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johntp
Trad climber
socal
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Dec 19, 2012 - 08:51pm PT
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This is actually not a bad deal if it is an individual cabin.
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Fossil climber
Trad climber
Atlin, B. C.
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Dec 19, 2012 - 08:51pm PT
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The Bracebridge dinner is very pricey and equally awesome. A once-in-a-lifetime dinner theater experience. Usually reserved years ahead. Started by Ansel Adams, way back. Cindy and I played “villagers” (as John M describes) in ‘60 or so, then we were privileged to play “Visiting Squire and Lady” at head table in ‘08. Could never have afforded it otherwise. Royal and Liz had that great opportunity earlier.
They costume and make up the Visiting couple to the teeth. Cindy looked magnificent. I looked like Mrs. Doubtfire with the makeup and that brocade robe. Done again, I’d opt for tights and a tunic.
The food and wines are remarkable and endless, the music is superb, staging and costumes unbelievable, service incredible, comedy appropriate to the age, and of course the Ahwahnee dining room is awesome in its Christmas decor. (You should probably not try any new routes on the rock pillars during the event, as your formal dress will be too confining. Besides, Herbie Swedlund probably nailed all the FAs years ago when he worked there.)
To get a good idea you can Google Welcome to the Bracebridge Dinner website. Hit the media button and check out the videos and photos. (Cindy and I show up on the right on IMG 9821 jpg.)
Yeah, it’s unforgiveable luxury, but nice to experience just once before you declare bankruptcy.
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Fish Finder
Social climber
THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART
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Topic Author's Reply - Dec 19, 2012 - 08:52pm PT
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Thanks for the suggestion John but I already tried and they wont help, they have empty spots at all the other dates and shows and off site lodging that they shuttle you in from.
Yes individual cabin for 2
Im closer to poor than rich, I just dabble in the High Life
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Toker Villain
Big Wall climber
Toquerville, Utah
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Dec 19, 2012 - 08:55pm PT
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Its pretty cool. They even get some of the park employees to dress up in rags and beg at the windows.
Having trouble picking the best response;
1) Do we get to tase them?
2) Xmas bonuses at the Dept. of the Interior suck!
3) Do they take stamped cans?
4) And this is different from other nights how?
5) Who do they think they are, climbers?
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nita
Social climber
chica de chico, I don't claim to be a daisy.
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Dec 19, 2012 - 08:55pm PT
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Melissa, Bracebridge dinners have always been expensive....The Bracebridge dinner is the only place i have seen a man wearing a full legnth mink coat.....dandy fancy boy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rnKRbEPbItE
I personally think staying in the cabins is nicer than the hotel...well, @ least in the spring, summer & fall...
edit for below ..., Hey,,Sally...Merry Christmas...(-;
I didn't do the math...I meant.. 6 or more years of doing Bracebridge dinners...Yowza...that's alot of dinners... Sally- when we first started working them, wasn't it only three a season?...Then it went to 5 a season.
ps... bitd..., Ansel Adams sat at the head table, along with Nic Fiore.
Dang, just remembered ..that the Musical Director, Eugene Fulton, had a heart attack and died the first night of the 1979 performance.
another year, the court jester caught the rug on fire.
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Rockin' Gal
Trad climber
Boulder
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Dec 19, 2012 - 09:03pm PT
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I worked as a waitress for 25 or so Bracebridge dinners. They are full-scale professional pageants that feature the Lord Bracebridge hosting an opulant dinner in the manor. When Nita and I were there, the singers and strolling minstrels were from the San Francisco opera. I remember an amazing tenor singing "O Holy Night" and I swear, everyone standing fell to their knees. BITD we had 3 or 5 performances per season, now there's what, 20?. I still have some menus from the late 70s.
I've always wanted to see one of the productions from the other side of the table. The Ahwahnee cottages are charming, and not tent cabins.
I'm going to look into plane flights.
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johntp
Trad climber
socal
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Dec 19, 2012 - 09:03pm PT
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Post this on the sierra club forum (if there is such a thing; I don't know). Gotta be some Bay area people that would jump on this if you can find the right place to list it.
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stevep
Boulder climber
Salt Lake, UT
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Dec 19, 2012 - 09:32pm PT
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Yeah, I don't know that I could justify the coin for the cabin, but the Bracebridge dinner has certainly been on my bucket list of things to do.
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Ricky D
Trad climber
Sierra Westside
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Dec 19, 2012 - 09:40pm PT
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Probably too late now - but earlier in the month, you can see the Bracebridge sans food by lurking the dining hall during a midday full dress rehearsal. Just keep ordering lattes and you're good to go.
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Risk
Mountain climber
Olympia, WA
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Dec 19, 2012 - 09:47pm PT
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The cost was $2300.
That seems totally legit. If it was feasible for me, I would do it. Whoever is the lucky bidder will never forget it and will (almost) never recall the cost.
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Mighty Hiker
climber
Vancouver, B.C.
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Dec 19, 2012 - 09:50pm PT
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Apparently Mrs. & Mr. Fossilclimber are on the right at back.
One of the fancy hotels in Vancouver does something similar, which is said to be quite a hoot.
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Karl Baba
Trad climber
Yosemite, Ca
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Dec 19, 2012 - 09:58pm PT
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I was 20 years old when I worked as a lobby porter at the Ahwahnee. I got my parents into Bracebridge Dinner for about $100 each and one of the top floor suites for $75. (back then, all the rooms were the same price)
"I remember an amazing tenor singing "O Holy Night" and I swear, everyone standing fell to their knees." It's true!!! Still sticks with me (hearing it from the door) as one of the amazing vocal performances I've ever heard.
Andrea Fulton was the music director and reputed to be bossy so people often referred to her as the "Bracebitch"
Peace
Karl
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Fish Finder
Social climber
THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART
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Topic Author's Reply - Dec 20, 2012 - 10:23am PT
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I love puns bump!
"Gregg, maybe these guys don't fully understand it's at the Awahnee not to be confused with the the Ahwahnee!"
" Good luck CM, this is just the type of gift some rich bastard is looking to find last minute!"
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Sierra Ledge Rat
Mountain climber
Old and Broken Down in Appalachia
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Dec 20, 2012 - 10:30am PT
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I am dying to spend Christmas at the Awahnee Hotel... but I would have needed more time to arrange for the time off for this year.
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10b4me
Boulder climber
Somewhere on 395
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Dec 20, 2012 - 10:37am PT
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I've always wanted to see that production.
Too bad I'm not a single female :-)
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Vitaliy M.
Mountain climber
San Francisco
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Dec 20, 2012 - 11:03am PT
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will sleep in my car instead
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JLP
Social climber
The internet
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Dec 20, 2012 - 11:11am PT
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It all seems so contrived. I think if this is what I wanted out of an evening, I'd fly to Paris or somesuch instead.
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happiegrrrl
Trad climber
www.climbaddictdesigns.com
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Dec 20, 2012 - 11:26am PT
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So all the single girls out there who think they might want to enjoy a Yosemite Christmas
If I hadn't already accepted an invitation from a friend, I would maybe be like "me! me!" But you would have to add a bunch of hours driving to come pick me up, be okay with being seen with a woman in simple black dress pants and a pretty shirt but wearing approach shoes or Keens, agree to smuggle Teddy into the room, and agree to be a gentleman not expecting....a gratuity.
On a serious note:
It does sound like a fun thing to do, and yeah - the eBay might be the way to go.
Maybe consider donating the proceeds as a charitable fundraising thing to your pet charity? You would probably be able to write off the expense. That would also take some of the sting out of mot recouping your entire outlay if that occurred, as it would be a wonderful gift for someone, as well as a way to support your charity.
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sempervirens
climber
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Dec 20, 2012 - 11:28am PT
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This is just my opinion after being a waiter for many of these performances. It's Over-priced, over-hyped with mediocre food. Some of the food was good and some was not.
At the end of one performance the cheif fat lady, yeah Andrea was her name, bear hugged me and planted a huge lipstick kiss on my lips. I was a bit stunned and not sure if I had been violated.
Sorry for the cynicism, but I thought the whole affair was schlocky.
The cabins, we called them bungalows I think, were very nice as I recall. As a room service waiter I relished the challenge of getting the hot food out to the bungalows through the rain and snow. But I often failed, I'm sure.
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paul roehl
Boulder climber
california
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Dec 20, 2012 - 11:44am PT
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One of the most beautiful moments I've ever experienced was at the Awahnee one Christmas. We didn't go to the Bracebridge Dinner but sat in the Great Room listening to the San Francisco Opera Company accompanied by one pianist sing opera's greatest hits. It was snowing outside, the fireplaces were roaring, the wine was flowing; it was damned amazing.
If I could take the time off I'd buy those tickets in a flash.
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