Mini Reporter at Large, checking in again with some news from Downtown Disney:

"We were at Downtown Disney this afternoon and then back again this evening and we found that the driving pattern for exiting the parking lots has changed a bit. If you park in Lot 1 or 2, you may end up having to drive all the way down to Lot 3 to exit. If you are driving along the road closest to the AMC theatre and such, you can't make a left turn at the entrance/exit to Lot 2. Traffic shifts from two lanes to one just before the exit and then continues on heading toward Cirque Du Soleil. Drivers will either need to continue on to the next exit, which I believe is the exit/entrance to Lot 3, or after they pass the blocked exit, they can make the first left into the parking lot 2, move all the way across the parking lot to the exit/entrance to Lot 2. A right turn at the far end of the lot will take you out to the traffic light so you can exit the parking area. I'm guess this new pattern is in place for the heavier traffic expected for the holidays. The exit is only blocked with cones, so at this point, it doesn't appear to be a permanent change."

While at Downtown Disney, our intrepid reporter checked out a certain Jolly Old Elf who is now greeting guests, listening to their wish lists, and posing with them for photos in the evenings. It seems that the children aren't the only ones who can get a photo with the big guy:

"We took my 'grandchild' to get his picture taken with Santa. He was really good with all the kids and waiting in line. He got a couple of good licks in on some little girl's legs, but otherwise was a really good puppy." 

As a final note, the scrapbook store (Disney's Wonderful World of Memories) is still closed, despite having been expected to reopen by mid-November.