Christmas 2012 in Disneyland

[lurpee]

Hello. We are planning a trip to Disneyland for a confirmed 32 people, but hoping for the full 41 family members! I am excited beyond my wildest dreams!

DD's 5th birthday is Christmas Eve so DH and I would like to arrive the 19th (remember, 2012) so we can spend time with ALL the family and not leave until the 26th. Some family will have to go home by the 23rd.

I have my local AAA Disney Expert looking into it for us but I was wondering if there were any advice on ANYTHING! Everyone except for my daughter has been before (I think at least) but we want to go all out for the three youngest girls (will be six, five and four).

How early should we book? Disney won't actually let us book until this Saturday at the earliest I think.

I swear the last time I was in DL there was a Princess Parlour but I cannot seem to find it on the website (last time I went I was with two girlfriends so that wasn't on my mind).

Any idea how quickly restaurants fill up for reservations?

And best tour for my grandparents--something with a lot of history!

I will take any and all advice!

Thank you!
Kerri

 

[Sherry E]

Hello, Kerri! Welcome!

I'm sure you'll get lots of great answers to your questions from other DIS'ers, but I wanted to invite you to join us over on the Disneyland at Christmas Time Superthread. Pay particular attention to Page 1 (Posts #1, #2 and #3), as that will give you a lot of general information on the holiday season at the Resort, along with links to blogs, Trip Reports, other threads and the many, many photos scattered throughout the thread!!!!

In fact, in the Table of Contents to the Superthread, you will notice a link to "Christmas Eve goodnight" photos (courtesy of DIS'er lapdwife) - the Christmas Eve goodnight is when many characters come out in front of the Main Street train station to wave goodnight right before Disneyland closes - in their pajamas and sleepwear!! It only happens on Christmas Eve.

I don't know if the holiday tour will be something you'd be interested in, as that's not exactly the tour with the most general Disneyland history, but the holiday tour gets rave reviews. There are links to info on that tour in the Superthread as well.

 

[lurpee]

That is exactly what I am looking for! And the tour sounds great actually! Apparently my grandpa was at WDW and was extremely moved after the fireworks and the snow. He REALLY wants to go at Christmas time. I will check it out. Thanks for the "directions"!

 

[lurpee]

So I am reading through the posts (which is awesome) and thought I would ask you this question:
If you were to plan a girl's 5th birthday at Disneyland on Christmas Eve--what would you do? Definitely ending with the characters saying good-night!
Thanks!
Kerri

 

[I❤MICKEY]

So I am reading through the posts (which is awesome) and thought I would ask you this question:
If you were to plan a girl's 5th birthday at Disneyland on Christmas Eve--what would you do? Definitely ending with the characters saying good-night!
Thanks!
Kerri

We celebrated my sons 3rd birthday in DL in June. We did the birthday party at the Plaza Inn. There are mixed reviews on the DISboard but we loved it. It is $15.99 per person and includes souvenir cup w/ lemonade, paper Mickey had, a create your own cake in a mickey container (mickey head cake, left ear frosting, right ear sprinkles). My son thought it was awesome. There is an MC named Pat E Cake. He was fabulous. Went to every table. Then the highlight was Mickey and Minnie came out. They sing happy birthday, make avconga line and each child has a few minutes to have their picture taken with them. There is a photographer there so you can use your photopass.

We are planning my other sons 1st birthday and it's going to be at his Grandmas. My older son said, "Why is Beckett's birthday party at Oma's?" I told him we could do his party next year at Oma's. He said, "Nah, I want to have a party with Mickey and Minnie again." While it won't be happening again next year I knew that he really must have loved it as he's still talking about it. A lot of people said the character breakfast was better option but we did both (the breakfast was the day before).

As you have a girl you may want to consider the BBB. She could have a princess makeover. And then perhaps a princess breakfast.

My son was wearing a birthday shirt and his button. While he didn't get anything free - he did get wished a happy birthday all day from both castmembers and guests.

 

[lurpee]

Thank you! What's the BBB?
Kerri

 

[TeddiBarra]

Wow, 41!

We're going to be there arriving on the 26th - 30th, with a group of 14 as it stands now.

Are you all going to be staying onsite? Or are you just looking to book via TWTC?

I would call Disney Dining there and talk to them about booking for such a very large meal and see if they have any special tips to help you. You can book 60 days in advance, and if you are in the beginning of that time frame you should have no problem. I just have no idea how well they can do 35-41 people.

Book the girls for the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique makeovers. They should love that, we did that ON my twins 5th birthday (12/19) and they had a blast. Consider prepurchasing Disney Princess dresses at the Disneystore (keep an eyeout for the Halloween sales) or TRU or wherever and you can save a pretty penny. You can make ressies there 60 days in advance.

Tour: Walk in Walt's Footsteps
Follow in the footsteps of the man whose vision, determination and creativity brought Disneyland Park to life: Walt Disney. Hear how Walt wove his personal history and obsessions into an innovative destination for the whole world to enjoy.
Call (714) 781-4400 to book your tour up to one month in advance

Have a magical trip!

 

[I❤MICKEY]

Thank you! What's the BBB?
Kerri

bippity boppity boutique

As I have boys I don't know too much about it (cost, location, etc). I know there are threads on the board that you could review. I bet there is also information on disneyland.com. I will say the little girls look darling walking around the park with their hair done and wearing princess dresses.

 

[TeddiBarra]

BBB= bibbidi bobbidi boutique. They book appointments for "makeovers" for girls (and boys).

Cost (verify there have been no increases this year)
$45 - hair style, makeup, keepsakes
$50- the above, plus for the birthday they get a birthday princess sash, and nail polish.
$200+- all the above, plus add the dress and shoes and crown and one accessory.

They also have a private photo session when they are done in the back of the boutique with some woodland critters in a lovely backdrop, plus a childsize Cinderella carriage that the girls can sit in and take pics in. They will LOVE it. Very

Get at least one (more if you can) character dining options in. I recommend Minnie's (it's the only one in Disneyland park, it's the least expensive. Breakfast only). In DCA they have Ariel's breakfast/lunch. Goofy's is the only one that offers Dinner character dining.

 

[LisainCalifornia]

Sounds like an amazing trip! I wanted to agree with Sherry--the Holiday Tour is wonderful. It is actually one of my very best Disney memories--and I have been there a lot! I took the Walt in Walt's Footsteps Tour this summer, and I found the Holiday Tour to be much more enjoyable.

If you do book soon at the DLR, just be sure to watch for sales that pop up when it gets closer to travel time (like 3 months out). If they have some kind of deal going (like 20-30% off, which is common throughout the seasons)--you can call them and ask them to adjust your rate. I have done it many times.

Have a great time!

 

[lurpee]

Wow, 41!

We're going to be there arriving on the 26th - 30th, with a group of 14 as it stands now.

Are you all going to be staying onsite? Or are you just looking to book via TWTC?

I would call Disney Dining there and talk to them about booking for such a very large meal and see if they have any special tips to help you. You can book 60 days in advance, and if you are in the beginning of that time frame you should have no problem. I just have no idea how well they can do 35-41 people.

Book the girls for the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique makeovers. They should love that, we did that ON my twins 5th birthday (12/19) and they had a blast. Consider prepurchasing Disney Princess dresses at the Disneystore (keep an eyeout for the Halloween sales) or TRU or wherever and you can save a pretty penny. You can make ressies there 60 days in advance.

Tour: Walk in Walt's Footsteps
Follow in the footsteps of the man whose vision, determination and creativity brought Disneyland Park to life: Walt Disney. Hear how Walt wove his personal history and obsessions into an innovative destination for the whole world to enjoy.
Call (714) 781-4400 to book your tour up to one month in advance

Have a magical trip!

We're doing 2012--are you doing 2011 or 2012? We have a lot of people to organize in Washington, Oregon and Wyoming!

That is an exceptional idea about the Halloween sales. Any idea if they let you do the pictures if you don't buy the accessories there?

I have no idea as to how we will do meals--I'm sure we will split up for a lot of it but I'd like to do one or two together. By the time we get to Christmas Eve/Christmas Day, about half of us will have gone home. That might make it easier!

Thank you for the ideas and help!

 

[lurpee]

Sounds like an amazing trip! I wanted to agree with Sherry--the Holiday Tour is wonderful. It is actually one of my very best Disney memories--and I have been there a lot! I took the Walt in Walt's Footsteps Tour this summer, and I found the Holiday Tour to be much more enjoyable.

If you do book soon at the DLR, just be sure to watch for sales that pop up when it gets closer to travel time (like 3 months out). If they have some kind of deal going (like 20-30% off, which is common throughout the seasons)--you can call them and ask them to adjust your rate. I have done it many times.

Have a great time!

I wouldn't have thought to do that! Do you just check up regularly on pricing after you've booked?

Thanks!

 

[Stefanie Peacock]

So, we are coming down on Christmas Eve! The kids have NO CLUE! They think we have to go out during Christmas for a Job interview that may move us to California! They are NOT happy about it!!!!!!!
HAHAHAHAHA
SO!!! We land on the 24th and are staying at the Disneyland Hotel until the 29th.
We also are having a Limo pick us up. My girls are going to FREAK OUT! They have always wanted to go in a Limo and I have always said, you have to be really important or have a lot of money to ride in a Limo and whenever they see one down town they freak out! ha ha So this is going to be HUGE!
We have worked it out with the limo company to put a sign in the window that says, "WELCOME PEACOCK KIDS! ARE YOU READY FOR DISNEYLAND?!" When they roll up. The kids are just going to die! LOL! We are super excited, never ever been during Christmas time. Last year we went for Halloween and it was wonderful, but I hear Christmas is even better!
So, I just started looking through everything and WOW! You all have spent so much time on this, I am SO GLAD I found this forum!!! YAY!!!!
Okay, well back to looking through everything and thanks to all of you for all the work and time you have placed into this for all of us who have never been during Christmas time.
I appreciate you guys!
Stef

 

[6Smiles]

Lurpee -

Welcome! We are celebrating my daughter's 8th birthday in December (she has no idea we will be in DL for her birthday) and our plan is a character meal and ordering her a princess cake. There is a cake thread on the boards with cakes you can order starting at $39.00. Also with the amount of people you have coming in you could see if the picnic option is available. More information along with the number to call is on the Disneyland special events page.

Kris

 

[lurpee]

Lurpee -

Welcome! We are celebrating my daughter's 8th birthday in December (she has no idea we will be in DL for her birthday) and our plan is a character meal and ordering her a princess cake. There is a cake thread on the boards with cakes you can order starting at $39.00. Also with the amount of people you have coming in you could see if the picnic option is available. More information along with the number to call is on the Disneyland special events page.

Kris

Thank you so much!

 

[Escape2Disney]

It sounds like it'll be a wonderful trip! Be sure to check in on the Who's Going In December thread http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2908240.

 

[ociana]

I thought trying to plan a trip for 9 of us was difficult, putting together that large a family sounds like a huge challenge! I bet this last 90 days until going are going to just fly by for you.

 

[lurpee]

It's funny to see how plans have changed since I first posted this. There are 15 of us booked, six that dropped out, And waiting to hear from the rest. Most of those that are booked will be from 12/13 to 12/18. My DH, two DD's and myself will be there from 12/14 - 12/25.

Many of us are planning on doing the Holiday Tour, I'm going to do the Walk in Walt's Footsteps by myself, we're doing BBB twice and we will be doing DD's 5th birthday at The Plaza Inn with a cake. we're also going to try and do the CP.

We have Mouse Expeditions holding us a spot on the night of the 16th for either WOC, Fantasmic or the fireworks and he will be our tour guide all day on Dec 23rd. We've ordered our PhotoPass+ and we are booking our airfare tomorrow. Also we're all at the Holiday Inn Express Main Gate.

The information from this forum has been invaluable! Thanks so much everyone!
Kerri

 

[ociana]

Sounds like you have a great plan put together!