Disneyland at Christmas/Holiday Season Superthread #2 (Closed)

[Beee]

I just called DLR, and found out the hours during our stay:

Saturday, December 8th:
Extra Magic Hours - Disneyland
Disneyland 8 AM - MIDNIGHT
DCA 8 AM - 10 PM

Sunday, December 9th:
Extra Magic Hours - DCA
Disneyland 8 AM - MIDNIGHT
DCA 8 AM - 10 PM

Monday, December 10th:
Extra Magic Hours - DCA
Disneyland 9 AM - 9 PM
DCA 9 AM - 8 PM

Tuesday, December 11th:
Extra Magic Hours - Disneyland
Disneyland 9 AM - 9 PM
DCA 9 AM - 8 PM

Wednesday, December 12th:
Extra Magic Hours - DCA
Disneyland 9 AM - 11 PM
DCA 9 AM - 8 PM

Thursday, December 13th:
Extra Magic Hours - Disneyland
Disneyland
9 AM - 11 PM
DCA
9 AM - 8 PM

They still don't have any info on CP, but if I hear anything, I'll post.

thanks so much for this! we're in the parks from 9-13th so this is very helpful. So I take it that the EMH starts at 8am? We arrive from NZ (12 hour flight!) on the 9th and when I just told the Mr the hours he said he'll be at DL until midnight I imagine I will be heading back to the hotel after fantasmic!

Yesterday I booked dining for everything except goofy's kitchen on the Friday morning as that is too far out. I also changed my hotel booking to the AP rate and saved about $200 Still need to book the fantasmic dessert package and still thinking about whether to book the holiday tour - can someone remind me how much it costs for an adult? I am at the point where I've read so much over the last few months but can't remember where!

 

[Beee]

I'm a little confused, after posting I had a look at my rough schedule I have written up and worried that maybe with DCA closing at 8pm we would not have a chance to see WOC so I had a look at the current park hours on the disney site as they are much the same with DCA closing at 8 during the week. they have WOC scheduled at 8.15...how does this work if the park closes at 8??

 

[jkh1978]

I'm a little confused, after posting I had a look at my rough schedule I have written up and worried that maybe with DCA closing at 8pm we would not have a chance to see WOC so I had a look at the current park hours on the disney site as they are much the same with DCA closing at 8 during the week. they have WOC scheduled at 8.15...how does this work if the park closes at 8??

You can't get into line for a ride after 8, but the show still goes on. They only are quick to kick you out if there is a private or extra purchase party.

 

[Teknik_DC2]

Pretty excited that our Year of Disney is officially continuing. Earlier this week I booked our flights and Hotel for our Disneyland vacation. We visited WDW this past April and are very excited to return to our Home Park this December.

We last visited the DLR back in December of 2008 (you can read the trip report linked in my signature) prior to the bulk of the DCA construction and always planned to return the same time of year after the construction finished.

Anyways we will be in So-Cal from December 8th-16th. We will be spending 3 days at the DLR as well as a Day at Universal Studios, a day in Hollywood, a day at a Beach town, and possibly a drive down to Sea World.

I will be starting a Pre Trip Report soon. I'm just excited to return to the resort during Christmastime again.

 

[Escape2Disney]

thanks so much for this! we're in the parks from 9-13th so this is very helpful. So I take it that the EMH starts at 8am? We arrive from NZ (12 hour flight!) on the 9th and when I just told the Mr the hours he said he'll be at DL until midnight I imagine I will be heading back to the hotel after fantasmic!

EMH start one hour before official park opening. So if the park opens at 8, EMH would be at 7.

Pretty excited that our Year of Disney is officially continuing. Earlier this week I booked our flights and Hotel for our Disneyland vacation. We visited WDW this past April and are very excited to return to our Home Park this December.

We last visited the DLR back in December of 2008 (you can read the trip report linked in my signature) prior to the bulk of the DCA construction and always planned to return the same time of year after the construction finished.

Anyways we will be in So-Cal from December 8th-16th. We will be spending 3 days at the DLR as well as a Day at Universal Studios, a day in Hollywood, a day at a Beach town, and possibly a drive down to Sea World.

I will be starting a Pre Trip Report soon. I'm just excited to return to the resort during Christmastime again.

Nice! Be sure to check in on the "Who's Going in December?" Thread.

 

[Sherry E]

There's a new theme week beginning tomorrow morning, everyone, so if you have any last minute parade and/or fireworks photos to share, now is the time!!

Wow Sherry! That sounds SO incredible! You should be an author...or perhaps in marketing for Disney? teehee! I just HAVE to get there for Christmas now! Thanks a LOT! LOL

Here4mydisneyfix -

Thank you! You're not the first (or the second...or the third) person to tell me that I should be writing, especially for Disney. People have said it in my TR thread a lot, and also in the Christmas threads. I've been writing in some capacity or another since I was very young (I used to write the newsletters that were sent out to fans when I worked for Bret Michaels/Poison back in the '80s). However, I find that I can't write well or fluently unless I am passionate about the subject. If I am bored to tears by the material, I zone out and hit a wall.

So that means that writing about all things Disney - and especially about the holidays at Disneyland - would be ideal for me because I could combine my writing skills with my rampant photo-taking for articles! (Please hire me, Disney!!!!!!!! )

Anyway, yes, I know how to really talk up the holidays at DLR and get people in the spirit because it is something I personally love so much! You will love love love the holiday season in the parks too! Even if the line-up of events gets crazy next year (assuming there could be a Christmas party), it's still a wonderful time to be there.

No prob. I have been checking the Disney blog at least 10 times a day to check for updates on the candlelight precession. I figured I would help out considering what a great job you are doing keeping us up on all things Christmas at Disneyland. Thanks!

DisneylandPlanner -

Thank you for the kind words - I appreciate it! And again, thank you so much for posting the link about the ice rink here, in this thread. What I think sometimes happens is that people subscribe to this thread - and maybe they don't have time to follow more than a few threads on the DIS - for updates, news, info, discussion, photos or whatever. If a news item comes in and it's posted in a separate thread, those folks could easily miss it. So, whether there is a separate thread about a news item or not, it's always good to have the link here too!

I have the worst timing with seeing the news items when they first hit cyberspace. I was shocked that I got to the Thanksgiving dining blog before anyone else on the DIS (seemingly) did. Usually, I will go to the Disneyland Resort website or to the Parks Blog, or the the Disneyland News site, specifically scouting for info - and I find...nothing. No news. No scoops. No announcements.

Then, 15 minutes later, something will appear on the Blog or on the DLR site and someone will announce it here! So it definitely helps all of us here if we have lots of eyes and ears on alert for any bits of breaking holiday news!

Hey all!

Just finished calling to book the Holiday tour! I picked the early afternoon one, so I hope that's the right one to pick!

I also ordered Photopass Plus this morning. I think I'm all done with the planning part, so comes the waiting and the touring plans. LOL!

I'll have to catch up on this thread, I just popped in right now to share the good news.

30 day countdown, peeps!!!!

MyMuse -

I finally sent you a friend request on Facebook a while back!

Not sure this is news to anyone but me...but thought I'd share~~

Did the email dining reservations and I inquired about information for the dining packages for the Candlelight Processional and this is what was written back to me:

Dining Package Reservations and Annual Passholder registration for Candlelight Processional are scheduled to begin online in early November. Please continue to check the Disney Parks Blog at (disneyparksblog.com) or our Disneyland.com site for updates as they become available. If you are an Annual Passholder, you can register at Disneyland.com/ap to receive updates on this and other Annual Passholder opportunities.

Thank you, Laurie, for that info about the CP!

In a way I'm surprised because I thought that this unprecedented 20-night run of the CP (18 nights open to the general public) would have prompted DLR to get going a bit earlier with setting up the packages and letting people book them. On the other hand, I'm not too shocked because they allow people to book tours 30 days out. It sounds like they're doing the same thing with the CP too.

I still am not clear on what they're doing with the AP holders. This is a rhetorical question - I know that no one knows the answer - but are the AP holders getting free viewing from a designated spot (not seats, but viewing) while others can buy the packages with seats? Or, are the AP holders getting seats/packages too, but at a discounted rate? Whatever the case, I think that Disney should have released all the info at the 2-month point in this case, rather than one month out, simply because it's a new set-up, more or less.

I got mine yesterday, too! 3:15 for Nov 12. That was the final piece of reservations I had been waiting on.

TigerlilyAJ -

Your trip should be one of the most exciting ones we get to hear about - a Halloween tour, the Halloween party, a holiday tour, the Halloween season, the holiday season, a stay at the PPH and hopefully some lower crowds in between the 2 seasons! All in one trip! I'm excited for you! I can't wait for your trip to start.

 

[DizNee Luver]

Thank you, Laurie, for that info about the CP!

In a way I'm surprised because I thought that this unprecedented 20-night run of the CP (18 nights open to the general public) would have prompted DLR to get going a bit earlier with setting up the packages and letting people book them. On the other hand, I'm not too shocked because they allow people to book tours 30 days out. It sounds like they're doing the same thing with the CP too.

I still am not clear on what they're doing with the AP holders. This is a rhetorical question - I know that no one knows the answer - but are the AP holders getting free viewing from a designated spot (not seats, but viewing) while others can buy the packages with seats? Or, are the AP holders getting seats/packages too, but at a discounted rate? Whatever the case, I think that Disney should have released all the info at the 2-month point in this case, rather than one month out, simply because it's a new set-up, more or less.

I got the sense it would be the book at the 30 day mark, but with that said.....wouldn't it be better to put the information out there prior to needing to actually book?? All this secrecy is driving me crazy (of course, I'm not ever too far away from that)

And the AP part is a mystery as well. We'll just have one AP between the 8 of us.....so will I be able to book for my family or will I have to do something different.....ugh

 

[Halloweenqueen]

Quick little update on my holiday trip. My friend backed out of our November, girls only trip. I was pretty bummed, but my husband surprised me today and asked if I thought a post New Year's trip would work instead.

We LOVE quiet January trips, we understand how crowded 1/1-1/6 will be. But this time we decided to take a different type of trip. We are not going to concentrate on hitting the attractions. We are going with the mindset to enjoy the decorations and atmosphere. Plus (crossing both my fingers and toes) I may be marking something off the tip, top of my bucket list!

Well back to exploring the photos and great info on this wonderful thread!

 

[A Small World]

Im getting really excited as we recently booked a trip for December.

We got APs last December so just had to return for another trip.

We fly from UK on 1st Dec and fly home on 10th.

Looking forward to seeing the park all decorated again - I love Christmas and love DL so the combination of the 2 is wonderful.

We are eagerly awaiting information about the CP so we can plan meals and a couple on non disney days around this.

 

[Kauai4life]

Great photo's really gets you in the Spirit of Christmas

 

[DreamingofDaWorld]

Our extended family is going next month & I have LOVED reading through this thread.

 

[TigerlilyAJ]

TigerlilyAJ -

Your trip should be one of the most exciting ones we get to hear about - a Halloween tour, the Halloween party, a holiday tour, the Halloween season, the holiday season, a stay at the PPH and hopefully some lower crowds in between the 2 seasons! All in one trip! I'm excited for you! I can't wait for your trip to start.

Hey, don't forget the F! dessert seating! Thank you so much for the kind words and for even remembering all that in the first place! Your two holiday threads have really helped inform the trip and our plans, so thanks again for sharing all your experiences and thoughts.
Can you all believe that it is less than a month now until Holiday time at DLR? 2012 has flown by.

 

[tksbaskets]

Im getting really excited as we recently booked a trip for December.

We got APs last December so just had to return for another trip.

We fly from UK on 1st Dec and fly home on 10th.

Looking forward to seeing the park all decorated again - I love Christmas and love DL so the combination of the 2 is wonderful.

We are eagerly awaiting information about the CP so we can plan meals and a couple on non disney days around this.

Fun!

 

[Sherry E]

Halloween Time at Disneyland Resort is in full swing but, here in the Disneyland at Christmas/Holiday Season Superthread, it's Monday, and you know what that means.....



It’s time for the Weekly Monday Countdown!!!

...Only 28 Days Until the
Holiday Season Begins at Disneyland Resort!!!!​

And with the new week comes a new DLR holiday theme!!

As I’ve mentioned, I’ll be showcasing a particular area of interest of DLR's holiday celebration each week until the 2012 season officially begins on Monday, November 12th!! There are many more themes to come over the next month, including 4 main weekly themes every Monday, 6 ‘mini-themes’ which will be featured each day from 11/6 – 11/11, and a final ‘Miscellaneous’ theme on Monday, November 12th (with a catchier name than “Miscellaneous,” though!).

Theme Week Countdowns are a great way to keep the photos rolling in on a regular basis and build anticipation for 11/12! Also, this is a way to display the different aspects and details of the holidays at DLR that may be totally new to some people...or previously unnoticed/undiscovered by others.

Last week, we reveled in the pageantry of A Christmas Fantasy Parade and gazed in awe at the Believe…In Holiday Magic Fireworks. Prior to that we enjoyed the Yuletide season around the globe as we sailed through It’s a Small World Holiday. The week before that strolled through the mysterious, music-filled alleys of New Orleans Square, where Christmas is observed with Mardi Gras flair. The week before that we explored Jack Skellington’s twisted (though well-meaning) vision of bringing two holidays together in the Haunted Mansion Holiday ride. The week before that we visited the rustic holiday celebration at Santa’s Reindeer Round-Up. The week before that, we searched for signs of Christmas in California Adventure – a park that is sure to look very different this November. The week before that we soaked in the small town American charm of Main Street.



What’s next?

In the Spotlight this Week......

MICKEY’S TOONTOWN!!!​

Since 1993, Mickey’s Toontown has been a place that is easily dismissed as a playground “just for kids.” However, anyone who appreciates the famous attention to detail that Disneyland offers in all of its theme parks will agree that Toontown is one of the best places to enjoy those details.

Located in the far reaches of Disneyland, beyond the magical It’s a Small World Holiday, Mickey’s Toontown seems to be a long way to go for a bit of holiday cheer. But holiday cheer you will surely find if you care to visit this city made of exaggerated, slightly askew structures and shapes; signs, sight gags and inside jokes; talking inanimate objects; and bright, vivid colors. Toontown is wild. It’s wacky. It’s whimsical. It’s off-kilter. And it has its own special style of celebrating the season.

As Toontown is the place where Disney luminaries such as Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Goofy, Donald Duck and Chip & Dale reside, it will be no surprise to hear their familiar voices ‘singing’ Christmas songs as you stroll through the streets of this madcap world.

One of the first Christmas-y things to catch your eye is the town’s tree, adorned with oversized ornaments comprised of mostly primary & secondary colors (the older version of the tree was replaced with a newer, ‘cartoonish’ – and some may say less impressive - model in November 2011, but the overall concept is the same). But there are touches of the season everywhere you look. Roger Rabbit wears a Santa Claus suit in his cozy nook situated above the Car Toon Spin ride. Mickey and Minnie display trees on their lawns (Minnie’s tree features pink tones!). Decorations hanging from various Toontown ‘businesses’ bear symbols of the themes they represent, i.e., some of the Fire House ornaments are Dalmatian-spotted; there are letters/envelopes in the garland above the Post Office; there are daisies above Daisy’s Diner, etc. The details are absolutely amazing, and are just one of the elements that make Toontown such a special place in Disneyland all year long, but specifically from November to early January!


If you are visiting Disneyland Resort for the holiday season, don’t leave without paying a visit to Toontown!




Stay tuned for a new theme starting on Monday, October 22nd!! Some of my favorite themes are coming up in the next few weeks!

The former Toontown Christmas tree, in 2010 (the tree was switched for a ‘new’ tree in 2011 – hopefully someone will post photos of the newer version!)…

Mickey’s House/Tree (the tree was switched for a ‘new’ tree in 2011 – hopefully someone will post photos of the newer version!)…

Minnie’s House/Tree (the tree was switched for a ‘new’ tree in 2011 – hopefully someone will post photos of the newer version!)…

Goofy’s House…

Donald’s Boat…

Daisy’s Diner…

Pluto’s Dog House…

Fire House…

The Gym…

Post Office…

Five & Dime…

Bank...

​

Please feel free to post your holiday photos of Mickey’s Toontown all this week!

 

[mvf-m11c]

Here are my pictures from Mickey's Toontown of the Holiday decorations

City Hall

Town Hall Christmas Tree 2010

Daisy Diner

Minnie Mouse Christmas Tree 2010

Mickey Mouse Christmas Tree 2010

Donald Duck Wreath

Goofys Christmas Wreath

Five and Dime Store

And of course, we cant forget those plastic cartoonish trees from last year which I didn't like last year.

 

[Heymy]

Absolutely wonderful pics of Toontown. I realize we never made it there last year during the holidays. This will excite my girls and 73 year old father to no end....we'll have to drag them out kicking and screaming.

 

[MommyLove]

Toontown! So fun to see the pics. Thanks for sharing!

While I personally like Toontown (it gets such a bad rap, I think!) we had gone in September (when we got APs) and the kids spent plenty of time there. They were 9 and 11... kinda old for Toontown. So when we went in that first week of January I don't think we went in there at all! So... ZERO pics of Toontown from our Jan '09 trip, the only time we've ever been to DL during the Christmas decorations. I got nothin'!

I won't be making that mistake when we go this time.

 

[DizNee Luver]

A few from ToonTown last December!!

These were as the sun was going down and the lights were coming on:

Daytime:
Wasn't a fan of the plastic trees!!

 

[2prettyprincesses]

Wow! Those pictures are amazing of ToonTown! We didn't get to visit there our last trip but for will for sure this year!!

We were planning to go the weekend of the Holiday season but now I'm not sure how crowded it would be. Last year we went on the 20th of December and didn't think the crowds were that bad for some perspective.

 

[Mommy2PrincessAbby]

New Disney Parks blog is up about the holiday tour! We aren't doing the tour, because I can't imagine spending 3 hours in one... but I know some people love these!

From the blog:
The holidays are my favorite time of year at Disney Parks. The festive décor, special shows – and of course the seasonal snacks – all combine to create the most magical time of year, especially here at the Disneyland Resort. Whether it’s your first holiday time visit or your one hundredth, there’s always something new to see. A great way to experience all that the holidays are bringing to Disneyland park is with the Holiday Time at Disneyland Park Guided Tour. You’ll hear not only tales of the holidays from around the world, but you’ll also hear stories of the holidays from Disneyland history – plus you get a peek into the new holiday magic at Disney California Adventure park.

The tour also includes two popular holiday themed attractions*, reserved seating for “A Christmas Fantasy” Parade*, plus a delicious treat and warm beverage, a collectible pin and tour button.

Here are some things you should know about the Holiday Time at Disneyland Park Guided Tour:
•Tour is offered November 12 through January 6.
•The tour is approximately three hours long.
•Theme park admission for Disneyland park is required to attend the tour.
•Attractions and entertainment are subject to availability and may change without notice.