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

[danimaroo]

We returned from our trip yesterday and had the most magical time! We spent around 33 hours in the parks over a 2 1/2 day period, not counting time spent in Downtown Disney, so we hit things pretty hard.

I'm now paying for it as I have a sore throat and a pretty sore body.

Being a WDW vet and this being my first DL trip ever, I was very impressed and LOVED it.

WDW is still my home away from home, but we are going to be visiting DL at LEAST once per year, if not twice from here on out, and most definitely during the holiday season (but next time probably BEFORE Thanksgiving/December, or at least not during the CP).

I'll be writing a TR about it very soon (still wading through my 1500 photos I took), so maybe I'll post a link here once it's started.

 

[Celestine]

Hi! Our group of 5 will be on that tour as well.
I just noticed you're going the same dates as us from Canada too.

We're also NYE but at 1.15 , the other option was 1215. I'm guessing that would give us the earlier parade, but I don't know - did't realise they ran the tour 3 times/day!

Celestine

 

[funatdisney]

Hi all. Hubby and I went to DL for the weekend. I thought I would post a picture of the Candlelight t-shirts sold on event days. I did buy one for myself although we didn't attend the performance.

 

[pbbecker]

I just don't typically do many typical pictures on our trip and the idea of standing in line after rides at the ride photo booth sounds like no fun at all. I have only ever once bought a ride photo and that's cause my guys all made funny faces at once and it was just too perfect to pass up.

I was there last week and there were NO lines at any of the ride photo booths ever. If you have the card (which I didn't but wish I did have) maybe that would prompt your guys to plan on making more funny faces of different kinds on each ride. Just a thought.

 

[dalstitch45]

Sherry, did you notice ay of the demitasse cup desserts this year? I saw the pictures from last year... they look so cute. They are on my souvenier list; I hope they still have them! Thanks!

I had one today at the Jolly Holiday Bakery. Hope this helps.

 

[Avery's mom]

Hi all. Hubby and I went to DL for the weekend. I thought I would post a picture of the Candlelight t-shirts sold on event days. I did buy one for myself although we didn't attend the performance.

Did you happen to notice if the sweatshirt was a hoodie with a zipper or a pullover? My DH loves to get a pullover every trip, and I'd love to get him THIS one!!

Thanks!

 

[eeudj]

Just want to chime in that I booked the 3:15 Holiday Tour for NYE bright & early this morning! So excited!! Hopefully our tour guide has some Moses-like crowd parting skills!

Has anyone been on the tour this year with a mini review to share? I'm most interested in what (if anything) they do at DCA.

Hi all we will be there too : ) all th way from Texas surprising our kids Xmas morning with a trip

 

[funatdisney]

Did you happen to notice if the sweatshirt was a hoodie with a zipper or a pullover? My DH loves to get a pullover every trip, and I'd love to get him THIS one!!

Thanks!

Hi Avery's mom! I can't remember if it was a pull over or if was zippered. I think (I am not absolutely sure) it was a pullover. The other side has woman's shirts (curvy with a v-neck) and another item. There may be both. I was interested in the t-shirts. I have tons of jackets and sweaters from DL. I really don't need another.

Disney Parks Blog featured the design for Candlelight merchandise in one of their postings. Maybe they mentioned a list of items with the logo. You can read the posting by clicking on this link: Disney parks Blog 2012 Candlelight Ceremony Merchandise at Disneyland Park Hope that helps.

 

[funatdisney]

Oh I forgot to add the 2013 Sorcerer Mickey ornament I saw at the Acorn gift shop. The CM at the gift shop told me they have only been out for a week.

I didn't see this ornament at every shop that carried ornaments. May be a hard one to find but I think worth getting when you see. The ornaments at the Acorn gift shop were almost gone by the time I left the resort. I mean I bought two myself. (Sorcerer Mickey is my favorite and I have two Christmas trees)

 

[Crazy4Disney06]

Oh I forgot to add the 2013 Sorcerer Mickey ornament I saw at the Acorn gift shop. The CM at the gift shop told me they have only been out for a week.

I didn't see this ornament at every shop that carried ornaments. May be a hard one to find but I think worth getting when you see. The ornaments at the Acorn gift shop were almost gone by the time I left the resort. I mean I bought two myself. (Sorcerer Mickey is my favorite and I have two Christmas trees)

This is a cute ornament, however this was my pet peeve at WDW last year.. Why the next year's dates on so many ornaments?

 

[Bex258]

I'm getting super excited for my trip now, I have a hotel booked to be at the parks ready for opening and I have my photo pass plus ordered and one of my freinds is coming with me now (I thought it was going to be more fo a solo trip). going to see how many photo's I can get, my third day (and last day) is down as "Any missed shows/parades/rides plus photo and shopping day".

I keep checking back to try and pre order our World of Color picnic and January isn't showing up on the options yet but it's under 30 days, is that just Disney being slow?

Also if Fantasmic and the parades are not listed for the begining of January by now I take it they aren't showing? I don't mind missing Fantasmic as I've seen it at WDW but my freinds never been to any Disney parks and it would have been nice to show her. I kinda hoped we would still have a parade, just missing Santa and Mrs Claus or something considering we are going before the 6th. (I'm doing DCA 2nd, DL 3rd and both on 4th)

 

[Bex258]

Oh I forgot to add the 2013 Sorcerer Mickey ornament I saw at the Acorn gift shop. The CM at the gift shop told me they have only been out for a week.

I didn't see this ornament at every shop that carried ornaments. May be a hard one to find but I think worth getting when you see. The ornaments at the Acorn gift shop were almost gone by the time I left the resort. I mean I bought two myself. (Sorcerer Mickey is my favorite and I have two Christmas trees)

OOOh that looks nice, I'm glad theres some 2013 bits out already seeing as I'm there in the first couple of days of the new year, thanks for the picture.

 

[Eeee-va]

I keep checking back to try and pre order our World of Color picnic and January isn't showing up on the options yet but it's under 30 days, is that just Disney being slow?

It could be Disney being slow. I haven't heard of them discontinuing the picnics, and I actually think they're offering similar picnic packages for Fantasmic! seating in Disney's Hollywood Studios in WDW. But that said, it's POSSIBLE they could discontinue them. They already stopped selling one of the meals (the only one I was interested in trying! ) So now the only reason I personally would buy a picnic would be if I couldn't get to the park by 11 AM or so that day. World of Color Fastpasses are easy to come by nowadays and even on a busy day, I think you can get them?

Also if Fantasmic and the parades are not listed for the begining of January by now I take it they aren't showing? I don't mind missing Fantasmic as I've seen it at WDW but my freinds never been to any Disney parks and it would have been nice to show her. I kinda hoped we would still have a parade, just missing Santa and Mrs Claus or something considering we are going before the 6th. (I'm doing DCA 2nd, DL 3rd and both on 4th)

Disney is always slow in updating their calendars. Things are very much subject to change a month out so I wouldn't worry. I'm not sure if parades go down for a day or three to transition out from the Christmas parade to the regular parade? Either way, the 6th is still Christmastime if I recall correctly. And no promises, but Fantasmic! isn't scheduled to be down until the 7th. http://www.wdwinfo.com/disneyland/plan.htm#rehab

If the show isn't showing by the 6th suppose you could call the line for Fantasmic! dessert packages and ask if they're available on the 6th to confirm the show will be playing. Dining often has their schedules before the website.

Our Fantasmic! is more magical than WDW's, provided you can sit on the ground or stand, so I'd definitely see it if you can. Have a great trip!

 

[tylerandalexsmom]

Hey Sherry! In your photos from 11/12 in the merchandise photos (post 3451) you have a photo of a Christmas tshirt (red - says "The merriest place on Earth - 2012") Do you know if it was available in kids sizes (youth)? Or just Adults? Or does anyone else know?

So exicted - we will be there in 15 days!!!!!

 

[tksbaskets]

We returned from our trip yesterday and had the most magical time! We spent around 33 hours in the parks over a 2 1/2 day period, not counting time spent in Downtown Disney, so we hit things pretty hard.

I'm now paying for it as I have a sore throat and a pretty sore body.

Being a WDW vet and this being my first DL trip ever, I was very impressed and LOVED it.

WDW is still my home away from home, but we are going to be visiting DL at LEAST once per year, if not twice from here on out, and most definitely during the holiday season (but next time probably BEFORE Thanksgiving/December, or at least not during the CP).

I'll be writing a TR about it very soon (still wading through my 1500 photos I took), so maybe I'll post a link here once it's started.

Please post a link! We are WDW vets as well who now hold a special affection for DL. I'd live to share your trip.

 

[DSNY4ever]

We just got back a few days ago and had a wonderful trip. The Christmas decor was amazing as usual.

For others looking to do a special Santa photo with their kids I found the cutest spot to be at the Disneyland hotel. They had a fake little cookies and milk station and just a really pretty photo backdrop. The Grand Californian was pretty but too dark to get a good photo with your own camera.

The Jingle Jangle jamboree area was DARLING and there was barely anyone back there! We were able to walk the whole area and let our son see all the characters without rushing or feeling crowded. The character interaction there was great.

 

[Bex258]

It could be Disney being slow. I haven't heard of them discontinuing the picnics, and I actually think they're offering similar picnic packages for Fantasmic! seating in Disney's Hollywood Studios in WDW. But that said, it's POSSIBLE they could discontinue them. They already stopped selling one of the meals (the only one I was interested in trying! ) So now the only reason I personally would buy a picnic would be if I couldn't get to the park by 11 AM or so that day. World of Color Fastpasses are easy to come by nowadays and even on a busy day, I think you can get them?



Disney is always slow in updating their calendars. Things are very much subject to change a month out so I wouldn't worry. I'm not sure if parades go down for a day or three to transition out from the Christmas parade to the regular parade? Either way, the 6th is still Christmastime if I recall correctly. And no promises, but Fantasmic! isn't scheduled to be down until the 7th.

If the show isn't showing by the 6th suppose you could call the line for Fantasmic! dessert packages and ask if they're available on the 6th to confirm the show will be playing. Dining often has their schedules before the website.

Our Fantasmic! is more magical than WDW's, provided you can sit on the ground or stand, so I'd definitely see it if you can. Have a great trip!

Hmmm I liked the look of the meal (and the tote bag) I'll give it until next week and give up. We could get a fastpass but its a magic morning (one we can't take advantage of) and we will want RSR fast passes too. I figured the picnic would take the hassle out of trying to get both.

I'll try the number Fantasmic! desserts and see what I can find out, hopefully they don't charge too much for international calls...(or I won't tell my parents... ) sitting on the ground would be fine, I would do the actual dessert package but my freind and I are on a very tight budget.

Thanks and thanks for the help

 

[Avery's mom]

Hi Avery's mom! I can't remember if it was a pull over or if was zippered. I think (I am not absolutely sure) it was a pullover. The other side has woman's shirts (curvy with a v-neck) and another item. There may be both. I was interested in the t-shirts. I have tons of jackets and sweaters from DL. I really don't need another.

Disney Parks Blog featured the design for Candlelight merchandise in one of their postings. Maybe they mentioned a list of items with the logo. You can read the posting by clicking on this link: Disney parks Blog 2012 Candlelight Ceremony Merchandise at Disneyland Park Hope that helps.

Liza - thank you! I can't tell what the design is by the blog posting, however, I appreciate you posting the link! Just 12 days until we go!!

 

[funatdisney]

This is a cute ornament, however this was my pet peeve at WDW last year.. Why the next year's dates on so many ornaments?

It used to bother me, too. It doesn't anymore. I go to DL about 7 to 9 times a year. I go every December. If not for a weekend, then a day trip. I was in DL last weekend (the first of December). There was very few 2012 merchandise. No ornaments though. The 2012 merchandise they had was hard to find. I have learned to buy my dated items I really want (mainly pins, ornaments and/or mugs) as soon as I see them. If I didn't, come the end of November and the item(s) I wanted were sold out or in very limited supply. Many times I would go on a wild goose chase looking for a item that I heard from a CM was in the DLH gift shop, going out of my way to be sure I could buy it.

I could find the dated pin by trade. I could go on ebay and hopefully find the other items I want. But when it comes to the ornaments, I rather get them in December to be sure I have them in my collection. I know this approach wouldn't work for everyone, but it certainly works for me.

OOOh that looks nice, I'm glad theres some 2013 bits out already seeing as I'm there in the first couple of days of the new year, thanks for the picture.

It was funny in the DLH gift had a table half with 2012 merchandise and the other half with 2013 merchandise. It was nice to compare side by side the differences in design between the two years. A CM said he thinks the theme for 2013 was Sorcerer Mickey. i hope. He's my favorite.

BTW, it seems to me if you want to get a limited item or an item in low supply go to the hotel gift shops. Sometimes they will have them. I know that is true with the Holiday Hotel pins. This year's pins came out on Nov 8. They should have sold out by now (LE 500), but there they were in the hotel gift shops. They must have put some aside for guests that visit for Christmas. You can ask a CM working in a shop to call the gift shop to ask if they have the item you want.

Anyway my two bits.

Liza - thank you! I can't tell what the design is by the blog posting, however, I appreciate you posting the link! Just 12 days until we go!!

Your are welcome. You should have a blast! Safe travels.

 

[Sherry E]

I think I'm going to be doing a call-in show about the 2012 DLR holiday season with the Unplugged Podcast team (or at least a couple of them) tomorrow night (unless plans have changed). We did a similar show for Halloween Time.

Tom/ImTooExcitedToSleep will probably post the phone number to call in, if he has not done so already. Stay tuned for that! We'll be taking specific questions about the season and doling out pearls of Disneyland holiday wisdom to the masses!

​

We just got back a few days ago and had a wonderful trip. The Christmas decor was amazing as usual.

For others looking to do a special Santa photo with their kids I found the cutest spot to be at the Disneyland hotel. They had a fake little cookies and milk station and just a really pretty photo backdrop. The Grand Californian was pretty but too dark to get a good photo with your own camera.

The Jingle Jangle jamboree area was DARLING and there was barely anyone back there! We were able to walk the whole area and let our son see all the characters without rushing or feeling crowded. The character interaction there was great.

I deleted one of your posts, as it was a duplicate!


As you may recall, I posted a detailed explanation about all 5 Santa locations (complete with a reference to the milk and cookies) in this thread within the last couple of weeks (it was after 11/12), and I then posted photos of all 5 locations (including the Jingle Jangle Jamboree spot) to show the differences.

The Disneyland Hotel spot is more elaborate, for sure, but as I explained it is inconsistent as far as PhotoPass photographers. Sometimes there is one there; sometimes there is not. The GCH Santa always has a PhotoPass person.

I agree - the decorations this year are amazing, but only some of them are "usual"! The DCA decorations add in a whole new layer to things (and more "themes" for my Theme Week Countdown of 2013!).

​

It used to bother me, too. It doesn't anymore. I go to DL about 7 to 9 times a year. I go every December. If not for a weekend, then a day trip. I was in DL last weekend (the first of December). There was very few 2012 merchandise. No ornaments though. The 2012 merchandise they had was hard to find. I have learned to buy my dated items I really want (mainly pins, ornaments and/or mugs) as soon as I see them. If I didn't, come the end of November and the item(s) I wanted were sold out or in very limited supply. Many times I would go on a wild goose chase looking for a item that I heard from a CM was in the DLH gift shop, going out of my way to be sure I could buy it.

I could find the dated pin by trade. I could go on ebay and hopefully find the other items I want. But when it comes to the ornaments, I rather get them in December to be sure I have them in my collection. I know this approach wouldn't work for everyone, but it certainly works for me.



It was funny in the DLH gift had a table half with 2012 merchandise and the other half with 2013 merchandise. It was nice to compare side by side the differences in design between the two years. A CM said he thinks the theme for 2013 was Sorcerer Mickey. i hope. He's my favorite.

BTW, it seems to me if you want to get a limited item or an item in low supply go to the hotel gift shops. Sometimes they will have them. I know that is true with the Holiday Hotel pins. This year's pins came out on Nov 8. They should have sold out by now (LE 500), but there they were in the hotel gift shops. They must have put some aside for guests that visit for Christmas. You can ask a CM working in a shop to call the gift shop to ask if they have the item you want.

Anyway my two bits.



Your are welcome. You should have a blast! Safe travels.

I merged your posts together. We have a very limited number of pages left in this thread before I have to switch us to the new thread (only for the sake of reaching our page limit in this one - not for any other reason), and I am trying to make sure we get as much mileage as possible out of these last 8 pages - meaning no double posts, merging when necessary, etc.