Disneyland at Christmas/Holiday Season Superthread #2 (Closed) - Page 245 - The DIS Discussion Forums

tksbaskets · 12-11-2012, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by madbaby

Thank you! We are WDW fans but have never been to DL. Might as well start on the busiest day of the year right?!

You'll be fine! DL is a blast and IMO much more doable during the jammed packed holiday season. So easy to go back and forth between parks. No long times waiting for a bus to the park/hotel. Hotels just a 5 minute walk away for a mid-day respite. DL is the most wonderful of places. Sounds like you are prepared for the crowds. With realistic expecations fun follows!!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by luvslikepi

DisBaby's First Trip to Disneyland...at Christmastime...trip report now fully active!

http://www.disboards.com/showthread....4#post46902284

So glad you posted your link!

tylerandalexsmom · 12-11-2012, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luulu1999

I really wish I could have kept ours a secret but I just couldn't lol

Yes it's getting harder and harder to keep it a secret!

StyledSugar · 12-11-2012, 11:35 PM

We kept our last trip a secret and it was fantastic!! The kids knew we were going to DL but they thought we were leaving a month later. The only reason we told them anything is because they are old enough to earn their own spending money and we wanted them to save a little bit. It was the best decision ever and so magical when they found out. Have fun!!

One thing I love right now -- seeing my ticker show ONE WEEK....and then six days. But I'm down to the ONE WEEK part!! lol So excited!

NMDisneyMom · 12-12-2012, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tylerandalexsmom

Yes it's getting harder and harder to keep it a secret!

I completely agreee with this statement. I've managed to keep this a secret from DD for months, and I'm afraid I will be the one to blow the surprise.

I'm getting things ready for Christmas morning, but boy ... it's getting harder and harder by the day. 19 days and counting and we will be there.

danimaroo · 12-12-2012, 11:59 AM

Just throwing it out there that I've started a TR for my very first visit to Disneyland ever, and even better, for my birthday and seeing Christmas at a Disney park for the first time!

It was an amazing trip and I enjoyed Disneyland immensely as someone who has been to Disney World 4 times...

Here are a few photos I took, and there is a link to my TR in my signature!

Thanks again to this thread for giving us so many awesome pieces of information, it all helped greatly during our trip!

Mommy2PrincessAbby · 12-12-2012, 02:16 PM

I am up to Day 2 of my trip report if anyone wants to check it out... not picture heavy as I was too busy taking things in to be staring thru a lens...

http://www.disboards.com/showthread....622245&page=10

Sherry E · 12-12-2012, 04:42 PM

I'm back! I'm back! I'm back! Woo hoo!

(I hope that no one was horribly misbehaving while I was gone.

)

Anyone who happened to follow my TR from my fiasco of a December 2011 trip (see the "Aunt Betty..." link in my signature below) knows that I ended up crying uncontrollably on a bench in California Adventure. This trip that just ended today was supposed to be a do-over...a chance to have the trip that I was supposed to have...a chance to have a nice Christmas trip to make up for the horrible one last year.

So, here are some highlights:

1. I GOT AN AWESOME SEAT FOR THE CANDLELIGHT PROCESSIONAL - not once but TWO nights in a row!!!

I saw it twice! I got lucky and there were lots of no-shows for both nights. (I can tell you all exactly where to stand and when to try to get seats if you didn't win the AP lottery - if you're interested.)

I loved loved loved the CP. Oh my goodness...the lighting...the singers...the soloists...the songs... Pure Christmas glory. If you are a fan of Christmas and are connected in any way to the more spiritual side of it, the CP is for you! I am sooooooooooo glad I decided to try to see it. It is simply beautiful (and yes, of course, I took pictures)!;

2. I had a major celebrity sighting in DCA yesterday - Gwen Stefani and her super-hot husband, Gavin!! They were just a few feet away from me. This was the first A-List celebrity I've ever seen at DLR (I've seen B-List and below). Gwen walks with a strut, and was rockin' the red lips and gray pants/black tank top;

3. I ate peppermint ice cream (in a cone!), peppermint bark, gingerbread cookies, a peppermint bark Dazzler at Haagen Dazs and several Earl of Sandwich sandwiches (beware - before everyone gets excited about EoS, make sure to check your order before you leave because they make mistakes! They made two big mistakes in the visits I made over the last few days);

4. Did I mention that I love love loved the Candlelight Processional, and that Lou Diamond Phillips was very charming and engaging?;

5. I got to see Laurie/DizNee Luver this morning at Surf's Up, and Liza/funatdisney joined us as well - it's always a treat to see those ladies!;

6. As usual, I took photos galore (not so many of Cars Land and Buena Vista Street this time, because I got tons of photos of those two lands in November [see link in signature below])! I love taking photos! On the first day I was not my usual self and felt kind of 'off,' but by Day 2 I got my photo groove back and I was on a roll! I have plenty of material for the Theme Week Countdown of 2013!; and

7. I got another free upgrade to a park view room at the PPH (third year in a row for a free upgrade)!

(I love the PPH Christmas tree so much.)

Also - a merchandise tip: If you are a holiday merchandise nut, this year is the first year for this line of amazing Mickey Mouse nutcrackers. They are fantastic (of course I took photos but I have not loaded my photos from the camera yet). BUT - one of them (the Santa Mickey nutcracker) is selling like hotcakes (whatever that means), and is flying off the shelf. Both Acorn Gifts and Goods and the China Closet are sold out of the Santa Mickey nutcracker, but there are still some left at the Disney Showcase store on Main Street (as of this morning). The whole line of nutcrackers is awesome - there is even a Pirate Mickey nutcracker - but the Santa one is in hot demand. So IF you see it on the shelf somewhere at DLR this month and you think "I'll get it later," don't wait! Get it right away!

And you can bet that, in the tradition of my usual epic December TR's, I will be doing another one! Stay tuned!

(And go see the Candlelight Processional if you get the chance!)

KCmike · 12-12-2012, 05:46 PM

Congrats Sherry!! Can't wait to see some of those photos. I can't imagine seeing the CP down mainstreet. We plan on going back next year at Christmas time and the rumors of it being moved to the Hyperion Theater sadden me. I think I would be moved to tears to hear the Story of Jesus birth while in my Happiest Place on Earth! I'm glad you had a great time. I will be lurking till you post some photos. I have 365 days to plan now!

abent · 12-12-2012, 10:57 PM

Sherry, so glad you are back with all the great info! We leave in 2 days! Any helpful info for CP would greatly be appreciated!

Eeee-va · 12-13-2012, 12:41 AM

Congratulations, Sherry! You definitely deserved a good view and I'm so glad you had such a great trip!

StyledSugar · 12-13-2012, 01:06 AM

Sounds like you had a great trip Sherry! Can't wait to see your pictures, especially of the nutcrackers. My son loves nutcrackers so I'm sure he'll be ready to hunt one down while we're there!

kandyk · 12-13-2012, 01:16 AM

Sherry- I would love to hear some more details about getting seating for CP. I'm glad your trip went well and I'm looking forward to seeing your pictures. Only six more days for us.

kerickson · 12-13-2012, 01:30 AM

Add a Disney Nutcracker to my souvenir list - Check! Thanks for the tip Sherry! Hopefully they have some left when we arrive on the 23rd!

tksbaskets · 12-13-2012, 09:33 AM

Sherry I think we all behaved

Quote:

Originally Posted by StyledSugar

We kept our last trip a secret and it was fantastic!! The kids knew we were going to DL but they thought we were leaving a month later. The only reason we told them anything is because they are old enough to earn their own spending money and we wanted them to save a little bit. It was the best decision ever and so magical when they found out. Have fun!!

One thing I love right now -- seeing my ticker show ONE WEEK....and then six days. But I'm down to the ONE WEEK part!! lol So excited!

How exciting! We are leaving for WDW about the same time you are.

Quote:

Originally Posted by danimaroo

Just throwing it out there that I've started a TR for my very first visit to Disneyland ever, and even better, for my birthday and seeing Christmas at a Disney park for the first time!

Great pictures! I'm heading over next to sub into your trip report. You need to stalk KCmike and the other great photographers on these boards and add your photographs to the Disneyland Resort Picture of the day thread.

Quote:

Originally Posted by KCmike

Congrats Sherry!! Can't wait to see some of those photos. I can't imagine seeing the CP down mainstreet. We plan on going back next year at Christmas time and the rumors of it being moved to the Hyperion Theater sadden me. I think I would be moved to tears to hear the Story of Jesus birth while in my Happiest Place on Earth! I'm glad you had a great time. I will be lurking till you post some photos. I have 365 days to plan now!

You've planned your next trip! You'll find with college aged offspring that Christmas break is an excellent time to cherish time together.

focusondisney · 12-13-2012, 11:31 AM

Sherry, I'm so glad you finally got to see the Candlelight Processional. You certainly deserved that bit of Pixie Dust! It really is amazing so I'll repeat your advice: go see it if you get the chance. No description can do justice to the feeling you get watching all the performers file in.

12-11-2012, 11:35 PM	#3663
StyledSugar Love The Mouse Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 292	We kept our last trip a secret and it was fantastic!! The kids knew we were going to DL but they thought we were leaving a month later. The only reason we told them anything is because they are old enough to earn their own spending money and we wanted them to save a little bit. It was the best decision ever and so magical when they found out. Have fun!! One thing I love right now -- seeing my ticker show ONE WEEK....and then six days. But I'm down to the ONE WEEK part!! lol So excited! __________________ DLR: 1980, 1985, 1987, February 2006, September 2010, October-November 2011, Upcoming.....Christmas 2012 My wonderful family: DH Me DD 14 DS 9

12-12-2012, 11:59 AM	#3665
danimaroo DIS Veteran Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 1,322	Just throwing it out there that I've started a TR for my very first visit to Disneyland ever, and even better, for my birthday and seeing Christmas at a Disney park for the first time! It was an amazing trip and I enjoyed Disneyland immensely as someone who has been to Disney World 4 times... Here are a few photos I took, and there is a link to my TR in my signature! Thanks again to this thread for giving us so many awesome pieces of information, it all helped greatly during our trip! __________________ Current TR: I'M JUST SHOWBOATIN' AROUND THE WORLD!.. and getting pooped on. Jan '13 TR! "Adults are only kids grown up, anyway." Our January 2013 Disney World Trip Video! DL TR: The Wettest, Merriest, and Happiest Birthday/First Visit Nov/Dec. 2012 TR! \| WDW/DL PTR: Double the Anniversaries, Double the Fun! Jan 2013 \| WDW TR: "Norway? More like No Way!" Seattle Goobers' Jan 2012 TR! \| WDW PTR: Married Seattle Goobers Are Back For One Epic Anniversary Trip! Jan 2012 Find me on instagram: dmags \| Find me on twitter: dani_maroo

12-12-2012, 02:16 PM	#3666
Mommy2PrincessAbby DIS Veteran Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Oregon Posts: 1,626	Trip report started! I am up to Day 2 of my trip report if anyone wants to check it out... not picture heavy as I was too busy taking things in to be staring thru a lens... http://www.disboards.com/showthread....622245&page=10 __________________ hubby and I & princess Abby (8 y.o.) Two trips as a kid, stayed off-site. Oct '07, 4 days @ DLH, dh, dd & I. May '08, 5 days "girls only trip" @ GCH dm, dd & I. May '09, 6 days @ DLH, dh, dd & I. October '10, 5 day trip, dd and I @ PPH. And 6 days--December 5-10, 2012 for all 3 of us!

12-12-2012, 04:42 PM	#3667
Sherry E Willing victim of the Disney Snowball Effect... Okay so after a coffee and lunch break I am back! Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 13,453	I'm back! I'm back! I'm back! Woo hoo! (I hope that no one was horribly misbehaving while I was gone. ) Anyone who happened to follow my TR from my fiasco of a December 2011 trip (see the "Aunt Betty..." link in my signature below) knows that I ended up crying uncontrollably on a bench in California Adventure. This trip that just ended today was supposed to be a do-over...a chance to have the trip that I was supposed to have...a chance to have a nice Christmas trip to make up for the horrible one last year. So, here are some highlights: 1. I GOT AN AWESOME SEAT FOR THE CANDLELIGHT PROCESSIONAL - not once but TWO nights in a row!!! I saw it twice! I got lucky and there were lots of no-shows for both nights. (I can tell you all exactly where to stand and when to try to get seats if you didn't win the AP lottery - if you're interested.) I loved loved loved the CP. Oh my goodness...the lighting...the singers...the soloists...the songs... Pure Christmas glory. If you are a fan of Christmas and are connected in any way to the more spiritual side of it, the CP is for you! I am sooooooooooo glad I decided to try to see it. It is simply beautiful (and yes, of course, I took pictures)!; 2. I had a major celebrity sighting in DCA yesterday - Gwen Stefani and her super-hot husband, Gavin!! They were just a few feet away from me. This was the first A-List celebrity I've ever seen at DLR (I've seen B-List and below). Gwen walks with a strut, and was rockin' the red lips and gray pants/black tank top; 3. I ate peppermint ice cream (in a cone!), peppermint bark, gingerbread cookies, a peppermint bark Dazzler at Haagen Dazs and several Earl of Sandwich sandwiches (beware - before everyone gets excited about EoS, make sure to check your order before you leave because they make mistakes! They made two big mistakes in the visits I made over the last few days); 4. Did I mention that I love love loved the Candlelight Processional, and that Lou Diamond Phillips was very charming and engaging?; 5. I got to see Laurie/DizNee Luver this morning at Surf's Up, and Liza/funatdisney joined us as well - it's always a treat to see those ladies!; 6. As usual, I took photos galore (not so many of Cars Land and Buena Vista Street this time, because I got tons of photos of those two lands in November [see link in signature below])! I love taking photos! On the first day I was not my usual self and felt kind of 'off,' but by Day 2 I got my photo groove back and I was on a roll! I have plenty of material for the Theme Week Countdown of 2013!; and 7. I got another free upgrade to a park view room at the PPH (third year in a row for a free upgrade)! (I love the PPH Christmas tree so much.) Also - a merchandise tip: If you are a holiday merchandise nut, this year is the first year for this line of amazing Mickey Mouse nutcrackers. They are fantastic (of course I took photos but I have not loaded my photos from the camera yet). BUT - one of them (the Santa Mickey nutcracker) is selling like hotcakes (whatever that means), and is flying off the shelf. Both Acorn Gifts and Goods and the China Closet are sold out of the Santa Mickey nutcracker, but there are still some left at the Disney Showcase store on Main Street (as of this morning). The whole line of nutcrackers is awesome - there is even a Pirate Mickey nutcracker - but the Santa one is in hot demand. So IF you see it on the shelf somewhere at DLR this month and you think "I'll get it later," don't wait! Get it right away! And you can bet that, in the tradition of my usual epic December TR's, I will be doing another one! Stay tuned! (And go see the Candlelight Processional if you get the chance!) __________________ Christmas Time Trip Reports "The Evil Chair & The Peppermint Cone of Death - A 2010 Christmas Tale" (begins on Page 83/Post #1244; ends on Page 110/Post #1641) "Aunt Betty's Weepy, Wacky, Wonderful Christmas Trip to Disneyland- Dec. 2011" (begins on Page 189/Post #2825; ends on Page 213/Post #3181) CHRISTMAS PHOTOS OF CARS LAND & BUENA VISTA ST. - 11/12/12 (begins on Page 222/Post #3328; ends on Page 231/Post #3464) "Candlelight & Cannonballs! (MANY MARDI GRAS MASK PICTURES!) -12/9/12 - 12/12/12" - begins on Page 235/Post #3524 (in progress!) Halloween Time Trip Reports "The Return of the Masked Mouse & His Diabolical Twin- Halloween Time 2011" (begins on Page 145/Post #2170; ends on Page 155/Post #2312) Other Trip Reports: *Catalina Island/Avalon - My Solo Day Trip, in Photos (LOTS of Photos!)- 7/21/12* Last edited by Sherry E; 12-14-2012 at 12:01 AM. Reason: Added in a word

12-12-2012, 05:46 PM	#3668
KCmike Never have fallen asleep on any attraction Nothing wrong for dreaming for sure Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Kansas City Posts: 7,677	Congrats Sherry!! Can't wait to see some of those photos. I can't imagine seeing the CP down mainstreet. We plan on going back next year at Christmas time and the rumors of it being moved to the Hyperion Theater sadden me. I think I would be moved to tears to hear the Story of Jesus birth while in my Happiest Place on Earth! I'm glad you had a great time. I will be lurking till you post some photos. I have 365 days to plan now! __________________ "WDW Vet Who Found His New Home in Disneyland" 2013 Disneyland Christmas 2013 Plan to go in May to WDW, Universal, and SeaWorld with the kids and their High School Marching Band Event 2012 Back to Disneyland for a late June/Early July Vacation\|2011- WDW Grand Floridian/Port Orleans Riverside \|2010 - Disneyland/Monterey 20th Anniversary Day trip and 1st time to see Christmas at any park (BWPPI) 2010 - Disneyland (Grand Californian) \|2009 - Disneyland/San Francisco/Monterey/ Yosemite National Park (Disneyland Hotel) \|2008 - Disneyland/San Diego (Hotel Del Coronado & Hojo) \|2007 - Disneyland (Fairfield Inn) \|2006 - WDW - Port Orleans Riverside \|2004 - WDW - Port Orleans Riverside \|1996 - WDW - Dixie Landings \|1993 - WDW - Offsite \|1992 - WDW - Condo in Kissimmee \|1990 - WDW - Condo in Kissimmee Gear:Canon 60d, Canon xti, and a few lenses

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12-12-2012, 10:57 PM	#3669
abent Mouseketeer Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 93	Sherry, so glad you are back with all the great info! We leave in 2 days! Any helpful info for CP would greatly be appreciated!

12-13-2012, 12:41 AM	#3670
Eeee-va Happiest robot on Earth Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: AZ Posts: 2,498	Congratulations, Sherry! You definitely deserved a good view and I'm so glad you had such a great trip! __________________ Daily Duffy - New Picture of Tiny Duffy at Disneyland every day! Luckiest robot on Earth! PTR Eeee-va's Super-Fun Christmas Season Trip Report! 12/09 Eeee-va's Birthday Trip Report! 6/09

12-13-2012, 01:06 AM	#3671
StyledSugar Love The Mouse Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 292	Sounds like you had a great trip Sherry! Can't wait to see your pictures, especially of the nutcrackers. My son loves nutcrackers so I'm sure he'll be ready to hunt one down while we're there! __________________ DLR: 1980, 1985, 1987, February 2006, September 2010, October-November 2011, Upcoming.....Christmas 2012 My wonderful family: DH Me DD 14 DS 9

12-13-2012, 01:16 AM	#3672
kandyk Mouseketeer Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Auburn, WA Posts: 323	Sherry- I would love to hear some more details about getting seating for CP. I'm glad your trip went well and I'm looking forward to seeing your pictures. Only six more days for us. __________________

12-13-2012, 01:30 AM	#3673
kerickson VGC Dreamin' Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Northern California Posts: 1,299	Add a Disney Nutcracker to my souvenir list - Check! Thanks for the tip Sherry! Hopefully they have some left when we arrive on the 23rd! __________________ DH Me DD(9) DS(7) DDog

12-13-2012, 11:31 AM	#3675
focusondisney Snarky Boo Boo Join Date: May 2009 Location: Sabre Land Posts: 5,458	Sherry, I'm so glad you finally got to see the Candlelight Processional. You certainly deserved that bit of Pixie Dust! It really is amazing so I'll repeat your advice: go see it if you get the chance. No description can do justice to the feeling you get watching all the performers file in. __________________ Sparklie Boo Boo Tour 2012] TagGate 2011 Honoring The Tag Fairy Because she's Snarking Hilarious! __________________

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