When Is Castle Lit Up for Holidays? - The DIS Discussion Forums

WDW Princess 71 · 11-09-2009, 01:38 AM

I'm going to be in DLR 11/10-11/12 this week, and I know the "official" holiday stuff doesnt start until 11/13, but I was wondering, any chance the castle will be lit up while I'm there, or is like an official thing on the first night? I'm sure most of the other decorations and stuff will be up though right? Please advise, thanks!

Diva of Dragons · 11-09-2009, 05:43 AM

Most likely, yes! They already had the snow on the castle roof before Halloween!

ScooterL · 11-09-2009, 09:35 AM

I was there on Friday and almost everything is decorated except Main Street. DCA is also decorated - though they don't do very much over there. I don't think they will turn on any of the lights until Friday night, though. Be sure to check out Toontown - lots of fun decorations back there!

Sherry E · 11-09-2009, 09:42 AM

Just to kind of clarify - there is an official start date of the holiday season for a reason. DLR plans to begin certain activities/entertainment on that date each year (Castle/Main Street light show/Carolers strolling the resort/Santa at various locations, holiday parades or fireworks, etc.), and it gives them time to work out bugs and fine-tune everything to make sure it is in working order by the designated date. Keep in mind that this year the holiday festivities are beginning one full week earlier than they have the last couple of years, probably in large part because DLR was technically able to get its holiday attractions and entertainment up and running before the set dates in 2007 or 2008, whether or not they chose to do it. So because everything is beginning earlier this year and is much closer to Halloweentime season ending, there may not be a lot of leeway for soft openings or 'entertainment starting before the start date' kind of thing. We are already one week ahead. And the 'nighttime icicle effect' with the corresponding light show up Main Street to the Christmas tree is considered part of the entertainment.

So while the 700 Christmas trees will be up around the resort and I am sure all the decorations will be in place on the 12th, I don't expect that they will begin the Castle/Icicle/Light show/snow falling on Main Street or other entertainment until the 13th - the actual start date of the holiday season. They may, but I wouldn't think so given how early they are beginning the festivities this year. The Castle will be lit, of course, and will have the 'snow' on it in the daytime, but as I discovered last year with an ill-timed PhotoPass oppportunity, there is a huge difference between the Castle being simply lit up during the holiday season and lit up in the nighttime icicle effect that glows incandescently throughout the park.

11-09-2009, 01:38 AM	#1
WDW Princess 71 DIS Veteran Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Ocean City, NJ Posts: 643	When Is Castle Lit Up for Holidays? I'm going to be in DLR 11/10-11/12 this week, and I know the "official" holiday stuff doesnt start until 11/13, but I was wondering, any chance the castle will be lit up while I'm there, or is like an official thing on the first night? I'm sure most of the other decorations and stuff will be up though right? Please advise, thanks! __________________ ALWAYS Yacht Club Resort for WDW- January 2010: 3rd Disney Cruise, 1st on the Magic, prefaced by New Years Eve in WDW! November 2009: Return to DL at Disney's Grand Californian Resort, May 2009: WDW Summer Kickoff, January 2009: 2nd Disney Cruise- Sisters Cruise 4 Night Wonder, March 2008: WDW Spring Break, February 2008: WDW ESPN Weekend with relatives, April 2007: WDW Spring Break, March 2006: WDW Spring Break, March 2004: Land & Sea Graduation Present 4 Night Wonder (1st Cruise!) and 3 Night WDW, April 2003: WDW Spring Break, November 2002: Florida College Road Trip, Stopover in WDW, June 2002: California College Road Trip, Stopover in Disneyland, November 2001: WDW Mom’s Birthday Celebration, April 2001: WDW Spring Break, October 2000: Millennium Celebration WDW, November 1996: 1st Trip WDW Hooked For Life, 2004-2007: MANY trips up to Disneyland, CA (including 50th Anniversary Happiest Celebration on Earth!) while in college at University of San Diego

11-09-2009, 05:43 AM	#2
Diva of Dragons Tiger here!! Oldtimer despite the post count! Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: The O.C. Posts: 3,867	Most likely, yes! They already had the snow on the castle roof before Halloween! __________________ ºOºLISAºOº (Wizard 101: Alura SeaWalker) ~ (VMK/Elf Island: FeyDolphy, Dolphairy, ElvenMagic) ~ (PotC & SmallWorlds: Naia Seawalker)

11-09-2009, 09:42 AM	#4
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: 6,019	Just to kind of clarify - there is an official start date of the holiday season for a reason. DLR plans to begin certain activities/entertainment on that date each year (Castle/Main Street light show/Carolers strolling the resort/Santa at various locations, holiday parades or fireworks, etc.), and it gives them time to work out bugs and fine-tune everything to make sure it is in working order by the designated date. Keep in mind that this year the holiday festivities are beginning one full week earlier than they have the last couple of years, probably in large part because DLR was technically able to get its holiday attractions and entertainment up and running before the set dates in 2007 or 2008, whether or not they chose to do it. So because everything is beginning earlier this year and is much closer to Halloweentime season ending, there may not be a lot of leeway for soft openings or 'entertainment starting before the start date' kind of thing. We are already one week ahead. And the 'nighttime icicle effect' with the corresponding light show up Main Street to the Christmas tree is considered part of the entertainment. So while the 700 Christmas trees will be up around the resort and I am sure all the decorations will be in place on the 12th, I don't expect that they will begin the Castle/Icicle/Light show/snow falling on Main Street or other entertainment until the 13th - the actual start date of the holiday season. They may, but I wouldn't think so given how early they are beginning the festivities this year. The Castle will be lit, of course, and will have the 'snow' on it in the daytime, but as I discovered last year with an ill-timed PhotoPass oppportunity, there is a huge difference between the Castle being simply lit up during the holiday season and lit up in the nighttime icicle effect that glows incandescently throughout the park. __________________ SHERRY Read my epic Trip Report: "FOUR Trip Reports & a Trip Down Memory Lane (1972-2009)! 37 YEARS OF PICS!!"

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes	Rate This Thread
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode	Rate This Thread:

Similar Threads
thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Post A Pic Of The Castle (from any Disney park)	2goofycampers	Camping Community Board	104	12-07-2009 04:35 PM
Seeing the castle lights and not doing MVMCP	ShellyLynn3630	Theme Parks Attractions and Strategies	21	11-14-2009 11:56 AM
Dream Lights on the Castle???	caseylouandtyler2	Theme Parks Attractions and Strategies	17	11-13-2009 05:13 PM
Cinderellas Holiday Wish ( Castle Lighting ):	Disney Wanderer	Theme Parks Attractions and Strategies	4	11-08-2009 11:51 PM
Castle to Castle	Justin Jett	The DIS Unplugged Podcast	1	11-08-2009 10:55 PM

Sponsored Links
DIS ad Register to remove Join Date: 1997 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 1,000,000+	<!--END DISNEYLAND ADS--> <div align="center">This information cannot be displayed because your browser does not support inline frames.<a href="http://www.wdwinfo.com">Click Here</a> </div>

11-09-2009, 09:35 AM	#3
ScooterL DIS Veteran Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 1,031	I was there on Friday and almost everything is decorated except Main Street. DCA is also decorated - though they don't do very much over there. I don't think they will turn on any of the lights until Friday night, though. Be sure to check out Toontown - lots of fun decorations back there!