Alright Sherry. A few questions. What are the chances that Christmas will be a hard ticket event like Halloween? If they did that and we bought a one day hard ticket for the Christmas season could we upgrade to an seasonal pass that day we went in? Or does hard ticket events not count towards an upgrade? How did they kick people out last year at Halloween if they didn't have the hard ticket? So many questions.
Hi, Mike!
Well, I think that I'm not alone on this forum (or in this thread) in thinking that the possibility of a hard ticket Christmas party at DLR is inevitable. The Halloween parties are way too successful for them not to attempt a Christmas party too.
The question is...
when will this happen? Will it be this year? Will it be next year when all the work in DCA is done? And
where will it be? Will DLR decide to try the first year of a Christmas party in DCA? There has been a rumor about a future holiday version of World of Color, after all. So having a party in DCA could mean that a holiday WoC becomes the focus. Plus, holding such a party in DCA would be a good way to start off having a Christmas party without interrupting the usual schedule of snow, fireworks and parades that have been part of DL's holiday agenda for years and years and years. If those things that people have come to expect suddenly became party exclusives, people would probably be ticked off. But if a party started out in DCA, that would be sort of fresh territory and no existing holiday activities would be held hostage.
There has also been a rumor of the Candlelight Processional eventually moving over to DCA, in the next year or two. We don't know if this will happen, BUT if it were to happen, then I think a Christmas party would almost certainly be held in DL. That way, DLR could have a signature holiday event (the CP) in one park and a signature holiday event (the party) in the other park.
Of course, IF the inevitable Christmas party were to be held in DCA, surely it would not be this year. Too much construction....
...Which then has me wondering if DLR may decide to have a party in DL
this year to sort of detract from the fact that DCA is not very holiday-ish in the midst of all the construction.
So right now we just have to proceed as though it will be the usual holiday schedule at DLR this year until we hear otherwise. At this point, there is no solid reason to think a party could begin in 2011.
It seems to me like someone else on the DIS mentioned that they asked a CM and found out they
could upgrade their Halloween party ticket to another kind of ticket. It wouldn't have occurred to me to do that, but I guess the dollar amount of a party ticket can just as easily be put towards a ticket of a higher level as any other ticket can, so I don't think you'd have a problem doing that.
I missed the Halloween party last year, so I cannot say first-hand what happened in DL (I plan to catch it this year), but there was a wrist band system for the party guests, and apparently CM's started checking for the wrist bands at rides, restaurants and shops after the time the non-party guests were supposed to be gone.
Thanks for the reply Sherry its great to have your insight. We wont be eating at the Blue Bayou because its a little too pricy for us plus i think DD would be restless and it would just make it a bad experience for the other diners so we will be going to Cafe Orleans instead. We ate there about 3 times last trip so we know its a winner.
How busy is it likley to be at christmas time, we are there from 26 Nov - 20 Dec, i expect as it gets closer to christmas to get busier but we have only been in October and May so im not really sure of what to expect crowd wise.
I have no support on going back to Disney again except from DD and DH of course, everyone we tell cannot believe we are going back. Most tell us it is a waste of money going for a third time, that surely we have done everything it will be so boring etc etc...
I think the problem is here is Australia there are some theme parks but none of them have that Disneyland "magic" and people dont get it if they havent been there. There are a few Aussie Disers obviously who understand the appeal, but on the whole people are not happy for us where as we are so excited.
I try to convince people how good it is but alas they are not interested
Some people are immune from the magic too i think, my mum came with us the first trip and all she did was complain, about everything..the hotel was too noisy, the food was too expensive, the lines were too long etc... We just dont see it, we must have our disneyland googles on, we are just so happy to be there.
I love coming on here because at least i am in a world that understands me..
Ihaveamickeymousekid - You're welcome! I think that latter part of November (after Thanksgiving weekend) into early December will have the lowest crowds of the season. That's why I chose my 11/28 - 12/5 dates this year - to take advantage of the lower crowds I have only heard about!
Otherwise, yes, you're right - in December, the closer it gets to Christmas, the busier it gets. Actually, around the mid-month point in December the crowds begin to pick up and it's a steady climb after that, with the peak of crowds being between Christmas and New Year's.
So you will have a good chunk of time at DLR without really bad crowds. I think October has gotten more popular over the last few years - I know it seemed much more crowded the last couple of times I visited for Halloween Time. But late November/early December should be a good time, because it's in between the Thanksgiving and Christmas breaks, and many people will be back at work and school. It may even seem less busy than October in that time frame.
I know what you mean about other amusement or theme parks lacking the same magic that Disney parks have. It's so true! Here in Southern California, we've got Knott's Berry Farm - which is charming in its own way, but not what I would call "magical." We've got Universal Studios Hollywood - not magical at all, but fun. We've got Sea World - again, fun, but not magical. We've got Six Flags/Magic Mountain - not magical in the least bit, and is really only for hard core thrill ride lovers. And we've got some zoos, some aquariums and a Safari Park and all that. None of them are magical!
Disney - and especially DLR - offers a special brand of entertainment that really taps into emotions, nostalgia and childhood like no other park can. Of course it offers fun rides, too, but there is just an overall personality or character to it that cannot be matched anywhere else. The details at DLR are just outstanding, and that is another aspect that is not covered as much at other parks.
So Christmas time + Disneyland = infinite magic!!
It is hard talking to people who don't share the same love of Disney and who don't understand why it's necessary to visit DLR every year - or even once every 5 years!
Usually, my friends have a great time when they go, but it's not part of their soul or part of who they are. To them, it's just a fun place. They don't care as much about the details and the little hidden gems around the parks. Generally, the comments I hear most are about the prices.
For example, when I told one of my friends that DLR just raised its prices the other day, he grumbled something about how soon it will cost $1000 just to get in the gates. People have a hard time finding magic in a place they feel is so "greedy" or that is "robbing them."
This is definitely a world that understands you!
You added days! So now how many days in DLR is that going to be all together? I'm so happy for you - 2 extra days of magic!
and Ho ho ho!
