I don't think it was so much an unimportant weekend as it was time for them to start the transformation.
Never quite sure about posting links to other sites on here so I will share in this way:
Here is a link to
the official press release on
Disneyland News.
(If that is not allowed, mods, please delete the link.)
Here is the excerpt from the release that talks about the castle, snow, etc... at DLR:
"Snow Blankets Sleeping Beauty Castle, Creating New Look For The Holidays At Disneyland Resort
ANAHEIM, Calif. (October 26, 2007) New enchantment arrives in Disneyland as the holiday season finds Sleeping Beautys Winter Castle covered in freshly fallen snow. With its exciting new look, the Castle will serve as a shimmering centerpiece for a daytime holiday celebration, and as a snow-capped stage for the new music, lighting and special effects that will precede the legendary Believe ... in Holiday Magic nighttime fireworks spectacular.
The Castle will create a magical sense of wintertime enchantment throughout the holidays at Disneyland, adding to the many delights that traditionally welcome guests when Disneyland and Disneys California Adventure parks are transformed into dazzling holiday wonderlands.
By day, Sleeping Beautys Winter Castle will be a sparkling Disneyland landmark and photo location for holiday visitors from around the world. As evening arrives, the Castle will undergo a transformation as special lighting effects and a new musical score take guests on a journey that dramatizes a young childs dream for snow!
This magical spell will build to the highlight of the evening: the fireworks spectacular, Believe ... in Holiday Magic, which will take guests on a journey of sights and sounds of the season and will end with a touching rendition of White Christmas and one of Disneylands most beloved holiday traditions: a climactic snowfall that swirls down on Main Street, U.S.A., small world mall and New Orleans Square. To top it all off, the beautiful blanket of snow on the Castle will begin to shimmer like never before!
Such holiday magic may be found throughout the day in both Disneyland and Disneys California Adventure during the holiday season. Themed entertainment, sparkling decorations, tasty treats and the annual holiday transformations of its a small world and the Haunted Mansion will add festive seasonal fun and warmth to Disneyland Resort visits from November 16 through January 6...."
Maybe we should start our own group! Then we can share all the little secrets that are not public yet. 
I also know many were afraid that something bad like that was going to end up happening here to the DL one for the 50th. Thankfully it didn't and it looked lovely. I'd love to know what the higher ups were thinking when they decided though on that WDW thing. 
I just have to hope the fireworks don't scare Skylar cause she is only 13 months old and we have never stayed that late with her yet. But this time of year we usually do stay for that and make it a point to go for it in the past. We had found a great spot to watch from and then go over to an area for the snow that was away from the craziness of Main St. LOL If she does well we will go a few times for it then. I love how this time of year because such a tradition for so many families. 
