AP Christmas Area at DCA

[Nevada Jen]

Has anyone gone to the "special" AP area at DCA for the holidays? We are going at the end of the week and I am wondering if it is even worth making the effort to get there. Is there a special button being given away there?

 

[Angrose]

I would also like to know more about this. And, does everyone in our group have to have an AP or can we all get in with just mine?

 

[Skyegirl1999]

My sister went last week and said the pin was the words "Festival of Holidays" with AP above it or something (no picture), and then a coloring page with the same logo thing on it. She was underwhelmed. I'd pick up the pin if I was walking by, but I wouldn't make a special effort.

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

We walked through because we were excited about being able to walk behind Grizzly River Run. Since it used to be a smoking area back there, we always avoided the area. Anyway, there's no reason to go for the AP things. I thought it was sad they couldn't even come up with a button with a Disney picture or logo on it.

 

[figment_jii]

DisneyGeek has a few photos of the AP area (including the button) on his November 19th report:
https://disneygeek.com/disneyland/pictures/2016/11/19/84

I haven't been to this AP area yet, but if it's anything like the one for AP Days earlier this year, then each guest needed to have a valid AP to be let into the area.

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

When we went though it was just the pin and coloring page. And yes, we all needed to show an AP.

 

[Lain]

I'm all about making the most of our APs, but when we walked past this weekend it felt very underwhelming and we didn't bother. I also saw that you'd get an AP button and coloring page, and there was a photo backdrop set up with an AP sign that you could hold, and a Photopass photographer to take your picture.

 

[cruisehopeful]

We went to it to check it out. It was nothing for us (adults). We got the buttons and then walked the rest of the way and only saw some coloring. It's probably a good place to let kids take a break and sit down and color if they need to get away from the crowds. Other than that, I don't see why anyone would go in there unless the collect buttons.

 

[Nevada Jen]

SOunds like it might be a bit of a time suck. Hopefully I can get DH to skip it.

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

SOunds like it might be a bit of a time suck. Hopefully I can get DH to skip it.

It honestly took us all of 5 mins tops and that was with the picture. We didn't stay to do the coloring page. I don't think it would through off your schedule much if you wanted to do it. And the ride area on the walk is really pretty back there with the water falls, especially at night.

 

[mich311e]

We went through the area quickly because we'd never been back that way before and wondered what was up there. We got our picture taken and the free buttons. I think anyone can walk back there. They just scanned our APs for the buttons.

 

[Rabb it]

I haven't been over there yet, but after seeing those pictures it seems a bit weak

 

[cp11]

I went through. And even the button is not spectacular. My daughter did not have an AP and they did let her jump in the pic with me. We would not have stopped, but it was empty at the time. Castmembers were standing around, which is why I think they kind of just shoved my daughter in with me.

 

[minnieralyks]

Oooh fun! We'll have to check this out. Even if it's not big, at least it's still something! I want an AP pin! lol

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Are the country bears no longer doing AP photos by Grizzly Falls? We forgot to walk by there on our last visit.

 

[cp11]

Are the country bears no longer doing AP photos by Grizzly Falls? We forgot to walk by there on our last visit.

We had our pics taken there, but I do not think it has anything to do with AP.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Good to know! That sounds like a more fun photo op than holding a sign, although we'll probably end up doing both. lol.

 

[Epek]

Are the country bears no longer doing AP photos by Grizzly Falls? We forgot to walk by there on our last visit.

The country bears are on the Carthay/Bugsland side of the falls and the AP area is under the lift hill for GRR, in the smoking area. In the AP area, the photo op is a backdrop with a few signs you can hold.

I really was disappointed with this "perk". I'm not sure why they bother. I've only had an AP since 2013, and I've seen the AP specials go way downhill.