Christmas decorations

[Topscot]

How long are the decorations up for Christmas? We were thinking of going to Disney during the holidays, but since Christmas is on the weekend as is New Years, the only time we'd be able to go is January 6,7,8. Will the decorations be gone by then?

 

[skiingfast]

The Holiday season goes to January 8th. You will see plenty.

 

[Sherry E]

How long are the decorations up for Christmas? We were thinking of going to Disney during the holidays, but since Christmas is on the weekend as is New Years, the only time we'd be able to go is January 6,7,8. Will the decorations be gone by then?

The season is "officially" extending quite a bit later than it normally does this upcoming season, lasting until January 8th, as skiingfast said. (Next year's season will probably go until January 6, 2013.)

The season entails much more than just decorations, really. It's things like It's a Small World and Haunted Mansion Holiday that make it really unique, as well as the nighttime Winter Castle with icicle lights and the Christmas parade, etc. The Reindeer Round-Up is full of charming, rustic details (and reindeer). There are 700 Christmas trees of different sizes all around the Resort. Even the Storybook Land boat ride has teeny tiny decorations on the cottages. The 3 hotels and Downtown Disney are in the spirit as well. There are holiday treats on sale. There is themed holiday music in most of the lands. It's an all-encompassing kind of experience.

For some reason I have a feeling that, even though the season is extending through 1/8, some stuff will be taken down or stopped before then. Maybe I have a bit of a "too good to be true" outlook on it. I think some things will remain up here and there. I'm not sure about everything, though. I'm pretty sure the 3 hotels and Downtown Disney will take everything down right after the New Year.

I think that you will definitely get to see IASW Holiday, as that usually runs until mid-to-late January anyway. I'm not sure about Haunted Mansion Holiday, though. We shall see. I think the holiday parade will still be running, most likely. I think the decorations in New Orleans Square will still be up. I think some of the treats and merchandise will still be on sale. You may see some of the trees still up, but I would bet that many come down before 1/8.

My hunch is that Disney gave the season a later ending date this time around because there are usually some straggler holiday things up after New Year's Day, anyway, which people have noticed. This way, they can still (probably) keep to the same schedule of removing everything, slowly but surely, over the week following New Year's, but be able to 'explain' many of the decorations and highlights still being up....and still be able to lure in more guests by calling it the holiday season.

I could be totally wrong and maybe the whole 9 yards of holiday merriment will be going through 1/8, but my guess is that the week between 1/1 and 1/8 will probably see things disappearing, a little at a time, and then be totally gone by 1/9 (except for possibly IASW Holiday). It will be interesting to see!

 

[Topscot]

When do the decorations go up? Now we are thinking of going November 9-12.

 

[Sherry E]

When do the decorations go up? Now we are thinking of going November 9-12.

There's not one specific answer to this question.

The holiday season will "officially" begin this year on Monday, November 14. That means that 75% of the decorations around the whole Resort will be up and all the holiday entertainment (Christmas Fantasy Parade, Reindeer Round-Up, Believe in Holiday Magic fireworks, Santa, nighttime Winter Castle, snow falling on Main Street, It's a Small World Holiday) will be up and running. Both Disneyland and California Adventure will be decorated but the 3 hotels and Downtown Disney will not be. There will be holiday treats and merchandise sold.

After Thanksgiving is when the 3 hotels and Downtown Disney get their decorations as well.

Before November 14 - and you said you may be there 11/9 - 11/12 - you will see most of the 2 parks' decorations. They start to go up a little at a time, in late October or as soon as November begins. Most of the seasonal munchies will be sold. Haunted Mansion Holiday will be open. But you won't get any of the other official holiday entertainment, except for possibly a "soft opening" of IASW Holiday, during your trip, though that soft opening can't be counted on.

So, basically, if you just want a taste - a sampling - of the holidays at Disneyland Resort, you will get it. But you won't get the full holiday experience.

 

[Topscot]

We were there the week before Thanksgiving a couple of years ago and it was beautiful. Do you think we would at least see the nighttime Winter Castle and Small World Holiday?

There's not one specific answer to this question.

The holiday season will "officially" begin this year on Monday, November 14. That means that 75% of the decorations around the whole Resort will be up and all the holiday entertainment (Christmas Fantasy Parade, Reindeer Round-Up, Believe in Holiday Magic fireworks, Santa, nighttime Winter Castle, snow falling on Main Street, It's a Small World Holiday) will be up and running. Both Disneyland and California Adventure will be decorated but the 3 hotels and Downtown Disney will not be. There will be holiday treats and merchandise sold.

After Thanksgiving is when the 3 hotels and Downtown Disney get their decorations as well.

Before November 14 - and you said you may be there 11/9 - 11/12 - you will see most of the 2 parks' decorations. They start to go up a little at a time, in late October or as soon as November begins. Most of the seasonal munchies will be sold. Haunted Mansion Holiday will be open. But you won't get any of the other official holiday entertainment, except for possibly a "soft opening" of IASW Holiday, during your trip, though that soft opening can't be counted on.

So, basically, if you just want a taste - a sampling - of the holidays at Disneyland Resort, you will get it. But you won't get the full holiday experience.

 

[Sherry E]

We were there the week before Thanksgiving a couple of years ago and it was beautiful. Do you think we would at least see the nighttime Winter Castle and Small World Holiday?

As I explained above, November 14 is the official start of the season this year. That's the official start date for all the holiday entertainment, too (like the nighttime Winter castle, the snow falling on Main Street, IASW Holiday, etc.).

Sometimes IASW Holiday will open a couple of days before the official start of the season - it's what's called a "soft opening." There is no guarantee that IASW Holiday will soft open before 11/14, but it's quite possible you might see it if you are there through 11/12. Don't count on it, but it could happen. I doubt it would open any earlier than 11/11, and that's a stretch. But it's possible.

As for the nighttime Winter Castle...same thing. It's not guaranteed to start glowing in icicle lights until 11/14. I have a feeling it might start up a couple of days earlier this year too, because 11/12 and 11/13 are weekend days and it's Veterans Day weekend. I could be wrong, and again, don't count on it, but I would not be shocked if the Winter Castle's icicles begin to glow a couple of days before 11/14 this year.

You will definitely see Haunted Mansion Holiday, though! That starts on 9/16!