Diamond celebration end date?

[jsebsirois]

Hey there!

Even if we're 4 months away from our WDW vacation, we really want to visit DL during the Diamond celebration.

We would have an opportunity in April 2016. Any words on the official end date for the celebration? Will it still be on in April?

Thanks in advance!

 

[figment_jii]

As of yet, the only thing with an announced end date is the Diamond Days Sweepstakes (ends on September 11th). Other than that, there has been no announcements about when the Diamond Celebration will official end. The parade, fireworks, and new WoC are likely to last for several years (well beyond the end of the Diamond Celebration itself) based on how long the 50th anniversary fireworks lasted (10 years) and the age of the existing parades (Soundsational and Pixar Play Parade).

 

[fantasmicfantastic]

I would think some of the Main Street décor will be changed for Halloween and Christmas, though they may keep up the some of the castle décor (diamonds/jewels).

 

[Fantaluminishes]

I would think some of the Main Street décor will be changed for Halloween and Christmas, though they may keep up the some of the castle décor (diamonds/jewels).

Some décor will change, but I also think there are going to be some major changes, especially during the holidays. One example is the holiday garland on Main Street. Due to the size of the Frozen float in PTN, they probably won't be able to stretch garlands across the street like before. I think Main Street will get the same treatment that they started at MK last year, with arch-like wreath hangars hung from the buildings.

Also, they did a great job refurbishing the façade of It's A Small World after last year's holiday overlay. But in doing so, they removed all of the plastic that was used to hold the light strands on the façade. Maybe they don't plan to decorate the façade this year, or maybe they plan to do something different. I don't know, but the façade really looks nice right now. Of course the castle isn't going to change this year because of the diamond overlay. The holiday season will be impacted for sure. But who knows about Halloween at this point?

 

[Sherry E]

There's already not going to be a Christmas parade (and I agree -- there will be no garland hanging over Main Street), not going to be holiday fireworks and not going to be a holiday World of Color. There is also likely not going to be a "Winter Castle" as we have come to know it, with the icicle lights -- even though I like the icicle lights better than what is currently on the Castle.

If Disney decides to not decorate IASW's façade in colored lights -- even though I am pretty sure it was somewhat decorated during the 50th anniversary year -- that is just too much 'loss' on the holiday front. That is the turning point at which the 60th anniversary will begin to annoy me, because it will be interfering too much with the holidays. I mean, it's lovely that such a big deal is being made of the Diamond Anniversary, and I realize that Disney put a lot of money into hyping it, promoting it and getting the new entertainment and all of that, but their holiday season is amazing. Holidays at Disneyland Resort are known for being amazing and immersive, and there are actually some people (who don't follow social media or discussion boards) who will go to the parks wanting a holiday experience. Those folks won't care that much about the 60th. There has to be a good balance of "60th" and holidays, and removing the famous colored lights from the façade of IASWH will be very disappointing -- even IF the star returns to the top of the Matterhorn, it won't make up for the loss of colored lights on the façade!

Halloween's décor is minimal in comparison to the holiday season, but I can't see why they wouldn't put the 300 pumpkins on Main Street, along with the orange bunting on the facades, as usual. The décor in Frontierland should be the same as it is every Halloween Time.

Then again, if MHP -- for some reason -- is not happening in DL this year and is happening in DCA, they could tone down Halloween in DL.

 

[figment_jii]

Some décor will change, but I also think there are going to be some major changes, especially during the holidays. One example is the holiday garland on Main Street. Due to the size of the Frozen float in PTN, they probably won't be able to stretch garlands across the street like before. I think Main Street will get the same treatment that they started at MK last year, with arch-like wreath hangars hung from the buildings.

That's a good point. I remember that folks up on the WDW boards were really unhappy about the loss of the garlands when they realized they wouldn't fit anymore after FoF debuted, but after the new decor was put up, most folks seemed okay with the change. I remember that several folks even said it was an improvement because they could now see the castle from the Town Square end of Main Street without having the garlands bisecting the castle. So it made for better pictures and sight lines. We can hope the same is true to Disneyland if that's the route they opt to go.

Not as sure about what will happen with IaSW, other than it's probably to early to really say whether it'll be the same or different. I could see where they might not have put on the clips yet because they aren't going to be needed until October. This would mean five less months of exposure to the elements, so it could be something they'll do when they actually start to put up the lights.

 

[kirstie101]

This is pretty much why we're not sure if we'll come visit in December or not. We're going in a couple weeks and we'll be back again in January so we'll see all the 60th stuff twice. If they don't do enough decorating for the Holidays then we'll probably cancel our short December trip since the only purpose of that one is to see the decorations. I don't mind not having the Holiday parade or fireworks one year but I do still hope the rest of the decorations will be as magical as they have been in years past.

 

[LALA8971]

We are planning our first Christmas holiday trip for this year (early December). Is there anything else "normal DL Holiday" stuff that they will not be doing this year? I figured the castle would stay themed for the 60th, don't care too much about IASW, but what else are they not doing that typically happens? TIA!

 

[Sherry E]

We are planning our first Christmas holiday trip for this year (early December). Is there anything else "normal DL Holiday" stuff that they will not be doing this year? I figured the castle would stay themed for the 60th, don't care too much about IASW, but what else are they not doing that typically happens? TIA!

We've talked a lot about it in the Disneyland at Christmas/Holiday Season Superthread, including the garland not hanging over Main Street (make sure to follow that thread, as that's where we will be revealing any little bits of info we hear about), which I mentioned not long ago, and I listed all of the things that are not happening in my above reply in this Diamond Celebration thread (first paragraph).

IASWH is a huge, huge part of the holiday season, so it would be a big disappointment if it were not decorated as it usually is. It's one of the main highlights.

 

[Disney Kidd]

From what I've heard, it's supposed to last for 18 months. Ending November/December 2016.

 

[LALA8971]

Thanks @Sherry E! I somehow skimmed over your message on this thread. I'll check out the Superthread also!