disney at christmas

[Sherry E]

So I finally figured out how to resize the pictures on Photobucket so here are some pictures that I took of the different scenes from Storybook Canal

Love those photos, Flitterific! I think a lot of people forget or don't know about the teeny tiny Christmas decorations on the Storybook Land ride, and they are so cute.

Yes, I agree - I wish they would bring back Candy Cane Lane from the early '90s. I had this idea that they could transform that whole back path/walkway from PPH to the parks and through the parking lot and make that into Candy Cane Lane during the holidays. They could put all kinds of reindeer along the paths, and put colored lights and ornaments in all the trees. They could put a little gingerbread house (like in my picture above) somewhere along the path - that's a lot of space that could be touched up in holiday motif. But, alas, I don't think they will ever do it.

Sorry I cant help with directions, Im coming from the other way.

Sherry I have to laugh at your photos! They areolder than my kids. I am working on a Christmas in July album now, altho 2006, and will see if I can find some to post.
Great photos tho!
Do you remember the little train that they had their? That was so cute and kids loved riding it. I never got a photo of my son on it.

I posted all of my more recent holiday photos earlier in this thread, so now I'm digging for the ancient ones!!

I do remember the little train - vaguely. And I remember Santa had a little set-up. I know Santa is at the DLH and the other 2 hotels every Christmas season now, but I liked it when they used to do the holiday stuff outside on the DLH property. They had little tables or booths with merchandise set up. They sold cocoa and treats outside. There was a photo op in a tent, with a sleigh and presents. This was all outside, on the grounds of the DLH - that's something many people don't know ever existed because they may not have gone to DLR back in those days. Once they did the DTD addition and hacked off a chunk of the DLH, they stopped all the outdoor holiday fun!

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

Sorry I cant help with directions, Im coming from the other way.

Sherry I have to laugh at your photos! They areolder than my kids. I am working on a Christmas in July album now, altho 2006, and will see if I can find some to post.
Great photos tho!
Do you remember the little train that they had their? That was so cute and kids loved riding it. I never got a photo of my son on it.

OMG Rita!!! I am sooooo happy to see you here! I'm out of my element and need help, we are taking the Kids to Disneyland for Christmas!!!


Questions and background info for the group:

1)Looking at DL from Dec 23 - 28

2)4 kids 2 adults, diehard disney fans. Have been to WDW almost 10 times. We do not go commando.

3)good neighbor hotel is probably the way we will go - looking at Homewood Suites, Embassy Suite North and embassy suite south.

4)should I use hilton points or just book a package through Disney? I don't think I can do tickets and all that on points. The prices via Disney for the 3 average $3600 including the 5 day meal plan and 6 day tickets.

5) is the meal plan worth it? Or should we just wing it?

6) what are the must do restaurants? I know, loaded question. LOL

I haven't been to Disneyland since the 25th anniversary. So I don't recall much other then riding Dumbo and my dad taking a pic of me and my brother in front of the Mark Twain riverboat, which of course the boat was in focus, not us! LOL

 

[PHXscuba]

The meal plan at Disneyland is nothing like the one at WDW. It is a bunch of prepaid vouchers and receives almost universally bad reviews here. If you really want the "prepaid" factor I'd purchase some Disney gift cards.

There are separate options for tickets that might save you a little money vs. buying everything through Disney; check out Mousesavers. The "package deals" are also different than at WDW.

PHXscuba

 

[Sherry E]

OMG Rita!!! I am sooooo happy to see you here! I'm out of my element and need help, we are taking the Kids to Disneyland for Christmas!!!


Questions and background info for the group:

1)Looking at DL from Dec 23 - 28

2)4 kids 2 adults, diehard disney fans. Have been to WDW almost 10 times. We do not go commando.

3)good neighbor hotel is probably the way we will go - looking at Homewood Suites, Embassy Suite North and embassy suite south.

4)should I use hilton points or just book a package through Disney? I don't think I can do tickets and all that on points. The prices via Disney for the 3 average $3600 including the 5 day meal plan and 6 day tickets.

5) is the meal plan worth it? Or should we just wing it?

6) what are the must do restaurants? I know, loaded question. LOL

I haven't been to Disneyland since the 25th anniversary. So I don't recall much other then riding Dumbo and my dad taking a pic of me and my brother in front of the Mark Twain riverboat, which of course the boat was in focus, not us! LOL

From one mod to another, welcome, BernardandMissBianca!! Welcome to our wonderful, magical Disney at Christmas thread!! I hope you've had some time to kind of scroll through and glance at all the fabulous photos that have made this thread so popular!

I will tackle #6 on your list! Must-do restaurants.

I think the majority of folks would say to eat at Blue Bayou because it is so unique to DLR, and the ambiance is very cool.

I think most folks would also say that Napa Rose (a critically-acclaimed fine dining establishment in the GCH) is another must-do.

Many people might recommend Steakhouse 55 in the DLH for breakfast or dinner.

The places that I like are:

Carnation Cafe in DL (preferably for lunch or dinner or dessert-only)

Wine Country Trattoria in DCA (although they just changed their menu so I haven't tried the new one yet)

Blue Ribbon Bakery in DL for snacks and treats

Storytellers Cafe in GCH for lunch or dinner

Goofy's Kitchen (huge buffet) in the DLH for a character breakfast

I'll give honorable mentions to these counter service places:

River Belle Terrace (Mickey pancakes)
Gibson Girl Ice Cream in DL (for peppermint ice cream during the holidays!)
Plaza Inn (good fried chicken)
Bengal BBQ (good skewers)
Taste Pilots Grill in DCA
Marceline's Confectionery in DTD


I also like the non-Disney places in Downtown Disney such as Rainforest Cafe, Naples and ESPN Zone.

 

[tksbaskets]

From one mod to another, welcome, BernardandMissBianca!! Welcome to our wonderful, magical Disney at Christmas thread!! I hope you've had some time to kind of scroll through and glance at all the fabulous photos that have made this thread so popular!

I will tackle #6 on your list! Must-do restaurants.

I think the majority of folks would say to eat at Blue Bayou because it is so unique to DLR, and the ambiance is very cool.

I think most folks would also say that Napa Rose (a critically-acclaimed fine dining establishment in the GCH) is another must-do.

Many people might recommend Steakhouse 55 in the DLH for breakfast or dinner.

The places that I like are:

Carnation Cafe in DL (preferably for lunch or dinner or dessert-only)

Wine Country Trattoria in DCA (although they just changed their menu so I haven't tried the new one yet)

Blue Ribbon Bakery in DL for snacks and treats

Storytellers Cafe in GCH for lunch or dinner

Goofy's Kitchen (huge buffet) in the DLH for a character breakfast

I'll give honorable mentions to these counter service places:

River Belle Terrace (Mickey pancakes)
Gibson Girl Ice Cream in DL (for peppermint ice cream during the holidays!)
Plaza Inn (good fried chicken)
Bengal BBQ (good skewers)
Taste Pilots Grill in DCA
Marceline's Confectionery in DTD


I also like the non-Disney places in Downtown Disney such as Rainforest Cafe, Naples and ESPN Zone.

I second the places Sherry likes - YUM

 

[smiley_face2]

All right then, I've dug some up from 2002. Due to hubby's job, we are not going to make it there this month... So hubby said we can go again this Christmas!! yay.... it will only be for a week this time, but that's ok! I had such a Disney Christmas fit that I used the Disney Resort recipe and baked gingerbread men 2 nights ago... my daughter thought I'd lost my mind...but my grand kids were ecstatic!! lol... it's a good recipe, very close to the ones in the park! .... there is only one left out of about 20!!

Myself and Mickey, my daughter and Mickey, and hubby and daughter in Paradise Pier.

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

The meal plan at Disneyland is nothing like the one at WDW. It is a bunch of prepaid vouchers and receives almost universally bad reviews here. If you really want the "prepaid" factor I'd purchase some Disney gift cards.

There are separate options for tickets that might save you a little money vs. buying everything through Disney; check out Mousesavers. The "package deals" are also different than at WDW.

PHXscuba

we don't typically do the dining plan at WDW so I will probably skip this on as well.

From one mod to another, welcome, BernardandMissBianca!! Welcome to our wonderful, magical Disney at Christmas thread!! I hope you've had some time to kind of scroll through and glance at all the fabulous photos that have made this thread so popular!

I will tackle #6 on your list! Must-do restaurants.

I think the majority of folks would say to eat at Blue Bayou because it is so unique to DLR, and the ambiance is very cool.

I think most folks would also say that Napa Rose (a critically-acclaimed fine dining establishment in the GCH) is another must-do.

Many people might recommend Steakhouse 55 in the DLH for breakfast or dinner.

The places that I like are:

Carnation Cafe in DL (preferably for lunch or dinner or dessert-only)

Wine Country Trattoria in DCA (although they just changed their menu so I haven't tried the new one yet)

Blue Ribbon Bakery in DL for snacks and treats

Storytellers Cafe in GCH for lunch or dinner

Goofy's Kitchen (huge buffet) in the DLH for a character breakfast

I'll give honorable mentions to these counter service places:

River Belle Terrace (Mickey pancakes)
Gibson Girl Ice Cream in DL (for peppermint ice cream during the holidays!)
Plaza Inn (good fried chicken)
Bengal BBQ (good skewers)
Taste Pilots Grill in DCA
Marceline's Confectionery in DTD


I also like the non-Disney places in Downtown Disney such as Rainforest Cafe, Naples and ESPN Zone.

Hi Sherry!!!!! Thanks for the warm welcome!
You can call me Buffy or BAMB, no sense in writing out my whole name. LOL
I have been reading the thread and looking at pics, love the pics btw. It's a little overwhelming and I have to read things 2 or 3 times to really sink into my brain so I'm taking it page at a time. I also have someone sending me some maps so I can get a good lay of the land and make some plans but I'm not over planning.

I'll have to figure out how to get that slide scanned of our trip to DL way back when. It's the one and only pic other then my dad's marching band. Figures those were more important. LOL

now on to food!

I know I want to try Blue Bayou.
DS14 wants to do Napa Rose but is it suitable for my clan? they are not picky eaters but can be a little boisterous at times.

I guess I should tell you what we like at WDW. That might give some insight on the style of food we like.
We typically eat at Crystal Palace (breakfast), Cinderella's (lunch), Sci Fi dine in, 50's prime time, Akershus, Tommorowland Terrace (formerly known as tomorrowland noodle station), Cosmic Rays.

We are adventurous in food, so I'm not worried about that.
Should I start booking now? Can I book now? Is it crazy like WDW in terms of getting ADR's?

I'm going to forward your suggestions to DH so he can give me some feedback.

thanks for the help! I'm sure I'll be asking for more info.

Oh and do you lose any of the magic by staying at a good neighbor hotel? We typically stay on property at WDW. We tried off site one year and didn't like it. But I know Anaheim is different.

 

[amamax2]

A couple more pictures to hopefully get your day a little better..... (I read on the Halloween thread you are having a cruddy day..)

 

[Sherry E]

we don't typically do the dining plan at WDW so I will probably skip this on as well.

Hi Sherry!!!!! Thanks for the warm welcome!
You can call me Buffy or BAMB, no sense in writing out my whole name. LOL
I have been reading the thread and looking at pics, love the pics btw. It's a little overwhelming and I have to read things 2 or 3 times to really sink into my brain so I'm taking it page at a time. I also have someone sending me some maps so I can get a good lay of the land and make some plans but I'm not over planning.

I'll have to figure out how to get that slide scanned of our trip to DL way back when. It's the one and only pic other then my dad's marching band. Figures those were more important. LOL

now on to food!

I know I want to try Blue Bayou.
DS14 wants to do Napa Rose but is it suitable for my clan? they are not picky eaters but can be a little boisterous at times.

I guess I should tell you what we like at WDW. That might give some insight on the style of food we like.
We typically eat at Crystal Palace (breakfast), Cinderella's (lunch), Sci Fi dine in, 50's prime time, Akershus, Tommorowland Terrace (formerly known as tomorrowland noodle station), Cosmic Rays.

We are adventurous in food, so I'm not worried about that.
Should I start booking now? Can I book now? Is it crazy like WDW in terms of getting ADR's?

I'm going to forward your suggestions to DH so he can give me some feedback.

thanks for the help! I'm sure I'll be asking for more info.

Oh and do you lose any of the magic by staying at a good neighbor hotel? We typically stay on property at WDW. We tried off site one year and didn't like it. But I know Anaheim is different.

I'll remove my personal opinion for the moment and tell you two things that most other folks on the DIS will tell you when discussing the differences between DLR and WDW:

1. Dining is not nearly the big deal at DLR that it is at WDW.

2. Staying onsite at one of the DLR hotels is not nearly as necessary or as big of a deal as it is at WDW because of the close proximity of the Good Neighbor hotels.

Okay, so as for dining - even though I have never been to WDW, I can clearly see that dining is much different at WDW than it is at DLR because of the wide variety of places to eat at WDW. DLR simply lacks the space to have too many restaurants. Also, WDW has 4 parks and many hotels vs. DLR's 2 parks and 3 hotels. Dining is treated as less of a big deal at DLR in that you can't make reservations any longer than 60 days out. In fact, in most cases it's not even really necessary to make them 60 days out but many people like to just to have it taken care of. Some of the restaurants (such as Carnation Cafe) can get busy very quickly, so even though walk-ups are possible, it's nice to have a reservation. I should add that dining is a big part of my DLR experience and I look forward to my sit-down meals there!

Honestly, Napa Rose is not my type of place. I'm not the least bit interested in fine dining - I am content with basic food like burgers, chicken, pizza, pasta, etc. But I suggested it for you because it is raved about by both guests and critics. It's fine dining, but it's like 'Disneyland fine dining,' so I'm sure they get lots of boisterous kids and families coming in to eat after a long day in the parks. I'm sure you guys will be fine there!

Based on the places you said you like to eat in WDW, you may also want to try Ariel's Grotto in DCA for breakfast or lunch - that's the all Princess character meal. Minnie & Friends has the most characters of all the character meals, but the food gets consistently mixed reviews. Goofy's Kitchen is my favorite place to eat in DLR, and it has the widest variety of food, but Minnie's definitely has more characters. Storytellers Critter Breakfast has many woodsy/jungly Disney characters and Surf's Up is the only meal where Mickey appears.

You may also enjoy Pizza Port in TL. People seems to speak highly of their pasta and salads.

Okay, now as far as staying onsite or offsite - again, I've never been to WDW, but I understand that it is largely a necessity to stay on-property there because of where everything is located. Anaheim is different, you're right. That said, staying onsite, for me, at one of the 3 DLR hotels adds so much extra magic to my trip. I like to be immersed in Disney from the start of my trip to the very end, and staying onsite helps me with that. Lots and lots of people love HoJo's and the other Good Neighbor hotels, but I love staying onsite. The GCH during the holidays is just lovely (and expensive), but I love all 3 hotels for different reasons. Plus, I like getting the Magic Mornings and the cute Mickey ears bath products in the bathrooms (of the PPH or the DLH).

The Good Neighbor hotels are substantially cheaper than the DLR hotels, however, and many of them are very close to DLR, so if money is at all a concern, don't worry too much about staying offsite. Lots of folks do it. But if you can swing it and money is not a problem, stay onsite if you can!!

 

[Sherry E]

A couple more pictures to hopefully get your day a little better..... (I read on the Halloween thread you are having a cruddy day..)

Again, not sure if anyone else is having this problem tonight, but it has been tough getting on the DIS and this thread. Things are moving sooooo slowly. I wonder if it's only my PC or just that the servers are overloaded?

Anyway, Amamax2 - thank you! The Little Green Men! You remembered they are my favorite! And what's better than the Little Green Men but the Little Green Men with Christmas lights and other things in the parade!!! That cheered me up (yes, cruddy day, indeed)!! Thank you again - I really appreciate it! I love me some Little Green Men!!

 

[Sherry E]

All right then, I've dug some up from 2002. Due to hubby's job, we are not going to make it there this month... So hubby said we can go again this Christmas!! yay.... it will only be for a week this time, but that's ok! I had such a Disney Christmas fit that I used the Disney Resort recipe and baked gingerbread men 2 nights ago... my daughter thought I'd lost my mind...but my grand kids were ecstatic!! lol... it's a good recipe, very close to the ones in the park! .... there is only one left out of about 20!!

Myself and Mickey, my daughter and Mickey, and hubby and daughter in Paradise Pier.

Those are great pictures, smiley_face2! It reminds me of how that tree in DCA has moved around over the years, hasn't it?

 

[mvf-m11c]

I am so bored and getting tired of waiting for the HalloweenTime information about MHP. I decided to put up some pics from the Christmas Fantasy Parade from last year when I was sitting in the preferred viewing area during the Holiday Tour. These pictures were from my video camera that I have taped and than capture frame the pics.

Music box float

Toy Soldiers

Mailroom float of Donald, Daisy, Pluto and Mrs. Clause

Tigger and Winnie the Pooh on the sleighs

Ice rink float of Mickey and Minnie

I'll post more pictures of the Christmas Fantasy Parade shortly.

 

[Arizona Rita]

Bamb, I didnt know you were on here or thinking about doing this!
Let me just say hi and welcome to my "world". I'll go back and read everything in a minute!
Sherry is great and probably more knowledgable than even me!
i dont come on here very often as we are going in Oct this time but now that I know youre here I'll check in every day.
Just from glancing. I would not do the meal plan.
Definitely< MUST DO, if you eat no where else, you must do BLUE BAYOU!!
From other tr's Ive read of yours, if your son is a foodie, do Napa Rose, but for your whole gang, I would say no. Little Miss is too young to enjoy it, Ive also taken Lauren when she want 9 ish and we wish we had waited.
I liked the idea the poster had about getting some gc in advance.
I would think embassies would be good for your gang and I think they have refridgerators and microwaves too possibly?
Let me go back and read the posts and give you my pressed penny worth on everything.
How exciting for you!

 

[Arizona Rita]

Have to say that I agree with Sherry on alot of points.
I too like to be immersed in that Disney feeling when I go. Grand is the most expesive so I would possibly check into Paradise Peir if you want that "feeling" or like mentioned, one of the Embassys.

We do not have a Green Grocer like at WDW but fyi, ther are places right there that you can pick up groceries.
Food is not that big of a deal because of location.
Thanks to Bob Iger, there are lots of fresh fruit stands throughout the parks, another option for lunch. Try the California Strawberries!!

Who is sending the maps? I can check and see if I have any from this past Christmas, 2009, or can send you another one in Oct.

Blue Ribbon Bakery is great for breakfast, too.
WDW, not real big on Churros and frozen lemonade, but we are.

Add:
White Water Snacks at the GCH for quick service
Cafe Orleans for qs, good gumbo and chowder in bread bowls

I think you mostly asked about food and hotels right now, so I think thats good.

Whatever you want to know we're here for you!

Oh, and I know your from the East coast, but you will need jackets and maybe a sweatshirt or two!
Our temps do drop at night, you could be wearing shorts andswimming during the day, but you will be glad you brought them.

 

[specialks]

3)good neighbor hotel is probably the way we will go - looking at Homewood Suites, Embassy Suite North and embassy suite south.

We have stayed at the Homewood Suites on our last 2 trips. We love it. They have amazing customer service, all the rooms have been renovated, and the free breakfast is a great way to start the day. Another thing the Homewood Suites does is free grocery shopping service. You can give them your grocery list and they will stock your kitchen at no charge -- you just pay the grocery bill. We really like having the kitchen so we can make lunches to take with us. Having free breakfast and taking our lunches really cuts down on food expenses. They also do a light manager's dinner on certain nights with complimentary beer & wine. Stuff like spaghetti, hot dogs, sloppy joes.

The Embassies don't have kitchens. The Embassy South is the 'closest' to DLR but not in walking distance. The ES North is farther away and I am pretty sure it is not on the ART route.

We are trying the Residence Inn Resort Area on this trip because we want to try something new and we got a great rate on a kid's suite which my kids will LOVE! It also has a kitchen and free deluxe hot breakfast.

Good luck planning!

 

[smiley_face2]

Those are great pictures, smiley_face2! It reminds me of how that tree in DCA has moved around over the years, hasn't it?

It really has, I liked it best where they had it this past Christmas, it made for some awesome pictures! I have a feeling though, that they may move it back towards the new WOC viewing area, but then again maybe not, they need all the room they can get there... Oh here's a question... Is WOC just a summer time thing? I had not even thought to read about that aspect of it! I can't imagine all that "stuff" just sitting there all winter waiting for summer to roll around again! I wonder if it does run at Christmas time as well, if they will do some updates to include Christmasy scenes and songs?
PS...sorry you had a cruddy day...I'm having a cruddy month.... partly due to having to cancel our trip... OH and you would know this if anyone would...we had our resies at hojo's for next week (sob) and of the days we were going to be there, we had the 22, 23, 24, at the entertainment rate...well actually it is the annual passholder rate, don't know if that matters?...they're not available now .... can I transfer that to someone else here if they had a trip booked and did not have the rate? If so I will offer it up in the July trip thread...it's for 2 of the premium Disney view rooms on the 7th floor for $79.

 

[Sherry E]

Bump!

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

Thanks for the input everyone!
I think we will skip Napa this time. DS14 is a huge foodie (wants to be a chef for Disney) but I don't think DD would have the patience for it.

I think Ariel's Grotto would be a definite. and Storytellers looks like fun, I saw pictures with Kenai, Koda, and Terk. Those are ones we don't see often at WDW. And goofy's kitchen too.
Blue Bayou is for sure on the list, I have heard nothing but great reviews. Would this be a good option for Christmas day? And I will do reservations just because it's easier for me, less stress.
I guess that about covers our meals! LOL The rest will either be in room or quick service.

I think we have decided on Homewood Suites and staying on points. It will save us $1200. We won't get to do the toontown madness thing but that's ok. Flights are crazy expensive so if I can save money using points it's worth it.
I would love to stay at GCH but I just can't justify the cost unless DH was able to rack up enough points to fly for free.

Rita,
Gwen from the fairygodmailer thread is sending me maps. She's getting the 55th anniversary maps for a collectible but I figure I can use them to plan too.
And I will definitely bring jackets. I grew up in San Francisco so I remember how cold it got over the holidays. We bring jacket, hats and gloves to WDW at Xmas. Last year it was freezing!

My friend who used to live in LA said to fly into Long Beach instead of John Wayne. Would anyone else agree with that? Does it really matter? I don't think we can get a driver like we do at WDW can we? we usually hire a town car service to take us to the hotel.

 

[smiley_face2]

Bump!

Sherry, don't think you saw my question to you in my above post? can you check it and let me know what you think please?

 

[Sherry E]

It really has, I liked it best where they had it this past Christmas, it made for some awesome pictures! I have a feeling though, that they may move it back towards the new WOC viewing area, but then again maybe not, they need all the room they can get there... Oh here's a question... Is WOC just a summer time thing? I had not even thought to read about that aspect of it! I can't imagine all that "stuff" just sitting there all winter waiting for summer to roll around again! I wonder if it does run at Christmas time as well, if they will do some updates to include Christmasy scenes and songs?
PS...sorry you had a cruddy day...I'm having a cruddy month.... partly due to having to cancel our trip... OH and you would know this if anyone would...we had our resies at hojo's for next week (sob) and of the days we were going to be there, we had the 22, 23, 24, at the entertainment rate...well actually it is the annual passholder rate, don't know if that matters?...they're not available now .... can I transfer that to someone else here if they had a trip booked and did not have the rate? If so I will offer it up in the July trip thread...it's for 2 of the premium Disney view rooms on the 7th floor for $79.

Oops! Sorry! You're right - I think I totally missed your post (I rely on the e-mail alerts to tell me when someone has posted, but sometimes I get them and sometimes I don't). I didn't look far enough up in the thread.

About WoC - many of us think that WoC will likely continue in some capacity into Fall - DLR has put too much money into it and built it up too much to not let it run as long as possible. However, no one knows for sure yet. So far, there is nothing showing for WoC past September on the DLR calendar, I don't think. So it's anyone's guess what they might do. They might choose to show it on weekends only, or maybe only a couple of nights a week, maybe one show a night. We are not sure yet.

So you're saying you want to transfer your whole HoJo/Entertainment Rate reservation to someone else so they can get the Entertainment Rate? Well, if it involves you receiving money from the person you are transferring it to (like if you already paid for it and now they are paying you), then, no, it can't be discussed on the DIS. But, just in terms of transferring a reservation in general, without money exchanging hands, I'm not sure. I've never had to do that. That almost seems like it would be more of a Lorealle at HoJo's question - have you checked with her? I think the best thing to do would be to check with Lorealle. That would be my suggestion.

I agree with you about the Christmas tree in DCA - it looked particularly nice last year, where it was. It's just funny that they don't seem to be able to find a spot where they (DCA) think it fits best, and so it keeps getting bumped around!