disney at christmas

[PHXscuba]

I am planning to try to read the whole thread, but I'd better wait until the kids go back to school in a couple weeks. Don't want to get cited for child neglect.

PHXscuba

 

[Tablefor5]

Can someone pass the potcake?
Oh, sorry took me back to my deadhead days

 

[funatdisney]

Thank you for finding that, Funatdisney! I knew I had posted a link to the peppermint pot cake photo somewhere in this thread, but I forgot where - I don't think I realized it was on the first page!! I'm glad the link to the photo is still valid. I have found that a lot of links to other DIS-ers' HalloweenTime photos (which I had once put in the Halloween thread) somehow became invalid over the course of the year. Even if their photos are still showing in the threads where I initially saw them, for some reason the old links themselves no longer worked (maybe after site maintenance or something??). I would have to go in and find all of those photos again to copy the new links and paste them, and there were a lot of photos!!

Anyway, the jury is still out on what the fate of the peppermint pot cake is and if it will make a grand return. If it was, indeed, gone last year (as was reported), I can't see why DLR would have gotten rid of it. It seems like it would be delightfully popular during the holiday season.

Funatdisney - what page of this thread are you on now? Last I heard you made it to page 9. Bless your heart for going through and trying to read all of it (or a lot of it) - that's a Herculean task that I'm not sure many others would take on!!

I was able to quickly find it since I just started to read the whole thread. I am on page 16. I try to read a few pages a day. It is hard to keep up on it. I am following other threads (as you probably know by my posts), and taking care of kids, a household and pets (horses, a puppy, rabbits and cats). I am trying to read as much as I can today and tomorrow because I am going camping in Sequoia National Park for 5 days with DD14(soon to be 15 ugg!). DH and DD12 decided to stay home. So it will be a mother and daughter trip.

I am finding this thread a good read and am enjoying it way too much. I am going in Oct for 4 days for Halloweentime, but here I am reading and planning for Christmas. It is my favorite time of the year. I am very much like you, Sherry E. I love this time of year. Halloween is special, but not as beloved as Christmas, especially at DLR. I sure hope they have the peppermint potcake. I will have to make it a quest to find it when I am there Dec 3rd to the 5th.

 

[funatdisney]

Signing off for now. I am on page 21!

Sherry E, I love the pics of the cookie/candy ornaments on page 17, post #250 http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2262171&page=17 I have collected the series of Disney characters holding a small Mickey ornament. I think that series is finished. I was able to get some from DLR and WDW. One of my favorite activities for Christmas is to buy one or two ornaments a year. I have a tree at home devoted to just Disney ornaments. I look forward to what this year will offer!

 

[Sherry E]

I was able to quickly find it since I just started to read the whole thread. I am on page 16. I try to read a few pages a day. It is hard to keep up on it. I am following other threads (as you probably know by my posts), and taking care of kids, a household and pets (horses, a puppy, rabbits and cats). I am trying to read as much as I can today and tomorrow because I am going camping in Sequoia National Park for 5 days with DD14(soon to be 15 ugg!). DH and DD12 decided to stay home. So it will be a mother and daughter trip.

I am finding this thread a good read and am enjoying it way too much. I am going in Oct for 4 days for Halloweentime, but here I am reading and planning for Christmas. It is my favorite time of the year. I am very much like you, Sherry E. I love this time of year. Halloween is special, but not as beloved as Christmas, especially at DLR. I sure hope they have the peppermint potcake. I will have to make it a quest to find it when I am there Dec 3rd to the 5th.

Yes - exactly. Halloween is special and fun and all that. But there is just something extra, extra magical about Christmastime at DLR that puts it on a whole different level! I think it's mostly because the holiday touches are so immersive and detailed - the whole resort is pretty much enveloped in the holiday feeling and spirit. HalloweenTime does not have (at least up to this point) as much of a thorough, intensive feel to it.

Signing off for now. I am on page 21!

Sherry E, I love the pics of the cookie/candy ornaments on page 17, post #250 http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2262171&page=17 I have collected the series of Disney characters holding a small Mickey ornament. I think that series is finished. I was able to get some from DLR and WDW. One of my favorite activities for Christmas is to buy one or two ornaments a year. I have a tree at home devoted to just Disney ornaments. I look forward to what this year will offer!

Woo hoo! You're zipping your way through the thread (even with a household of kids and pets!!)!

Thanks - I love those cookie/candy/ice cream cone ornaments and knick-knacks! Those are among my all-time favorite DLR souvenirs.

Do you have two separate Christmas trees each year - one for the Disney ornaments and one for all other ornaments? I think I recall seeing the ornaments you're talking about - the ones with the characters holding a small Mickey ornament. Those were really cute. There were also some other good ones with Tinkerbell posing with peppermint candy from a year or two ago.

I also love the miniature models of the DLR houses, buildings or rides in DL. I have some ToonTown houses from way back. I have a couple of different versions of the Haunted Mansion - regular version and the Haunted Mansion Holiday version. I have a bunch of mini versions of various rides and attractions. But, last year I totally missed out on seeing that DLR was selling miniature versions of the Main Street holiday buildings/facades. They were selling the Emporium, I think, and possibly City Hall and the Fire Dept. Maybe one or two others. I did not do any shopping last year in December and so I did not learn about those Main Street collectibles until after I got back and saw photos on Mice Age or something. Arrrrrrggggggghhhhhhh. I hope they sell them again this year!

 

[funatdisney]

Woo hoo! You're zipping your way through the thread (even with a household of kids and pets!!)!

It is not as hard to read each page, since there are so many wonderful pics. I like that folks posted lots of pictures, and it is fun to note what time of the year they were posted. Even in April, Dis'ers came through with fabulous pics. I also like the pictures of the various collectibles sold at DLR like your ornaments. Although I do get frustrated that I didn't get them when I saw them at the parks.

Do you have two separate Christmas trees each year - one for the Disney ornaments and one for all other ornaments? I think I recall seeing the ornaments you're talking about - the ones with the characters holding a small Mickey ornament. Those were really cute. There were also some other good ones with Tinkerbell posing with peppermint candy from a year or two ago.

I do. In fact, I have three trees, but only one is devoted to my Disney ornaments. The main tree holds special heirloom ornaments from my DH's side of the family and all the ornaments my kids made at school throughout the years. It is the biggest tree. My third and smallest tree is in my TV room. This room is a little off of the beaten path and I just feel there should be something Christmasy in it.

I don't remember the Tinkerbell ornaments. Did they sell them last year? If so, I will add them to my list of must dos.

 

[amamax2]

Can someone pass the potcake?
Oh, sorry took me back to my deadhead days

Oh my gosh - I needed that today!

 

[funatdisney]

I am on page 27 so far. I hope to get back to this thread tonight.

If you want to see a page of DLR Christmas pics go to page 22 and 23 http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2262171&page=22 I especially like the all the different pictures from all over the park shown on these pages. From DL and DCA to the window displays and treats, it is all good. Get your quick Christmas Disney pics fix here!

Sherry E, just a thought. There are lots of questions about the crowd levels at DLR during this time of year. I was wondering if the crowds were on the bit heavy side because of the free day at DL on your birthday. Lots of folks made it to DL on their birthday which may not have gone during an average year.

Another interesting note: on Page 23, specialks posted HydroGuy's link to "Detailed Weather Data for DLR" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=23004158
I thought others may want to know some weather info for DL.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

Sherry E, just a thought. There are lots of questions about the crowd levels at DLR during this time of year. I was wondering if the crowds were on the bit heavy side because of the free day at DL on your birthday. Lots of folks made it to DL on their birthday which may not have gone during an average year.

I know a lot (like us) used the bday promo to upgrade to APs. That would account for the million (or nearly 1 million) AP holders now. Also the payment plan option for socal residents increased the # of local APs. I too wonder if next year the crowd levels will change.

 

[Littleprincess2010]

Im jumping on the Christmas Wagon!! I got through 15 pages before I gave up and started reading the more recent threads.

We're only going to be in the parks on the Holiday opening, November 12, and I need help to figure out some things.

Will it be overly busy?

Are there AP blackouts that day?

Would you reccommend the Holiday Tour? Is it worth it? My mother has walking issues and sometimes needs a cane, would that be a problem in taking the tour?

Any other advice you can offer would be welcomed!!

 

[mvf-m11c]

I know a lot (like us) used the bday promo to upgrade to APs. That would account for the million (or nearly 1 million) AP holders now. Also the payment plan option for socal residents increased the # of local APs. I too wonder if next year the crowd levels will change.

The park did seem very crowded last year during the birthday promotion. We took advantage of the bday promo during my trip in June for my DA bday and upgrade it to a PH and December during my bday trip. Instead of putting it into the AP since my pass doesn't expire in June, I used it for the merchandise. This year for the GAD promotion, I have seen a lot of people have the GAD buttons at both resorts this year. I wouldn't be surprise if more and more guests upgrade their tickets to the AP during their trips.

 

[Sherry E]

It is not as hard to read each page, since there are so many wonderful pics. I like that folks posted lots of pictures, and it is fun to note what time of the year they were posted. Even in April, Dis'ers came through with fabulous pics. I also like the pictures of the various collectibles sold at DLR like your ornaments. Although I do get frustrated that I didn't get them when I saw them at the parks.

I do. In fact, I have three trees, but only one is devoted to my Disney ornaments. The main tree holds special heirloom ornaments from my DH's side of the family and all the ornaments my kids made at school throughout the years. It is the biggest tree. My third and smallest tree is in my TV room. This room is a little off of the beaten path and I just feel there should be something Christmasy in it.

I don't remember the Tinkerbell ornaments. Did they sell them last year? If so, I will add them to my list of must dos.

I noticed some cute ornaments in Disney Dreams' photos (like the adorable Little Green Men from Toy story putting on a Sorcerer Mickey hat, and Rex from Toy Story putting on a pair of mouse ears), but I never made it into the shop in DL to see them up close (too many people in DL that day dampened my spirits and I didn't shop like I wanted to!). So I probably missed those forever, along with missing out on getting the Main Street holiday sculptures. The only shop I poked my head into last year at all was Pooh Corner, and that was mainly to look at the Christmas tree in the shop.

Let's see...when and where did I see the Tinkerbell/peppermint candy ornaments? I think I saw them the first time in 2008, in one of the shops in DCA. And then I noticed a couple of the pieces in the Gag Factory in ToonTown (but not the whole collection). I was actually looking for more candy/cookie/ice cream cone/food ornaments to add to the ones I got which you saw. I didn't see anything new to add in that collection, but I noticed Tinkerbell posing in various ways with assorted peppermint candy things for a series of ornaments. For example, she may be sitting on top of one candy in an ornament, and then maybe in another one she was standing or flying, etc. I didn't buy any of them. In 2008 I also noticed a really cool mini version of the Sleeping Beauty Castle which sort of looked like a mountain/log cabin, and it had a tag on it which said something like "Our little house in the woods," or "Our little cabin in the woods." I didn't buy that either, but I should have.

So fast forward to 2009. As I said, the only shop I went into was Pooh Corner, and I was on a mission to get photos of their cute tree. I had to pass by some merchandise shelves to get back to where the tree was, and I think I saw one of the Tinkerbell/peppermint candy ornaments as I made my way to the tree.

I think that's what DLR does - they release a really cool line of collectibles that are clever, unique and eye-catching and they know people will gobble them up. The following year, they don't sell all the same pieces that they sold the previous year, but they will sell one or two from the collection and then eventually they will all be gone. So in 2007 I hit the jackpot with all the cookie/candy sculptures and ornaments. It was a bonanza! In 2008, they only had a couple of those items for sale in DLR, and not the whole collection. But in 2008 they had the entire Tinkerbell/peppermint candy collection. So, I would bet that in 2009 they only sold one or two of those Tinkerbell pieces. And last year was when they were selling 3 or 4 of the cool Main Street holiday building pieces, while this coming holiday season I bet they will only sell one or two!! They are very sneaky, that Disney! They know exactly how to roll out the super-cool merchandise to tempt us all, sell it for a limited time and then scale it back to make it almost obscure. Then they put out some brand new cool stuff and the whole cycle begins again!

I am on page 27 so far. I hope to get back to this thread tonight.

If you want to see a page of DLR Christmas pics go to page 22 and 23 http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2262171&page=22 I especially like the all the different pictures from all over the park shown on these pages. From DL and DCA to the window displays and treats, it is all good. Get your quick Christmas Disney pics fix here!

Sherry E, just a thought. There are lots of questions about the crowd levels at DLR during this time of year. I was wondering if the crowds were on the bit heavy side because of the free day at DL on your birthday. Lots of folks made it to DL on their birthday which may not have gone during an average year.

Another interesting note: on Page 23, specialks posted HydroGuy's link to "Detailed Weather Data for DLR" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=23004158
I thought others may want to know some weather info for DL.

Woo hoo! Page 27!!

Yes, I imagine the birthday thing last year probably contributed to crowds overall. And then as 3Minnies1Mickey said, many folks used their birthday tickets to get APs, which would expire this year, so that would mean more people making more trips in 12 months. But then this year we had the GAD promo, which may not pull in as many folks as the birthday promo did but will most likely contribute to more people getting APs again. Plus, there have been ticket deals like the Summer Fun Pass or whatever the heck it's called, as well as the 'Get 5 days for the price of 3' deal. There have been a lot of different 'lures' to get people to visit DLR last year and this year.

DLR may start to scale back on all the really good ticket deals when they get DCA fully revamped and ready to rock & roll. Maybe they will still offer them. I'm not sure yet. I know the tickets and APs keep going up in price every year, so at some point certain folks just won't be able to go to DLR anymore - or they won't be able to go as often because it's so expensive. They may have to scale back to just going every few years. While some people venture away from DLR because of prices, other people might be more inclined to visit because of all the new, exciting changes. I, for one, am super excited about the upcoming Little Mermaid ride (which is long, long overdue at DLR) coming next year - and I just have a feeling that ride is going to be extremely popular for a while (meaning mega-long lines for a while). People LOVE Ariel and "The Little Mermaid."

Im jumping on the Christmas Wagon!! I got through 15 pages before I gave up and started reading the more recent threads.

We're only going to be in the parks on the Holiday opening, November 12, and I need help to figure out some things.

Will it be overly busy?

Are there AP blackouts that day?

Would you reccommend the Holiday Tour? Is it worth it? My mother has walking issues and sometimes needs a cane, would that be a problem in taking the tour?

Any other advice you can offer would be welcomed!!

Welcome, Littleprincess2010!! Well, hopefully you saw enough of the great photos in the first 15 pages to give a good idea of what you can look forward to at DLR in November.

Here is my thinking on crowds for 11/12 - I could be very wrong, and others might have a different view, but I think that 11/12 will be busier that day than on a regular November day, because it's a Friday and because it is the start of the holiday season and that holds a certain novelty to it. Plus, the very beautiful It's a Small World Holiday will be up and running and all aglow at night on 11/12, as will the nighttime Winter Castle draped in "icicles" and the snow on Main Street. Certain segments of DLR fans will want to come and see those things on their debut night.

But, all that said, I believe that someone on the DIS just mentioned a few days ago that there are SoCal AP blockout days for the first 2 or 3 days of the holiday season. In fact, I think the SoCal AP holders might be blocked until 11/15 (someone correct me if I am wrong on that), so therefore, the debut holiday weekend might not be excessively crowded.

I have not done the Holiday Tour, but everyone on this thread who has done it has recommended it - if for no other reason, just for the reserved seats for the parade and the ability to get right in IASWH and HMH before other folks waiting in line!!

 

[Littleprincess2010]

Welcome, Littleprincess2010!! Well, hopefully you saw enough of the great photos in the first 15 pages to give a good idea of what you can look forward to at DLR in November.

Here is my thinking on crowds for 11/12 - I could be very wrong, and others might have a different view, but I think that 11/12 will be busier that day than on a regular November day, because it's a Friday and because it is the start of the holiday season and that holds a certain novelty to it. Plus, the very beautiful It's a Small World Holiday will be up and running and all aglow at night on 11/12, as will the nighttime Winter Castle draped in "icicles" and the snow on Main Street. Certain segments of DLR fans will want to come and see those things on their debut night.

But, all that said, I believe that someone on the DIS just mentioned a few days ago that there are SoCal AP blockout days for the first 2 or 3 days of the holiday season. In fact, I think the SoCal AP holders might be blocked until 11/15 (someone correct me if I am wrong on that), so therefore, the debut holiday weekend might not be excessively crowded.

I have not done the Holiday Tour, but everyone on this thread who has done it has recommended it - if for no other reason, just for the reserved seats for the parade and the ability to get right in IASWH and HMH before other folks waiting in line!!

Thank you, I saw enough photos to get very excited about being able to be there that whole week. Seeing the decor going up and being able to experience the holiday magic (even for 1 day) is going to be amazing.

I think we are going to do the tour, it looks like the walking part of it is only 2 hours and then you get drink and snack and go sit down for the parade. Just gotta convince my hubby its worth the money

It would be great (for us) if some of (if not all) the AP's were blocked out, that will make it a little easier on us. We will have done everything else at this point so we're just going to spend the day taking in the sights and soaking up the magic of Disney.

I did manage to get through some more of the more recent threads and there is a lot of great info in there. I am super excited for the christmas treats, yummy!!!

 

[Sherry E]

Thank you, I saw enough photos to get very excited about being able to be there that whole week. Seeing the decor going up and being able to experience the holiday magic (even for 1 day) is going to be amazing.

I think we are going to do the tour, it looks like the walking part of it is only 2 hours and then you get drink and snack and go sit down for the parade. Just gotta convince my hubby its worth the money

It would be great (for us) if some of (if not all) the AP's were blocked out, that will make it a little easier on us. We will have done everything else at this point so we're just going to spend the day taking in the sights and soaking up the magic of Disney.

I did manage to get through some more of the more recent threads and there is a lot of great info in there. I am super excited for the christmas treats, yummy!!!

Well, the good thing is that, if you are there for a week leading up to 11/12, you will get a lot of the holiday feeling and atmosphere already, even before 11/12. Most of the decorations will be up well before 11/12, with the exception of maybe some of the Christmas trees (reportedly, there are 700 Christmas trees up all over DLR - including DTD, all 3 DLR hotels, in window displays, in every restaurant and shop all over the resort, and, of course, in both parks). I'm almost positive that many of the holiday treats and goodies will already be sold before 11/12. Haunted Mansion Holiday will be up and running long before 11/12 (in fact, it will be up and running on September 17th!).

So I would say that the majority of the visual atmospheric holiday things will be out when you arrive at DLR at the beginning of your trip.

What will happen on 11/12, the official start date, is that IASWH will open, the nighttime Winter Castle will be lit up, glowing incandescently throughout the park when the sun goes down, the snow will fall on Main Street and the little light display from the Castle up Main Street will begin. The holiday parade and (hopefully) the tour will start. Also, Santa's Reindeer Round-Up in DL will be open for business, with Santa onsite. Santa will also begin to appear in his other locations in the GCH, the DLH and the PPH - and probably in DCA again - and the Christmas carolers will stroll around DL and appear at all 3 hotels. Also, the atmospheric music will start - like the calypso-inspired versions of holiday songs in Adventureland and the Western-themed Yuletide classics in Frontierland, as well as the jazzy Christmas songs heard in New Orleans Square. You can even hear holiday favorites while sauntering through Critter Country or standing in line for the Pooh ride! The characters will begin to appear in their winter garb for photo ops - like Santa hats or winter sweaters.

So there will be lots to see and soak in pre-11/12, but there will be a lot of holiday stuff that begins on the actual official season start date as well.

I think the parade will be a good investment! That will be a perfect way to sail right onto IASWH without a crazy wait in line. And it's the perfect way to enjoy the parade, with chairs and cocoa and cookies!!

 

[Peri]

Thanks all for the potcake explanation - I did run a thread search before asking, but I must have done it in a stupid way because the only thread that came up was the one saying not to miss it! LOL. Sounds and looks delicious!

 

[funatdisney]

I think that's what DLR does - they release a really cool line of collectibles that are clever, unique and eye-catching and they know people will gobble them up. The following year, they don't sell all the same pieces that they sold the previous year, but they will sell one or two from the collection and then eventually they will all be gone. So in 2007 I hit the jackpot with all the cookie/candy sculptures and ornaments. It was a bonanza! In 2008, they only had a couple of those items for sale in DLR, and not the whole collection. But in 2008 they had the entire Tinkerbell/peppermint candy collection. So, I would bet that in 2009 they only sold one or two of those Tinkerbell pieces. And last year was when they were selling 3 or 4 of the cool Main Street holiday building pieces, while this coming holiday season I bet they will only sell one or two!! They are very sneaky, that Disney! They know exactly how to roll out the super-cool merchandise to tempt us all, sell it for a limited time and then scale it back to make it almost obscure. Then they put out some brand new cool stuff and the whole cycle begins again!

Yes Disney is tricky and those that shop there often know to buy when they see something they like. Disney's marketing strategy allows me to only pick a few collectibles at a time. Or I would go broke! That is why I liked the Dsiney characters holding a small Mickey ornament series. That one seemed to last a few years, so my collection is bigger than my other picks. It helped that I was able to go to WDW and find a few there I haven't seen at DLR. I will keep an eye out for Tinkerbell this year. I just love to look at all the shops at DLR. You never know what treasures you will find.

But, all that said, I believe that someone on the DIS just mentioned a few days ago that there are SoCal AP blockout days for the first 2 or 3 days of the holiday season. In fact, I think the SoCal AP holders might be blocked until 11/15 (someone correct me if I am wrong on that), so therefore, the debut holiday weekend might not be excessively crowded.

I just checked the AP site and SoCal Select is blocked from Nov. 11 to the 14th and SoCal passports are blocked from Nov. 11 to the 13th.
BTW, Disneyland has changed their website. I will have to update my Annual pass info to gain access. Mine is up for renewal next week. I will be renewing mine, but maybe not the others in my family. I will have to see how things go here. Luckily, they don't renew for another month.

 

[funatdisney]

Well stopping on page 38. I will be off for awhile. So I will start page 38 on Monday. Everyone have a great week. Sequoia National Park here I come.

 

[AttilaTheHun]

We are back from Comic-Con in San Diego

<a href="http://www.***********************/"><img src="http://www.***********************/tickers/msey4s4o1018zpo3.png" alt="www.*********************** Ticker" border="0"/></a>

 

[AttilaTheHun]

Well that did not work. Where do I post the counter to show up????? Help

 

[Desert Dwellers]

AttilaTheHun, I think you posted the counter link into your reply instead of your signature.

Click on Quick Links right under the box that says Welcome, AttilaTheHun. Then click on edit signature and paste the url there. There is a preview signature button so you can check before saving your new signature.

Did you use the Insert Link button?