disney at christmas

[princess lovers mom]

is Santa there AFTER Christmas?- he should go back to the North Pole after Christmas Eve? or does he go to DL for a vacation?

 

[Sherry E]

is Santa there AFTER Christmas?- he should go back to the North Pole after Christmas Eve? or does he go to DL for a vacation?

Well, there have been mixed reports. Here is my answer: when I thought I was going to possibly be at DLR after Christmas a couple of years ago, I was afraid I was going to miss Santa and the Carolers - particularly in the GCH lobby/hearth area, where I had planned to plunk down and soak in the holiday atmosphere.

So I called DLR and asked when Santa and the Carolers leave. I was told that Santa leaves (not just the GCH but all of DLR) as soon as December 25th passes. So 12/26 rolls around and no Santa. The carolers stick around for a couple of days past 12/25 and then they are gone. So I was told that once Christmas is over, Santa heads back to the North Pole.

However, one DIS-er on this board said that she has been going to DLR either for New Year's or around New Years for years and that Santa is still there. So I am confused. It's not that the CMs have never been wrong before - they certainly have been wrong. But the one I spoke with was so certain that Santa is gone as of 12/26.

So I think I concluded that if, indeed, Santa has been spotted post-Christmas, it was only in the Reindeer Round-Up. I think Santa is gone from all 3 hotels and from DCA as soon as 12/26 rolls around. Maybe they felt they needed to keep at least one Santa on the premises so they left the Round-Up one. But he is definitely gone from other locations around DLR.

 

[princess lovers mom]

thanks....trying to have my answer ready for why Santa is or isn't there !

 

[Sherry E]

thanks....trying to have my answer ready for why Santa is or isn't there !

Ah, yes...indeed, you have to have an explanation ready to give if little ones question the absence of Santa. At least I don't have to explain to anyone if Santa is gone - only myself! But curious young minds will want to know!! In any case, if the reports from the other DIS-er who has seen Santa past Christmas are accurate, then he very well may be holed up in Santa's Reindeer Round-Up, but in 'regular Santa' clothes and not the red suit.

 

[OctoberDisney]

OK...good...sounds like we have our answer...Goofy's Kitchen it is! My kids LOVE going to buffetts. And while I want them to see characters and have that interaction, I also want them to be able to EAT! The character breakfast will be one of the things that we surprise them with so they won't know about it until we are on our way to breakfast.
Just for fun (and because you guys are so helpful!)...anyone want to give a suggestion for which day?
We arrive on Friday Dec 10 in the afternoon. Have 5 day hoppers that will include a magic morning. In the parks, F to T. I was thinking we'd have a light snack on Sunday morning and head to the parks, then maybe make reservations for around 10:30 or so? Would a "Sunday brunch" scenario be too crowded, do you think?
My other thought was that if DL opens later on Monday morning, we could go to breakfast BEFORE opening on Monday morning?
Any thoughts?

 

[NewbieMouse]

If you went on Monday and wanted to get to park for opening, you'd have to make it for really early (7:00) - my kids hate eating that early.

I think Sunday the brunch is open later than other days (perhaps to 1:00 or 2:00), so you could even make it later (11:30) to have more time in the parks beforehand. I'd put it off as late as you can in the morning to have as many morning hours as possible. For our trip in June we found that time before noon the best part of our day, line/crowd wise.

 

[NewbieMouse]

Anyone have any ideas about when they will start releasing info about special holiday meals and tours?

 

[specialks]

Did anyone see the thread about the EP being extended at WDW?? Here is the blog posting...looks like a good chance it won't make it to DLR this Christmas season. No dates announced though...

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/bl...ctrical-parade-extended-at-walt-disney-world/

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

If you went on Monday and wanted to get to park for opening, you'd have to make it for really early (7:00) - my kids hate eating that early.

I think Sunday the brunch is open later than other days (perhaps to 1:00 or 2:00), so you could even make it later (11:30) to have more time in the parks beforehand. I'd put it off as late as you can in the morning to have as many morning hours as possible. For our trip in June we found that time before noon the best part of our day, line/crowd wise.

Our favorite time to eat at GK is 11 am after a MM.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

Anyone have any ideas about when they will start releasing info about special holiday meals and tours?

They haven't even release the Halloween info yet. I wouldn't expect anything until September or later.

 

[billwendy]

billwendy -

Other than the Candlelight Processional, everything I mentioned in my previous posts will be up and running on November 12th, so you will definitely get the full Christmas feel of all the wonderful things at DLR the week before Thanksgiving. Santa and the Christmas carolers will be out and about on 11/12 and on through Christmas. All the delectable Christmas treats will be available (peppermint ice cream, peppermint fudge, peppermint mochas, various baked goods, shortbread Snowman cookies, etc.). Everything that DLR will have to offer for the holiday season (minus the CP) should begin on 11/12, so you will not miss any of it!

Are you going to be staying overnight? Remember, while you are seeing WoC at DCA at night, there will be snow falling on Main Street in DL, the nighttime Winter Castle will be lit up in all its glory, the giant Christmas tree on Main street will be twinkling in blue (as though it was just kissed with snow) and the nighttime version of It's a Small World Holiday will be enchanting folks with its stunning light display. Don't miss those things in DL. Hopefully WoC will have a couple of shows at night so you can see one and then rush back over to DL to see all of that wonderful stuff!

THank you for the info - Its so much help!!! Yes, we are hoping to do 3 days in DL and then my conference in Pasadena ....Do you think planning mon, tues and wed in the parks would exclude me from seeing WOC? I really do want to see all the DL stuff too - so are weeknights okay, or ??? Also, a 3 day pass - is that for 1 park each day or can you go back and forth between (like a hopper at WDW)? We were thinking of HoJo's because of the entertainment rate - do you guys think thats okay? Im just trying to decide when to come and go!!

 

[Sherry E]

THank you for the info - Its so much help!!! Yes, we are hoping to do 3 days in DL and then my conference in Pasadena ....Do you think planning mon, tues and wed in the parks would exclude me from seeing WOC? I really do want to see all the DL stuff too - so are weeknights okay, or ??? Also, a 3 day pass - is that for 1 park each day or can you go back and forth between (like a hopper at WDW)? We were thinking of HoJo's because of the entertainment rate - do you guys think thats okay? Im just trying to decide when to come and go!!

Oh good! If you have 3 days you will have lots of time to see things!

Of course, we don't know what kind of WoC schedule will be implemented during the holidays yet. I can only imagine it will be scaled back somewhat from what it is now, and it may only be weekends or once every night (including weeknights). It's so hard to say what they will do. I think Mon-Tues-Wed would be great just for visiting the parks in general, as those days will be less crowded than a weekend, but you may miss WoC if they only run it on weekends.

The 3-day Park Hopper is sold at DLR too. In fact, you can only buy a 1-day/1-park ticket at DLR (meaning you cannot buy a 2-day single park ticket or higher), and use it at either park, but anything past one day is automatically a Hopper. So you can go back and forth between DL and DCA (which are right across the Esplanade from each other).

HoJo's is very popular with DIS-ers here. As long as the enetrtainment rate is happening on your dates, I think it would be a good choice. Someone else might have another suggestion, though.

 

[billwendy]

Sherry - do you know if the local hotels have any half day type passes? Then maybe we could squeeze in some time on a weekend day....??? Im soooo excited!!!!!!!!

 

[mvf-m11c]

Sherry is right about that HoJo's is a great place to get a good discount with the entertainment card. On selected days, you can get a hotel room for only $59 a night. If they don't have the selected days for the entertainment days, you can still get a good discount at 20% off for each night. Check out the HoJo main website about the Entertainment Rate. The location is very close, but it can be noisy when it is right next to I-5 and inside the rooms it is very comfortable inside.

 

[Sherry E]

Sherry - do you know if the local hotels have any half day type passes? Then maybe we could squeeze in some time on a weekend day....??? Im soooo excited!!!!!!!!

Sadly, no half-day tickets. That's too bad because I know there are often times when a lot of us have just enough time to go back into the park(s) for a half-day but don't want to pay full price.

The only time I have heard of half-day tickets is in conjunction with certain conventions or conferences near DLR. But you can't buy them at hotels or at DLR.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Sadly, no half-day tickets. That's too bad because I know there are often times when a lot of us have just enough time to go back into the park(s) for a half-day but don't want to pay full price.

The only time I have heard of half-day tickets is in conjunction with certain conventions or conferences near DLR. But you can't buy them at hotels or at DLR.

I remember that DL had a half day ticket, I believe the price for a half day ticket was at $45 during the D23 Expo last year. The CMs were handing out the half day ticket coupon at the DL parks kiosk and had a special deal for attendees at the D23 Expo if they want to go to DL after 4pm. But like Sherry said that it is only available during a conference.

 

[M2DD's]

Christmas wk help please

Our dates our December 23- Jan 1st(travel on the 23&1st) so we have 8 days where we can go to the parks. We will have 6 day hopper passes and 2 days off to enjoy other parks(sea world or universal) which 2 days should we not do a DLR park? Basically the 2 busiest days would be.......?

I'm thinking christmas day and new yrs eve

So any idea on which 2 days to skip?

 

[Sherry E]

Christmas wk help please

Our dates our December 23- Jan 1st(travel on the 23&1st) so we have 8 days where we can go to the parks. We will have 6 day hopper passes and 2 days off to enjoy other parks(sea world or universal) which 2 days should we not do a DLR park? Basically the 2 busiest days would be.......?

I'm thinking christmas day and new yrs eve

So any idea on which 2 days to skip?

Well, let's see...New Year's Eve is probably a very good bet for one day to avoid. The way I look at it is that if December 31st is your only chance to go to DLR for a while and there is no way to possibly avoid 12/31, then go and mentally prepare for it, and try to do the best you can. But if you can avoid it - and it sounds like you have the option of avoiding it - then do so.

Now the other day to avoid is tricky, and here is why. Reports have said that December 26th is incredibly crowded as well - and it would make sense, as people flock to DLR in droves, with holiday money to spend and free of family and work obligations. Actually, the whole week between Christmas and New Year's is supposed to be mega-crowded.

So this leaves me stuck on which should be the other day to avoid. I think you should go to DLR on 12/24 and 12/25 and get as much done in those two days as you can. I guess I think you should avoid the 26th and the 31st. But I really think it will be pretty packed that whole week between 12/26 and 12/31, so your other 4 DLR days will come in handy - you will need that extra time to spread everything out and get it all done in spite of the crowds. So it's a really good idea to have the 6-day Hoppers, I think!

Anyway, those are just my thoughts. Others on this thread might have different suggestions.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

My Xmas trip is in jeopardy!!!!!!! I hate being in limbo...

1) DD8 had her first visit to the orthodontist and the work that we thought she'd need in another year or so starts NOW!!! $2400 over the next year ($1000 will be reimbursed by my insurance but we still need to pay it out first).

2) DSister is loosing her roommate and will have to move. My dad will most likely have to help her out with finances instead of paying for her portion of the Disney trip.

We could swing both the orthodontist with payment plans AND the Disney trip, but the point of going was to take DNephew for his first trip. So now I sit in limbo until September/October to see what happens with DS's living situation.

 

[Sherry E]

My Xmas trip is in jeopardy!!!!!!! I hate being in limbo...

1) DD8 had her first visit to the orthodontist and the work that we thought she'd need in another year or so starts NOW!!! $2400 over the next year ($1000 will be reimbursed by my insurance but we still need to pay it out first).

2) DSister is loosing her roommate and will have to move. My dad will most likely have to help her out with finances instead of paying for her portion of the Disney trip.

We could swing both the orthodontist with payment plans AND the Disney trip, but the point of going was to take DNephew for his first trip. So now I sit in limbo until September/October to see what happens with DS's living situation.

Uh-oh! I hope everything works out. I know you were already so disappointed that HalloweenTime was not in the cards for you this year, so if Christmas doesn't work out either, that will just be too depressing! But I can see how it's looking rather bleak at the moment and it doesn't help that you have to stay in a state of uncertainty until Fall.

I can totally relate to and empathize with the dilemma of unexpected expenses and things 'coming up' when you have plans underway. That was the story of last year for me. Actually, 'things' started to come up and threaten my plans in 2008 but somehow I managed to work around them and carry on. However, in 2009, one thing after another was popping up and I really, really was not sure if I would even make it to DLR at all last year until, literally, the last minute before each trip. Frankly, this year isn't going all that smoothly either, but I don't think it will be as bad as last year was for me.

It's so disheartening, too. You have a plan in mind and you're all excited for how things are going to pan out, you can envision munching on that gingerbread man cookie with mouse ears and then - POW! You hit an unexpected roadblock of some kind. In your mind you try to devise ways to still make the trip happen despite all the obstacles (at least I do), and sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.

I am crossing my fingers for you!!