disney at christmas

[Goofy_Mom]

While we are on the subject of Christmas movies, Nighmare Before Christmas carries over from Halloween. Strictly Christmas for me are White Christmas with Bing Crosby, A Muppet Christmas Carol, Mickey's Christmas Carol, The Grinch, and those old claymation movies of Rudolph and Frosty the Snowman.

 

[Sherry E]

I actually like Halloween better than Christmas without Disney in the equation. No matter what your social status is or what you are dressed up as, every child has the same potietial to score the same amount of loot while trick or treating. All you need is a bed sheet with the eyes cut out and a pillow case to haul your score. October has the best weather (in CA) usually, and my birthday is this month. However, I will say the Christmas spirit is even more so contagious at Disneyland (provided your not sandwiched in crowds) The whole place seems to shimmer.

That's a very interesting perspective about Halloween, without Disney in the equation - and it makes a lot of sense. You make a lot of good points. And at DLR, you don't even need a costume of any kind to get tons of candy!!

"Shimmer" is a perfect way to describe DLR at Christmas. You're right - it really does seem that way. Not only is the mood contagious but it's all over the resort - including all the hotels. None of your senses are left un-stimulated. No corner of the resort is left undecorated. If only they could get to that level of detail and immersion for the Halloween season at DLR, it would be wonderful!!

 

[Sherry E]

While we are on the subject of Christmas movies, Nighmare Before Christmas carries over from Halloween. Strictly Christmas for me are White Christmas with Bing Crosby, A Muppet Christmas Carol, Mickey's Christmas Carol, The Grinch, and those old claymation movies of Rudolph and Frosty the Snowman.

Yep, those are the Rankin-Bass movies. I love those! I grew up watching those and I still get happy when I see them air every year on the Family Channel!!

"Nightmare Before Christmas" is a great movie. I know that many folks prefer the Haunted Mansion in its non-HMH form, but I love the overlay. Actually, what I love is that there are two versions of that ride within a year.

 

[tksbaskets]

Teresa - I love that Bowie/Crosby duet too! It reminds me of Christmas and of Bing Crosby's old holiday specials. I remember first watching that duet when it aired, thinking, "Hmmm...that's an odd pair!"

By the way, sort of off topic but sort of not off topic - maybe I should ask this over in the Halloween thread, but I was curious to know how you felt about Halloween Time at DLR and how it stacks up to Christmastime in your opinion. Now that you've done both and can make the comparison...do you agree with me in my sentiment that Halloween Time is extra fun and I love it, but it is lacking a certain bit of "magic" that Christmas time has by the ton? Christmas time is a whole separate level of magic (probably because it extends all over the entire Resort and not just in one park) that Halloween Time doesn't really come close to. OR, do you feel like some others on the DIS feel and think that Halloween is just as great as - or even better than - DLR at Christmas time?

Now that I'm back and have the perspective I must admit that the Christmas/Holiday spirit at DL and DCA is much more immerisive. Both parks are decorated to the hilt and shining with Christmas spirit. The resorts as well.

Halloween at DL is great but there was absolutely nothing over at DCA that said "hey it's Halloween'. I didn't have time to check out the resorts. My enjoyment of DCA was simply because I love the rides over there.

If I had to pick and go ONLY at one time of the year, Christmas would win HANDS DOWN.

 

[tdashgirl]

Now that I'm back and have the perspective I must admit that the Christmas/Holiday spirit at DL and DCA is much more immerisive. Both parks are decorated to the hilt and shining with Christmas spirit. The resorts as well.

Halloween at DL is great but there was absolutely nothing over at DCA that said "hey it's Halloween'. I didn't have time to check out the resorts. My enjoyment of DCA was simply because I love the rides over there.

If I had to pick and go ONLY at one time of the year, Christmas would win HANDS DOWN.

Agreed with all points

 

[mvf-m11c]

I agree with tksbaskets and tdashgirl about the Holiday season at DL. It is more magical at DL during the Holiday season than the Halloween season (no disrespect to the Halloween season, I love the Halloween season). There is way more decorations during the Holiday season than the Halloween season. I wish DCA had more decorations, but with the promotion to WoC and the construction, I understand the situation at DCA.

By far the Holiday season wins by far to me.

 

[Sherry E]

Now that I'm back and have the perspective I must admit that the Christmas/Holiday spirit at DL and DCA is much more immerisive. Both parks are decorated to the hilt and shining with Christmas spirit. The resorts as well.

Halloween at DL is great but there was absolutely nothing over at DCA that said "hey it's Halloween'. I didn't have time to check out the resorts. My enjoyment of DCA was simply because I love the rides over there.

If I had to pick and go ONLY at one time of the year, Christmas would win HANDS DOWN.

Yep. That's how I feel, word for word. I think they could do so much more with Halloween Time. I always say, I like to feel as though the entire resort is involved in the celebration of the season, not just one park. I don't want to feel like, "Hey, everybody, it's Halloween Time in Disneyland!" But then over in DCA, it's, "Halloween Time? Uhhh...we forgot about it..." I like to be fully immersed, everywhere I go. To me, it seems as though I am stepping out of the experience when one park is celebrating Halloween but the rest of the resort is not.

You didn't miss out on anything at the hotels. They don't decorate for Halloween Time either. Apparently, on Halloween day/night only, the GCH puts up a special PhotoPass hayloft/pumpkin thing - but only on Halloween. Why don't they leave it up all season long? There are no traces of Halloween in any of the three hotels unless you go into the gift shops.

Plus, even in DL, there are long stretches of time/space where you can walk and not see any trace of Halloween. You might never know it was Halloween Time if not for Main Street, Dia de los Muertos and the Round-Up. Again, it's not like that at Christmas, where no stone is left unturned and they decorate all over.

What I worry about is that DCA will be left without holiday decorations this year because there is too much going on with the construction, ElecTRONica, World of Color, etc. Not only will they probably not do the CALIFORNIA letters in the candy cane stripes, but they may not do anything in A Bug's Land this year, either. I can't imagine that they would leave DCA as barren in terms of decor as they did for Halloween, but I bet they won't do as much as they have in the past. There may not even be a Santa in DCA this year (he wasn't there in 2008 - they could remove him again).

But even if DCA is left kind of empty this holiday season, at least the 3 hotels and all the restaurants and shops decorate for Christmas, unlike for Halloween Time.

 

[Goofy_Mom]

Yep. That's how I feel, word for word. I think they could do so much more with Halloween Time. I always say, I like to feel as though the entire resort is involved in the celebration of the season, not just one park. I don't want to feel like, "Hey, everybody, it's Halloween Time in Disneyland!" But then over in DCA, it's, "Halloween Time? Uhhh...we forgot about it..." I like to be fully immersed, everywhere I go. To me, it seems as though I am stepping out of the experience when one park is celebrating Halloween but the rest of the resort is not.

You didn't miss out on anything at the hotels. They don't decorate for Halloween Time either. Apparently, on Halloween day/night only, the GCH puts up a special PhotoPass hayloft/pumpkin thing - but only on Halloween. Why don't they leave it up all season long? There are no traces of Halloween in any of the three hotels unless you go into the gift shops.

Plus, even in DL, there are long stretches of time/space where you can walk and not see any trace of Halloween. You might never know it was Halloween Time if not for Main Street, Dia de los Muertos and the Round-Up. Again, it's not like that at Christmas, where no stone is left unturned and they decorate all over.

What I worry about is that DCA will be left without holiday decorations this year because there is too much going on with the construction, ElecTRONica, World of Color, etc. Not only will they probably not do the CALIFORNIA letters in the candy cane stripes, but they may not do anything in A Bug's Land this year, either. I can't imagine that they would leave DCA as barren in terms of decor as they did for Halloween, but I bet they won't do as much as they have in the past. There may not even be a Santa in DCA this year (he wasn't there in 2008 - they could remove him again).

But even if DCA is left kind of empty this holiday season, at least the 3 hotels and all the restaurants and shops decorate for Christmas, unlike for Halloween Time.

Okay, I kinda get why they wouldn't do the candy cane letters since they're gonna remove the letters anyway, but why not dec-out Bugs Land? As I understand it, that area is more heavily trafficed due to the trolley contruction and folks have to walk through it to get to Alladin and TOT. I'ld think the smart thing to do would be to put even more decorations up because more people would be able to enjoy them

 

[Sherry E]

Okay, I kinda get why they wouldn't do the candy cane letters since they're gonna remove the letters anyway, but why not dec-out Bugs Land? As I understand it, that area is more heavily trafficed due to the trolley contruction and folks have to walk through it to get to Alladin and TOT. I'ld think the smart thing to do would be to put even more decorations up because more people would be able to enjoy them

I can see why they would not bother with the candy cane letters, but I hope they do them anyway - one last time!! I just have a hunch they won't.

You're right - there should be no reason to not decorate A Bug's Land as they normally do, but in my mind, they could have put Candy Corn Acres in DCA for Halloween Time this year and they didn't. They could have easily, easily moved at least part of it to A Bug's Land and they chose not to. To me it seems like they are scaling back the holiday celebrations because there is so much focus on World of Color this year, as well as ElecTRONica. I hope I'm wrong, though! I hope they don't leave DCA out of the Christmas celebration. I have no idea why Santa didn't appear in DCA in 2008, but he was missing in action!! I was glad to see him return to DCA last year.

I was just on the phone with a CM a little while ago, and I expressed concern over DCA possibly not being decorated or holiday-ized this year because of the total lack of decorations for Halloween. The CM said that she and her fellow CM's in their office had also wondered why there was no Candy Corn Acres this year. They had not been told anything about why, specifically, Candy Corn Acres didn't appear. But she added, "Christmas time is a very special time at Disneyland, so I'm sure they won't take anything away from what they usually do."

Let's hope this CM is right!

 

[where's_my_prince]

yes elf is a great movie, i've never seen love actually though i really want to

my favorite Christmas movie ever though is "Christmas story" i'm quite obsessed with it!!! YOU"LL SHOOT YOUR EYE OUT KID!

 

[Sherry E]

yes elf is a great movie, i've never seen love actually though i really want to

my favorite Christmas movie ever though is "Christmas story" i'm quite obsessed with it!!! YOU"LL SHOOT YOUR EYE OUT KID!

That movie is sooooo popular! The still run "Christmas Story" marathons on TV during the season - where they just keep showing it back to back to back for hours on end!!

As for "Love, Actually." If you liked "Notting Hill" or "Four Weddings and a Funeral"...I think "Love Actually" is better!!

 

[Goofy_Mom]

I can see why they would not bother with the candy cane letters, but I hope they do them anyway - one last time!! I just have a hunch they won't.

You're right - there should be no reason to not decorate A Bug's Land as they normally do, but in my mind, they could have put Candy Corn Acres in DCA for Halloween Time this year and they didn't. They could have easily, easily moved at least part of it to A Bug's Land and they chose not to. To me it seems like they are scaling back the holiday celebrations because there is so much focus on World of Color this year, as well as ElecTRONica. I hope I'm wrong, though! I hope they don't leave DCA out of the Christmas celebration. I have no idea why Santa didn't appear in DCA in 2008, but he was missing in action!! I was glad to see him return to DCA last year.

I was just on the phone with a CM a little while ago, and I expressed concern over DCA possibly not being decorated or holiday-ized this year because of the total lack of decorations for Halloween. The CM said that she and her fellow CM's in their office had also wondered why there was no Candy Corn Acres this year. They had not been told anything about why, specifically, Candy Corn Acres didn't appear. But she added, "Christmas time is a very special time at Disneyland, so I'm sure they won't take anything away from what they usually do."

Let's hope this CM is right!

Is there a way to "pre protest". Let the Disney decorators know they "HAVE TO" put the chirstmas decorations up EVERYWHERE!!? Maybe they've already thought of putting some decorations over the elecTRONica beams, project some christmas sceans onto WOC, and of course DCA's tree. Maybe, just maybe, the Disney folks are on the ball this time Oh well, here's hopin!!

 

[Goofy_Mom]

yes elf is a great movie, i've never seen love actually though i really want to

my favorite Christmas movie ever though is "Christmas story" i'm quite obsessed with it!!! YOU"LL SHOOT YOUR EYE OUT KID!

Funny story time. We were visiting at Grandmas house over christmas time some years ago. My brother, sister, daughter, and me were watch Elf and it came to the part when the phone rings at the office and Buddy answers it and says "Buddy Elf, what's your favorite color?" We were rolling, five seconds later the phone rings. My brother jumps up and repeats the line in the exact fashion that Buddy did. We were smilling but very quite, waiting to hear the responce from whoever called. My brother said it was one of my aunts, she said "uhhhhhh, hello" we burst out laughing. One of those goofy moments we just get lost it!!

 

[Sherry E]

I just sealed my fate and gave up my Halloween Time plans. Instead, I took advantage of the nifty 35% off discount PIN offer that I got from DLR and booked the PPH for 12/12 - 12/15. As much as I wanted to go for Halloween Time (as I do every year), Christmas time is more special and important to me, and I really, really enjoy staying onsite. Last year, I only went for one day for the holidays, and it was way too crowded to get much done in such a short period of time.

This time I chose Sunday - Wednesday instead of a full weekend stay like I would normally do - I am praying this means lighter crowds. There will be a private party on 12/13 and 12/14, so I will have to work around DL closing at 6 p.m. I can find other things to do at night without having to be in DL, though.

I think I made the right choice. Hopefully, nothing will happen to cause me to cancel! I think it was meant to be. It seemed like the 'right' thing to do - I found out that very few people, if anyone, have received the PIN offer that I got - so far. I'm sure more people will get this offer (or a similar one) in the next month, but the offer that I got was something the CM I spoke to hadn't even heard of yet. She had to pull up my specific contact information on the computer to see that I had been offered this PIN, and she said that no one she, personally, has booked has used this offer yet. It's a really good rate ($163 per night), given that it's not an AP rate - it's on par with what some AP rates would be.

However, I'm planning on getting a new AP in December, so if a better rate comes out than the offer I've gotten - like an AP rate that's lower than $163 per night - I will switch my reservation to that!!

 

[PHXscuba]

I vote for decorations in DCA too!! I'm sure it's already been decided -- shame they won't give us any specific details even with the season less than a month away!

I'll jump on the "fave Christmas music" bandwagon, slightly late.

Favorite spiritual song: "O Holy Night"

Favorite upbeat song: "Sleigh Ride" -- always makes me think of Disneyland because my high school band got to perform there every Christmas season and that was what we played marching down Main Street. I always tell the kids it's not Christmastime until I hear that song.

DD11's favorite Christmas song: "I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas." She loved this song when she was about 2 and -- honestly -- asked me for a hippo for Christmas the next year. She thought a hippo was about the size of our Labrador because she'd never seen a real one! Once we got her over that, hippos are still her favorite animal.

PHXscuba

 

[PHXscuba]

Sherry, I'm so glad you got to book your trip -- and with a smokin' discount too! I know you've done so much work on the Halloween thread and trying to plan a trip, but I know you'll be so glad when you get there in December. Plus if you get your AP in December you almost guarantee you can go back next October AND December!

PHXscuba

 

[Sherry E]

Sherry, I'm so glad you got to book your trip -- and with a smokin' discount too! I know you've done so much work on the Halloween thread and trying to plan a trip, but I know you'll be so glad when you get there in December. Plus if you get your AP in December you almost guarantee you can go back next October AND December!

PHXscuba

Thank you! I hope it goes off without a hitch for me - I'm so tried of running into roadblocks, both last year and this year. It's draining! I always crucnh numbers and 'comparison shop,' and I try so hard to get the best 'deal,' while not compromising all of my ideas for the trip. I may compromise in some areas (like I would enjoy staying at the GCH but I'm not!). I usually don't go all out and do extra things anyway - I haven't done the tour yet, for example. But not on the whole thing!

As for the AP - that's a big part of what it came down to for me, too - how many trips of which sort would I get with this AP. In addition to the PIN discount that seemed to be calling my name, I also thought about the AP. I was thinking, Well, if I get the AP when I go in October, then I will have two Halloween trips (2010 and 2011) and only one Christmas trip (2010) with this AP. That balance seems 'off,' given my love of the holiday season. So if I scrap this year's Halloween Time trip, stick with the holidays and get my AP in December (thank goodness for the SoCal resident monthly payment plan!), then I will have two holiday trips and one Halloween Time (2011) trip...which seems like a better balance for me!! Not to mention all the other benefits (discounts) that come with the AP...


So I'm not the only one who loves "O Holy Night"!! Yay!! It really is a beautiful song. I'm not deeply religious (though I grew up Protestant and went to church as a kid), but I like the song because it has a nice melody and is dramatic in parts!!

 

[amamax2]

Yay Sherry! So glad you booked your trip (and four days - woo hoo!), although I am sorry it didn't work out for Halloween. Have you ever gone to DL on a week day before or always weekends? We've only ever been on week days - so much more enjoyable! I've got my fingers and toes crossed for you that every piece of the trip works out exactly like you want.

Ok, favorite Christmas song ever: Mary, Did You Know? It makes me cry every time I hear it.

We also have a Brian Setzer (used to be in Stray Cats, if I may date myself) Christmas album - love, love it!!! He puts his own little groovy spin to all the classics.

And movie: White Christmas ("Sister, sister...la la la la..")

 

[Sherry E]

Yay Sherry! So glad you booked your trip (and four days - woo hoo!), although I am sorry it didn't work out for Halloween. Have you ever gone to DL on a week day before or always weekends? We've only ever been on week days - so much more enjoyable! I've got my fingers and toes crossed for you that every piece of the trip works out exactly like you want.

Ok, favorite Christmas song ever: Mary, Did You Know? It makes me cry every time I hear it.

We also have a Brian Setzer (used to be in Stray Cats, if I may date myself) Christmas album - love, love it!!! He puts his own little groovy spin to all the classics.

And movie: White Christmas ("Sister, sister...la la la la..")

Thank you! I hope it all works out too. It was not easy giving up Halloween Time this year, because I do love it - but it was not in the cards to do both in 2010. I will really miss seeing the Round-Up - I think that's what I was most looking forward to (other than Haunted Mansion Holiday, which I adore, but I'll see that in December). I will be able to do Halloween Time in 2011 with the new AP, though, as well as a holiday 2011 visit.

If my friends from out of town were not most likely headed out here in early January and planning a DLR trip, I might not be getting an AP, but it makes little sense to get a 3 or 4-day Hopper for my trip and then a 2-day Hopper when they get here. An AP makes more sense, especially with the monthly payments.

I've always been at DLRI on weekends, so these dates I picked will be a refreshing change (even though DL closes early on 12/13 and 12/14)!! I did 3-night stays in 2008. Those were more productive and not as rushed as the 2-night stays were. I seem to be able to get more done and be less stressed when I can stretch things out a bit more. I have to make up for not getting anything done last year in that one-day trip!

 

[where's_my_prince]

ya on christmas day my tv stays on TBS ( the channel that has the marathon) all day long . i have like 8 christmas story shirt i wear even when its not christmas time and i actually just got a christmas story snuggie. like i said OBSESSED

even though it saddens me your not going for halloween time, i'm super excited for you for booking your christmas trip!!! i would love to stay at a onsite hotel, its weird i've gone to disney well over 100 times in my life and have NEVER stayed at one their hotels i really really want to though!