disney at christmas

[mommato4]

Hello, We have been to DL twice, both times at Christmas, our first day being Christmas DAY. This year we are going again, over christmas, except it will be 21 on. I can't say what it's like compared to a regular time of year but we LOVE it christmas. It works for us for a few reasons, husband is a school principal so he has it off, we make sure we are there over christmas day, therefore we buy NO presents for our 4 kids or ourselves. I tend to spend alot on presents so that money goes towards DL. It is SUPER busy, super busy. Our last 5 days the park closed 3 of those days due to capacity. However, if you know it's busy, your ready for it, and it's DISNEYLAND... how can you be crabby It really IS the happiest place on earth!

 

[kirstie101]

When I was in college (so over 10 years ago) I went with some friends a few days before Christmas and I remember it being absolutely beautiful. One of these days, when DD is a little older and into Christmas I want to go back and see it again. I know my Mom would love it. Im a huge Christmas person so add that to Disney magic and you just can't beat it IMO.

 

[DisneySuiteFreak]

DisneySuiteFreak~thank you for posting your gorgeous photos!!
We usually go for our annivarsary which is the leader of the clubs birthday and everything is all Christmassy but havnt been for 2 years so havnt had the chance to see the castle with the "ice" overlay!!
We leave 2 months from today and your photos really help set the mood!
Anyone who gets a chance to go at Christmas, should!

Thank you for the compliment! I'm glad you enjoyed them!

I will never forget the tears that rolled down my cheek (and I don't cry easily) as the Silent Night portion of the fireworks show began one night as I stood alone in front the castle. That soft beautiful guitar music and the one star shooting across the night sky made me feel like for just an instant what it must have been like for the shepherds on that first Christmas night as the star shone brightly in the sky. By the time the snow fell at the end, I again felt like Scrooge, only this time the Scrooge at the end of Dickens' classic.
I've been to Disneyland every year in December since. It's as much a part of the holidays for me as caroling and hot cocoa.

I have had the same thing happen to me every year. There's something about the melancholy chord structure and the way the song is performed... I believe it's Kelly Coffee singing Silent Night, but at any rate, if it is her, she does an outstanding job on that song and White Christmas at the end too. I always cry the first time I see this firework show. It's simply amazing!

 

[smiley_face2]

this is the best thread ever!! well the food porn thread is pretty good too.... anyway... It is hands down the best time to go, and yes, somehow they manage to rekindle a lot of Christmas spirit, and funnily enough, peace and joy! even with the crowds! I absolutely can not wait to be sitting on a bench on main street, sipping a holiday latte and gazing at the stunning castle while the joyful music of Christmas plays and the scents of sugary goodness waft from the bakery and candy palace

 

[abouley]

I LOVE the Christmas theming in the parks and have done both WDW and DL end of Nov/early Dec to get to see the decorations. But, one year we arrived at DL the day after Christmas and stayed 3 days and it was HORRIBLE crowd wise. The lines were all over 120 minutes in the afternoon (most more like 150 min) and over in New Orleans area you couldn't even get around because of the lines being so long and so many people walking. And we got stuck on main street for probably 30 minutes in a "traffic jam" unable to move after a parade....It started to get scary as people started pushing and shoving a bit. So, while I definitely try to get there during the season, I have tried to avoid the week between Christmas and New Year's. Is it still as crazy? I'm trying to remember what year this was... it was probably 9 years ago or so.

Alison

 

[DisneySuiteFreak]

I LOVE the Christmas theming in the parks and have done both WDW and DL end of Nov/early Dec to get to see the decorations. But, one year we arrived at DL the day after Christmas and stayed 3 days and it was HORRIBLE crowd wise. The lines were all over 120 minutes in the afternoon (most more like 150 min) and over in New Orleans area you couldn't even get around because of the lines being so long and so many people walking. And we got stuck on main street for probably 30 minutes in a "traffic jam" unable to move after a parade....It started to get scary as people started pushing and shoving a bit. So, while I definitely try to get there during the season, I have tried to avoid the week between Christmas and New Year's. Is it still as crazy? I'm trying to remember what year this was... it was probably 9 years ago or so.
Alison

The same thing happened to me one year when my son was younger. He had to go to the restroom so I sent him to the one by the Plaza Restaurant and TL. We got separated and the CMs wouldn't allow him to cross over to where I was holding a spot for the parade. They wanted him to go all the way around BY HIMSELF and I just knew he would get lost because he was young and didn't really know his way around the park that well. It was very frustrating and scary. I could see him and I even told the CMs, "He's right there, can't he just cross over to me?" And they said no he had to go all the way around. People were shoving, being herded like cattle, and you feel like you can't breathe it's so claustrophobic.So I left our spot and went to him and we said to heck with it.
Since then, I try to avoid going during the last few days before Xmas and through New Years. We usually go from NY day onward and the crowds are much lower but they still have all the decor and xmas music, etc. until the first Monday following NY. Whenever we've gone during Xmas break, they usually end up putting up the crowd capacity signs because it's so busy, but we've always made it into the parks. You do just kind of have to go knowing it will be that way and that you won't be able to go on as many rides or experience the attractions in the same way, but enjoy the magic of the park w/ all the extra touches of the holidays.

ETA: I meant that everything starts to come down on that first Monday, so it's actually decorated and everything's running through Sunday night.

 

[tatehermosa]

I went last year at right before christmas and it rainned, I mean poured all 3 days we were there. We still had fun, the christmas spirit was in full-effect but it was sure wet.

 

[bumbershoot]

DisneySuiteFreak, those are definitely gorgeous pictures!

Let me say this about Disneyland at Christmas. I'm a Christian, so this time of year is extra special for me. But there was a time in my life when nothing seemed to go right for me. As December rolled around, it had literally become just another month for me. On the inside, I literally felt like Ebeneezer Scrooge, and my normal hope and optimism was replaced by despair and cynicism.

And then my family went to Disneyland later that month. I will never forget the tears that rolled down my cheek (and I don't cry easily) as the Silent Night portion of the fireworks show began one night as I stood alone in front the castle. That soft beautiful guitar music and the one star shooting across the night sky made me feel like for just an instant what it must have been like for the shepherds on that first Christmas night as the star shone brightly in the sky. By the time the snow fell at the end, I again felt like Scrooge, only this time the Scrooge at the end of Dickens' classic.

I've been to Disneyland every year in December since. It's as much a part of the holidays for me as caroling and hot cocoa.

And I will add....we are NOT of that religion. Hubby's Korean Buddhist but has only been to temple once since I've known him, and that was for his father's memorial service. I was raised without any religion after my mom decided that sleeping in one day a week (worked 6 days a week, single mom) was better than going to UU church. I've thought about religion, but it just doesn't work for me.

And yet...going to DLR at Yuletime (you can see where my thoughts lean with what I call the season) is AMAZING. The lights, the smells, the feeling all around...I've been known, in my 20s, to go to the big fancy "singing christmas tree" events at Southern Baptist churches (since I was in the South in my 20s) just to soak up the good vibes of the church...and that's what it's like for me at DLR during that time.

And I love the DCA decorations.

So if a borderline atheist like me can get all goopy feeling at Yuletime there...yeah, anyone can. It's worth going, no matter where your personal convictions lie...

 

[FourOrchards]

We are going right before Christmas and it's one of my favorite times to go.
We went last year and we got rained on. One year it was bitter cold. I hope the weather is nice this year...I am praying the weather is great!

 

[DisneySuiteFreak]

DisneySuiteFreak, those are definitely gorgeous pictures!

Thank you Molly! I'm glad you enjoyed them!

 

[smiley_face2]

We are going right before Christmas and it's one of my favorite times to go.
We went last year and we got rained on. One year it was bitter cold. I hope the weather is nice this year...I am praying the weather is great!

We were there right after Christmas last year, and for New Years which was so foggy and cold... We had not brought heavy coats with us and were all bundled in multiple layers with giant fleece Disneyland hoodies on top... the fog was so thick, you could not see the fireworks at midnight AT ALL! just the music playing and the booming.... crazy! I am really hoping as well this year the weather is better.... a few years ago we were swimming on Christmas day cause it was so hot!! generally we avoid the park right on Christmas day, it is so very crowded. It has it's charms though.... we spent most of our time just going to shows, watching parades etc. if the weather is nice, it's great.... if the weather is not nice then it's not great sitting on the sidewalk for a good hour to have a spot to watch the Christmas parade. One year hubby dd and ds stayed at the hotel to swim and relax by the pool (another hot year) and just youngest dd and I went to the park, that was fun too.

 

[SarahDISer]

DisneySuiteFreak, those are definitely gorgeous pictures!





And I will add....we are NOT of that religion. Hubby's Korean Buddhist but has only been to temple once since I've known him, and that was for his father's memorial service. I was raised without any religion after my mom decided that sleeping in one day a week (worked 6 days a week, single mom) was better than going to UU church. I've thought about religion, but it just doesn't work for me.

And yet...going to DLR at Yuletime (you can see where my thoughts lean with what I call the season) is AMAZING. The lights, the smells, the feeling all around...I've been known, in my 20s, to go to the big fancy "singing christmas tree" events at Southern Baptist churches (since I was in the South in my 20s) just to soak up the good vibes of the church...and that's what it's like for me at DLR during that time.

And I love the DCA decorations.

So if a borderline atheist like me can get all goopy feeling at Yuletime there...yeah, anyone can. It's worth going, no matter where your personal convictions lie...

It sounds to me as though the energy created by the Disney Magic is your spirituality/religion. Respect man.

 

[DisneySuiteFreak]

We were there right after Christmas last year, and for New Years which was so foggy and cold... We had not brought heavy coats with us and were all bundled in multiple layers with giant fleece Disneyland hoodies on top... the fog was so thick, you could not see the fireworks at midnight AT ALL! just the music playing and the booming.... crazy! I am really hoping as well this year the weather is better.... a few years ago we were swimming on Christmas day cause it was so hot!! generally we avoid the park right on Christmas day, it is so very crowded. It has it's charms though.... we spent most of our time just going to shows, watching parades etc. if the weather is nice, it's great.... if the weather is not nice then it's not great sitting on the sidewalk for a good hour to have a spot to watch the Christmas parade. One year hubby dd and ds stayed at the hotel to swim and relax by the pool (another hot year) and just youngest dd and I went to the park, that was fun too.

This past January was the foggiest I've ever seen it in LA. It was horrendous driving in that fog. I remember it was so bad that it made the national news. It was all over local news, but I remember them showing a clip of lights at night enveloped in fog in LA on the Today show or something like that. I was sick in bed at Hojos watching the news when I should've been at the park!

 

[smiley_face2]

This past January was the foggiest I've ever seen it in LA. It was horrendous driving in that fog. I remember it was so bad that it made the national news. It was all over local news, but I remember them showing a clip of lights at night enveloped in fog in LA on the Today show or something like that. I was sick in bed at Hojos watching the news when I should've been at the park!

It was so bad you literally could not see the other side of the street, or even the traffic lights! I live in an extremely foggy part of the world but I've never seen fog like that! We were just shocked how fast everyone was still trying to drive in that fog! and of course there was a huge pile up accident then too.
Sorry you were sick!!

 

[Leofoenget]

I am making it an annual family must do. I can't wait. Halloween is fun and if I lived close enough I would go but Christmas is not to be missed. My favorite time is after the park closes but main street is still open for that hour to quietly walk around Main Street and just take it all in. Can't be missed.

 

[smiley_face2]

I am making it an annual family must do. I can't wait. Halloween is fun and if I lived close enough I would go but Christmas is not to be missed. My favorite time is after the park closes but main street is still open for that hour to quietly walk around Main Street and just take it all in. Can't be missed.

me too! that's when we like to get a holiday mocha or latte (decaf) and sit on one of the benches listening to the Christmas music, admiring the castle, breathing in the delicious smell of vanilla sugar cookies I'm sure they must pipe in to main street.... and just watching all the people leave as if we don't have to...till finally the streets nearly empty and it feels like our own park. (even if it means missing the last shuttle to the hotel....Hojo's is not too far to walk!) I can not wait!!!

 

[Sherry E]

We are going right before Christmas and it's one of my favorite times to go.
We went last year and we got rained on. One year it was bitter cold. I hope the weather is nice this year...I am praying the weather is great!

I am one of those wacky people who actually wants bitter cold at DLR for Christmas!!! I don't want rain, mind you, because that just gets to be a nuisance with photo taking, etc. But I love cold. Since I have lived in SoCal my entire life, I have had more heat than I prefer, and I like to know and feel that seasons are changing. I want to know it is December! So maybe we won't get, say, 'Chicago or New York-cold' during December, but I LOVE it when it drops down to 30 degrees at night, and I have to bundle up in my mittens and neck scarves and hats and even trot out my cumbersome Mickey ear muffs!! I want to feel the chill on my cheeks as I sit there and sip hot cocoa and munch an ear off a gingerbread man cookie!

This is the best thread ever, to echo a previous poster - that's why I bumped it last week and will continue to if it drifts. It needs to be kept alive! I know Halloweentime at DLR begins today, and believe me, I love it then too, but there is nothing at all like the magical feeling of the holiday season at DLR. We have read here how it can turn the non-religious, the non-holiday people, the people whose lives are not going well, into big piles of mush at the sight of the beautiful decor. I, myself, am one who loves the Christmas season and all the sensory assault that it brings in general, but, for various, solid reasons, I don't ever really have a Christmas 'celebration' of which to speak anymore (not in a long time). So I have been trying to make the DLR holiday trip a regular, holiday tradition for me. Even if friends come and go on these trips and I have to go solo, I will still make it a point to get there during the holidays, one way or the other! I can live without a Halloweentime DLR trip if I have to, but I am NOT missing the holidays at DLR - no way, no how.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

Alright Disney Xmas experts:

I'm crossing my fingers we can do 3-4 days in Disney right before Xmas this year (18/19-22). It will also be my DS's 1st bday.

What are the "can't miss" Christmas things in the resort? We did a 6 day trip this month and are going for Halloween weekend for 3 days. So I want to experience all that is Christmas in Disneyland.

So far my "To Do" list includes:

IASW Holiday
Xmas parade & fireworks
Visiting Santa (at Big Thunder Ranch or a hotel)
Gingerbread cookies for the kids
Peppermint mocha for me!

What else is at Big Thunder Ranch? And what else are special things in the parks? Carolers, christmas stories, etc.?

 

[Sleepless Knight]

Don't forget simply wandering all over New Orleans Square and taking in the decorations there. Plus, if you're a character person, a lot of the characters are decked out for the holidays.

 

[Sherry E]

Alright Disney Xmas experts:

I'm crossing my fingers we can do 3-4 days in Disney right before Xmas this year (18/19-22). It will also be my DS's 1st bday.

What are the "can't miss" Christmas things in the resort? We did a 6 day trip this month and are going for Halloween weekend for 3 days. So I want to experience all that is Christmas in Disneyland.

So far my "To Do" list includes:

IASW Holiday
Xmas parade & fireworks
Visiting Santa (at Big Thunder Ranch or a hotel)
Gingerbread cookies for the kids
Peppermint mocha for me!

What else is at Big Thunder Ranch? And what else are special things in the parks? Carolers, christmas stories, etc.?

Did you read the first page of this thread? That's where a lot of the info is. I put a lot of the little details in post #5.