disney at christmas

[OctoberDisney]

Hi Everyone!

I have a quick question. I was going to start a new thread but then I figured I'd go straight to the Christmas at Disneyland experts and ask here!

So...will the Big Thunder Ranch BBQ dinner be offered in December? Or not because of Santa and the reindeer?

Thanks so much!

PS. Been to Disneyland lots of times but this is our FIRST EVER trip to see the halls decked for Christmas. And we CANNOT wait!!!

 

[billwendy]

When do they start decorating for Christmas? Im thinking of going the week before Thanksgiving -is that too early for Christmas stuff???

 

[Sherry E]

When do they start decorating for Christmas? Im thinking of going the week before Thanksgiving -is that too early for Christmas stuff???

billwendy - Nope! You are in all kinds of luck! The official holiday season begins on November 12th (Friday) - everything will be up and running and in full swing on that date!

 

[Sherry E]

Oops, I answered billwendy before answering OctoberDisney!

Hi Everyone!

I have a quick question. I was going to start a new thread but then I figured I'd go straight to the Christmas at Disneyland experts and ask here!

So...will the Big Thunder Ranch BBQ dinner be offered in December? Or not because of Santa and the reindeer?

Thanks so much!

PS. Been to Disneyland lots of times but this is our FIRST EVER trip to see the halls decked for Christmas. And we CANNOT wait!!!

OctoberDisney - you will absolutely LOVE DLR during Christmastime - as you can see from the photos in this thread, it's so magical! I could be totally wrong - and someone please correct me if I am - but I thought the Celebration BBQ place was open last year, right next to the Reindeer Round-Up. Maybe that's just wishful thinking!

 

[billwendy]

WOW November 12th!!! Do they have a Christmas party? Do you think they'll have WOC on the weekend then???????

 

[goldies 5]

THe BBQ will be running. They cut the area in half. Santa is still on the one side in the cabin and the reindeer are still there. But that's it the rest is completely dedicated to the BBQ.

 

[Sherry E]

WOW November 12th!!! Do they have a Christmas party? Do you think they'll have WOC on the weekend then???????

billwendy-

So far, DLR has not had an official Very Merry Christmas Party like WDW has. However, my guess is that we will eventually get one. I don't know if it would be this year, though. This is a year where they are going to try out the Halloween Party in Disneyland instead of California Adventure. I'm guessing that Disney wants to kind of see how the Halloween party goes in DL, and if it works out well, I would bet money that they will eventually try out a VMCP in DL. There is a rumor - and it is only a rumor so far - that the Candlelight Processional will be moving from Disneyland over to California Adventure for the holiday season next year. We don't know if this will happen, but....my thinking is that if they take away one signature holiday event from DL and move it to DCA, then they will likely add something new into DL...like a Christmas party!! I could be utterly and totally wrong, but I just have a feeling!

As for WoC, again, we don't know for sure what the Winter schedule will be but I think we all agree that Disney has put way too much money and publicity into WoC to let it fade away this year. So my assumption is that DLR will still run WoC during the holidays, but probably on a limited schedule. Rather than 2 or 3 shows every night, I could see them doing something like one show every night and then maybe 2 or 3 shows on weekends. Or perhaps they won't show it on weeknights at all and only on weekends. Whatever the case, I'm sure WoC will be around in some capacity during the holiday season!

 

[Sherry E]

THe BBQ will be running. They cut the area in half. Santa is still on the one side in the cabin and the reindeer are still there. But that's it the rest is completely dedicated to the BBQ.

Oh good! Thank you for comfirming that, Goldies 5! Good to know I'm not losing my marbles!! I was almost 100% certain I had seen the BBQ open last year, right next to the Reindeer Round-Up, but then I began to second guess myself!

 

[billwendy]

I'd be so excited to be there with the Christmas stuff up!!! Do you guys think Christmas time would win over Halloween stuff??? Which time is more special?

 

[mvf-m11c]

So far, DLR has not had an official Very Merry Christmas Party like WDW has. However, my guess is that we will eventually get one. I don't know if it would be this year, though. This is a year where they are going to try out the Halloween Party in Disneyland instead of California Adventure. I'm guessing that Disney wants to kind of see how the Halloween party goes in DL, and if it works out well, I would bet money that they will eventually try out a VMCP in DL. There is a rumor - and it is only a rumor so far - that the Candlelight Processional will be moving from Disneyland over to California Adventure for the holiday season next year. We don't know if this will happen, but....my thinking is that if they take away one signature holiday event from DL and move it to DCA, then they will likely add something new into DL...like a Christmas party!! I could be utterly and totally wrong, but I just have a feeling!

Same here, I am getting a feeling that DL will have a MVMCP type event in DL one day. This will be talked about in the future, but right now it depends on how MHP goes this October. We talked about it on the Halloween thread about the guests and AP holders are not happy that HS will only be exclusive to the MHP ticket holders. It will be disappointing for all the AP holders who go to DL during the holiday season and have to pay for a special ticket to enter DL during the party. A lot of people won't like it, but I believe DL will do a MVMCP in DL one day.

 

[Sherry E]

I'd be so excited to be there with the Christmas stuff up!!! Do you guys think Christmas time would win over Halloween stuff??? Which time is more special?

billwendy -

Christmas Christmas Christmas!! And Christmas again! Don't get me wrong - I love HalloweenTime at DLR (and we have a separate Halloween super thread to rival this Christmas super thread, so I jump back and forth between both). But Christmas is a whole different experience. It's on a dfferent level. It's so immersive and intensive - the Christmas feeling just envelops you wherever you are in DLR - every shop, every restaurant, every hotel, every corner of the parks and then some. The attention to detail is astounding. The glorious lights that pierce the night are mesmerizing. The nighttime Winter Castle glows incandescently throughout the park. It's a Small World Holiday dazzles the eye with a jaw-dropping rainbow of colors. The music and the sounds of familiar Christmas songs done in different styles to fit each land's theme are just amazing. Everywhere you go, all of your senses become swept up in the warm, holiday feeling of merriment. It's just beautiful and magical. Take a look at all the fabulous photos in this thread and see what I mean!

Halloween, while becoming a bigger deal at DLR with each passing year, is not nearly as thorough and all-encompassing as Christmas season is at DLR. It doesn't captivate every sense and make you feel warm and fuzzy inside. It's fun - it's a LOT of fun, in fact. But it just doesn't even begin to cover as much ground at DLR - literally and figuratively - as the holiday season does.

 

[Sherry E]

Same here, I am getting a feeling that DL will have a MVMCP type event in DL one day. This will be talked about in the future, but right now it depends on how MHP goes this October. We talked about it on the Halloween thread about the guests and AP holders are not happy that HS will only be exclusive to the MHP ticket holders. It will be disappointing for all the AP holders who go to DL during the holiday season and have to pay for a special ticket to enter DL during the party. A lot of people won't like it, but I believe DL will do a MVMCP in DL one day.

Yep, mvf-m11c - I think a MVMCP is coming sometime down the road (especially if the CP is moving over to DCA next year)! And this means the snow on Main Street may suddenly become a party exclusive! Yep, there will be lots of discussions on that if it happens. The boards will be on fire over here!

 

[goldies 5]

billwendy for my family Christmas wins hands down. But, lots of folks like the Halloween season. October just seems to get more and more crowded every year.
I think Sherry is turning more folks on to giving Christmas a try with all of her awesome photos and info. Every picture you see on the thread of the food, parades, castle, etc. is 100 times more magical in person. Christmas Season will not let you down. This is by far the most beautiful time in the parks.

 

[OctoberDisney]

Thanks so much! I knew someone here would help! We are planning 2 "big" TS meals. One will be the BBQ and the other will be a character breakfast. Can't decide, can't decide! Minnie & Friends OR Goofy's Kitchen?
The rest of the time during our 4.5 days, we'll eat corndogs and ice cream on main street. Just kidding (sort of! )

Thanks again!

 

[mvf-m11c]

Christmas season is my favorite season no matter what. I am looking very forward to the Halloween season this season, but Christmas season at DL is so magical every time I go down there. I love the decorations, candy, and the entertainment during the holiday season.

 

[goldies 5]

Our kids love Goofy's Kitchen. It is fun, for us, lots of characters, and a lot of food choices. Really, the variety of food is insane. This is the one my kids always want to go back to.
We haven't done the Plaza Inn since it was Winnie the Pooh, but if the food is anything like it was then, I wouldn't do it again ever. Everything was cold and not very good.

 

[billwendy]

Oh my!!! Christmas time sounds wonderful!!!

Do they typically have the candelight ceremony the week before Thanksgiving? Will I get the full feel of Christmas the week before Thanksgiving or is that when stuff starts to get put up? How are the crowds?

Budgetwise, Im trying to figure everything out. My converence is only 1 day, but I could attend on Wednesday, Thursday or Friday - but Thursday seems to be the most inexpensive day to fly back home to Philly.....sooooo - when do you think I should arrive? I really want to see WOC so am guessing I need to arrive at least on the Friday before???? Im worried about crowds on the weekend....

 

[goldies 5]

No, the Candleight is the first full weekend in December. The week before TG week is a great time to go. From my experience, and we go every year this season, is Fridays are usually very busy. Unless you feel like learning how to manage the crowds, (and you can get a lot of ideas here about this). You will definetely get the full Holiday Magic that week. Snow, parades, castle lighting, fireworks, Reindeer Roundup etc. If you are planning on starting out on Friday the 12th, be prepared for HUGE crowds. Opening day of Holiday Season is extremely busy.

 

[Sherry E]

Oh my!!! Christmas time sounds wonderful!!!

Do they typically have the candelight ceremony the week before Thanksgiving? Will I get the full feel of Christmas the week before Thanksgiving or is that when stuff starts to get put up? How are the crowds?

Budgetwise, Im trying to figure everything out. My converence is only 1 day, but I could attend on Wednesday, Thursday or Friday - but Thursday seems to be the most inexpensive day to fly back home to Philly.....sooooo - when do you think I should arrive? I really want to see WOC so am guessing I need to arrive at least on the Friday before???? Im worried about crowds on the weekend....

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!

 

[Sherry E]

Thanks so much! I knew someone here would help! We are planning 2 "big" TS meals. One will be the BBQ and the other will be a character breakfast. Can't decide, can't decide! Minnie & Friends OR Goofy's Kitchen?
The rest of the time during our 4.5 days, we'll eat corndogs and ice cream on main street. Just kidding (sort of! )

Thanks again!

OctoberDisney -

I have to agree with Goldies 5 - I'm a big Goofy's Kitchen fan (more the breakfast/brunch, however, and not so much the dinner). In 17 years of eating there I have only a couple of 'off days.' I am one who wants really good food mixed in with some characters. If the characters happen to be on a break or there are very few of them there, at least I know I have good food to eat! The buffet is huge and has a really wide variety of dishes from which to choose. Usually, there are about 7 characters onsite at one time (and that includes a couple of Princesses and whichever character is located at the entrance for photo ops), but I have seen as few as 5 characters and as many as 8 characters. Unfortunately, all of the other character meals (Ariel's Grotto, Critter Breakfast and Surf's Up wth Mickey) have 4 or 5 characters.

But to be fair, Minnie & Friends has more characters than all of the meals. If characters are your main interest and food is not as much of an issue, Minnie & Friends might be more to your liking. They seem to have anywhere from 8 characters to 14 characters on a given day. M&F has more characters than anywhere else, but the food gets consistently mixed reviews. Some folks say the food is "inedible" or simply "cold." Some folks say they love the food and that they hate Goofy's! It's all subjective, based on personal tastes and opinions. So it's hard to go by really bad reviews (unless they are repeatedly bad) or really good reviews, because everyone has their own tastes and preferences. What's bad to one person will be great to another person, and vice versa. Some folks like a LOT of characters coming by, to the point where they can't even get a bite of food. I don't like that. I like a good number of characters BUT I like to enjoy my meal as well...which is why Goofy's Kitchen works well for me!

So I think it boils down to if the character aspect outweighs the food aspect. If so, and you want tons of characters, choose Minnie & Friends. You won't be disappointed with the number of characters. If you want anywhere from 5 to 8 characters and a wide variety of tasty food, choose Goofy's.

Here is a link to our dedicated character meal photo thread (a good thing to do is start on the last page and work your way back, so you will see the more recent character sightings first) - this will give you an idea of which characters can be found at which meals:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2234435

And here is a link to Disneynerd420's TR - scroll down to Posts #338 and #339 for a look at all the great food available at Goofy's for breakfast/brunch:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2268157&page=23