disney at christmas

[DLtorgo]

Back in July, Brancaneve posted this:


"My daughter's dance school participates in the Christmas parade that is shown on Christmas Day on TV, and that is hosted by Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest. Watching this is our family tradition, and so we are very excited to be able to participate. The parade will be filmed on December 11th. My daughter will be 8 at the time. Have any of you had your children participate in the filming? Is it done before the park opens? Can you give me a little bit of information on what to expect? Thanks!"


I realize this is not straight from Disney, but if they are giving that info out to groups (and it is correct), that's the only date I've heard so far.

Sherry made reference to it being in November some of the time ? so I am not sure.

It was filmed around Nov 14th last year. Dec 11th is the weekend I am going this year. I really hope this isn't the weekend they film the parade! It was interesting to watch the filming, but it was also a pain because it clogged up all of Mainstreet. It took the whole weekend during the days to film it last year. They filmed different parts on different days, with different stars coming in at different times to do their sections. Last year they had Stevie Wonder, Anika Noki Rose (Tiana), Seacrest, and Demi Levato. Last year Kelly Ripa was the host for the WDW sections and Seacrest did the DL sections. They will shoot the same interviews, host chat over and over to get all the camera shots they need. Then they run some parade floats then back it up and march a few feet forward again. Interesting and boring at the same time. That evening they ran the Celebrate parade because the Holiday parade wasn't running yet. They let the kids who danced in the holiday parade dance as a pre parade- which was fun to see.

 

[Sherry E]

More oldies but goodies from holidays past at DLR:


December 1993:

Minor traces of the holidays in the background:

December 1994:

November 2001:

 

[mvf-m11c]

Nice Christmas pictures Sherry

I like the picture with Chip and Donald in there Christmas sweatshirts.

 

[goldies 5]

Ater my kids first experienced Candy Fudge a few years ago at DLR, we have been making it ever since. Here is the recipe in case anyone wants it. It is very rich, 1 piece goes a long way. My boys especially look forward to this treat every year.
Candy Cane Fudge
Prep: 20 min.
Ready In: 2h 20m
Yield 2 1/4 pounds

2(10 ounce) package vanilla baking chips
1(14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
1 1/2 cups crushed candy canes
1 dash red or green food coloring
Directions
1. Line 8 inch baking square with aluminum foil, and grease the foil.
2. Combine the vanilla chips and sweetened condensed milk in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir frequently until almost melted, remove from heat and continue to stir until smooth. When chips are completely melted, stir in the peppermint extract, food coloring, and candy canes.
3. Spread eveny in the bottom of the prepared pan. Chill for 2 hours, then cut into squares.

 

[goldies 5]

Sherry your olides are always goodies.
I wasn't going to say anything,because it seemed so personal, but it kind of commanded my attention.
Did anyone else here notice how lovingly Smileyface2's DH was looking at her in that video? OMG

 

[Sherry E]

Nice Christmas pictures Sherry

I like the picture with Chip and Donald in there Christmas sweatshirts.

Thanks, Bret! I love it when the characters put on the 'winter sweaters' and come out for photo ops. In 2008 we missed a whole bunch of characters in their winter sweaters because there were just too many people waiting for them and my friend did not want to wait.

Sherry your olides are always goodies.
I wasn't going to say anything,because it seemed so personal, but it kind of commanded my attention.
Did anyone else here notice how lovingly Smileyface2's DH was looking at her in that video? OMG

Good observation! I will have to go back and watch her video. That's nice to see!!

 

[Sherry E]

Oh, and I neglected to mention before - for all those who are interested in the holiday treats - they also sell peppermint bark all over DLR. Some of it is pre-packaged and some is fresh. I get the feeling that they sell the peppermint bark year-round in the candy shops, but because it's peppermint I associate it with Christmastime!!

I feel like I have to reserve my peppermint consumption until something even remotely resembling the holidays. In fact, tomorrow I was going to head over to the Farmers Market (where The Grove is), and there's a place there that makes peppermint ice cream. Now, believe me - I am tempted, because the weather is hot, to get some. But I keep telling myself that peppermint ice cream is supposed to be eaten during the holidays!! So I am steering clear!!

 

[PHXscuba]

Sherry, I especially love the giant Mickey outside the Disneyland hotel wearing the santa hat. That Mickey was the first thing my kids saw last fall when we arrived (and the first pix we took) so it has a special place in my heart.

I was in the Disney store this morning restraining myself from buying more T-shirts. I kept telling myself, "they'll just be covered up by jackets in December." But then I saw the hoodie sweatshirts ....

PHXscuba

 

[smiley_face2]

Sherry your olides are always goodies.
I wasn't going to say anything,because it seemed so personal, but it kind of commanded my attention.
Did anyone else here notice how lovingly Smileyface2's DH was looking at her in that video? OMG

aw, that brought tears to my eyes! I can honestly say I love him even more than 30 years ago! our times in Disneyland are the best!

 

[smiley_face2]

Oh, and I neglected to mention before - for all those who are interested in the holiday treats - they also sell peppermint bark all over DLR. Some of it is pre-packaged and some is fresh. I get the feeling that they sell the peppermint bark year-round in the candy shops, but because it's peppermint I associate it with Christmastime!!

I feel like I have to reserve my peppermint consumption until something even remotely resembling the holidays. In fact, tomorrow I was going to head over to the Farmers Market (where The Grove is), and there's a place there that makes peppermint ice cream. Now, believe me - I am tempted, because the weather is hot, to get some. But I keep telling myself that peppermint ice cream is supposed to be eaten during the holidays!! So I am steering clear!!

Our last couple of trips I've managed to miss the peppermint bark and the candy cane fudge!! I'm getting desperate!!

 

[familymemories]

If we ever visit during December again it will be the first week of December. Two years ago we went the week before Christmas and the weather was terrible. The freak storm cut off the main route of southern california from norther california. It took us 13 hours to get home to the Sacramento area.

I do have to say the park is just beautiful though, extremely magical.

 

[areweindisneyyet]

A question about Annual Passes?

I am considering getting an annual pass for our trip Christmas 2011. We have booked through WDTC and all eight of us are getting 6 day park hoppers.

1. Would the discounts be worth it? I am sure there would be no AP discount on accommodation over Christmas week.

2. If the parks reach capacity do they treat Park Hopper and AP tickets differently or as we are staying at GCH would that not matter when reopening?

Silly questions I know but the brain is thinking...

I shall add some Christmas pictures to help the your thinking, happy weekend all.

A bit of Toon Town Morning Madness

 

[funatdisney]

More oldies but goodies from holidays past at DLR:
November 2001:

Is this the very first Christmas tree at the Grand Californian?

 

[Sherry E]

Is this the very first Christmas tree at the Grand Californian?

Hmmm...I think it might be! When did GCH open? Was it in 2001 or 2000? I know it was no earlier than 2000, but I tend to think it opened in 2001, in which case, yes - this would be the first tree!

 

[funatdisney]

I think it did open in 2001. Got to do some web searching..I'll be back!

 

[funatdisney]

Yes it opened in 2001. The Grand Californian opened on January 2, 2001 according to Laughingplace.com and in 2001 according to Wikipedia.

So that was the first Christmas tree at the Grand.

 

[Sherry E]

Yes it opened in 2001. The Grand Californian opened on January 2, 2001 according to Laughingplace.com and in 2001 according to Wikipedia.

So that was the first Christmas tree at the Grand.

Who knew I was capturing a little bit o' history when I took that GCH tree photo?!! I got the very first tree on film!!

 

[AttilaTheHun]

Don't worry, Disneyland's Tiki Room is still the original.
If I remember correctly, the one in DW is the Enchanted Tiki Room Under New Management and has Iago and Zazu and they kind of poke fun at the show. I wasn't a big fan of that version either.

That is good to hear. I still have my 45 record that I bought way long ago at Disneyland back in the late 60s. It has the songs from the TIKI Room on them. I wonder if it is worth anything now? Not that I would sell it, I just need to get my LP player fixed so I can play it again

 

[smiley_face2]

A question about Annual Passes?

I am considering getting an annual pass for our trip Christmas 2011. We have booked through WDTC and all eight of us are getting 6 day park hoppers.

1. Would the discounts be worth it? I am sure there would be no AP discount on accommodation over Christmas week.

2. If the parks reach capacity do they treat Park Hopper and AP tickets differently or as we are staying at GCH would that not matter when reopening?

We always think getting the passes are worth it! you save 10-15% off food, and this last season they even had the discount on merchandise for the deluxe passes as well! and you will get a discount at the hotel, maybe not the really great rate you can get off season, but still a discount. The only thing I don't know about is getting back into the park if they reach capacity with a pass as apposed to without a pass....I'm sure someone here will know!

[/IMG]

 

[scrappinbear78]

Ok, so here is an update on our trip. I am sad to say our trip is off this year. There were some things that happened before school let out and due to court hearings we are unable to go this year. We are going to re-schedule and go next Christmas. I am in hopes that the money situation is going to be better. This trip this year was to be a new start for our girls, but unfortunatly they will still be dealing with the things that have happened. This last year my husbands son came to live with us for a few months...well, I don't have to say what happened...I am sure people can figure out. We have gone through hell and back and are still dealing with it. We have 2 different court hearings scheduled one at the end of Sept and then the next is Dec. 20 (the day after we were supposed to be in the happest place...instead we will be dealing with the horrible court systems). So....now we have to petition to get a refund for what we have already paid and reschedule for next year. Oh, well. I know the year will go by fast..I will definatly keep looking at the pictures here and reading everyones posts. It will be hard as it gets closer. It wasn't meant to be this year, we will just plan for next year. The good thing is I will be able to shop the after Christmas sales and get the girls the stockings, stuffers, gifts, mini tree, ornaments and everything for next year at a super cheap price. For all those that have given me pointers, I want to thank you. The next 2 to 4 months are going to be rough on our family and the girls are going to be going through a lot...all they can think is that their lives stink and now they will never get to go to DL..we keep telling them we will go next year. I just hope with my dad's health, the legal issues with my husbands son, and my illness will allow us to fullfill their dream of going. I think EVERY child should be able to go to DL at least once (even though it doesn't always happen).