disney at christmas

[Halloweenqueen]

Boy, it's been fun looking through this thread! I'm so happy to say that I'm going to DL in December! I have a family trip planned for October to enjoy all the Halloween goodness. They are running an airline special and I mentioned to my husband how I would love to take our youngest on a Mommy and Me trip. He told me to go for it! I asked a friend and she wants to join us with her son. She has never been to Disney, so it's going to be extra exciting introducing her to the Magic!

We are going December 9th to the 12th. I need to start planning and this thread is a great start! Thanks!

 

[Sherry E]

Boy, it's been fun looking through this thread! I'm so happy to say that I'm going to DL in December! I have a family trip planned for October to enjoy all the Halloween goodness. They are running an airline special and I mentioned to my husband how I would love to take our youngest on a Mommy and Me trip. He told me to go for it! I asked a friend and she wants to join us with her son. She has never been to Disney, so it's going to be extra exciting introducing her to the Magic!

We are going December 9th to the 12th. I need to start planning and this thread is a great start! Thanks!

Will this be your first time at DLR during the holiday season? If so, you just might fall in love with it!! It's so much more immersive, intensive and detailed than the Halloween season!!

 

[tksbaskets]

Will this be your first time at DLR during the holiday season? If so, you just might fall in love with it!! It's so much more immersive, intensive and detailed than the Halloween season!!

MIGHT fall in love with it???? LOL you WILL fall in love with it!

I'm going to San Diego for business in October and can't decide if I want to take a day to explore there or if I want to head up to Disney Land to see WOC and the Halloween decorations....

My work mates just don't understand the lure of Disney!

 

[Halloweenqueen]

Will this be your first time at DLR during the holiday season? If so, you just might fall in love with it!! It's so much more immersive, intensive and detailed than the Halloween season!!

No, I've never been to DL during the holidays. I've always gone to WDW. In fact, my October trip is the first time I've been to DL in close to 20 years! I'm so excited!

 

[Sherry E]

No, I've never been to DL during the holidays. I've always gone to WDW. In fact, my October trip is the first time I've been to DL in close to 20 years! I'm so excited!

Oh wow!! So you're going to have both holiday experiences at DLR within a short period of time, after not being to DL in so many years. It will be amazing!! No better time to make a return trip to Disneyland than Halloween and Christmastime!!

This year the Halloween stuff seems to be a bit more scaled down than it usually is, as you've probably read in our Halloween thread. Normally there are Halloween touches in DCA as well as in DL, but this year it seems to only be DL that will have anything. I suppose this is due to the work that's being done in DCA as part of the big makeover. Also, I think they want to focus on World of Color this year. I think they could have put Candy Corn Acres - or at least some of it - directly in A Bug's Land, as they put holiday decorations there for Christmas. But I guess that's not happening.

I'm hoping that the Christmas season is not scaled down as well. Even though DL usually has more holiday stuff in it than DCA does, DCA is definitely a part of the season. There are still decorations and Santa in DCA, as a rule. A Bug's Land has its own clever, unique decorations that are worth seeing. Same thing for ToonTown - they have their own holiday touches specific to that land. I'm hoping that this doesn't change this year for the same reasons that HalloweenTime seems to be changing.

Christmas time at DLR is a very magical experience. There is something in the air during that time of year that just kind of envelops the whole resort. The decorations and holiday feeling extend to the hotels, Downtown Disney, inside all the restaurants and shops, the music that's being played in each land, etc. I'm sure you've probably been to WDW at holiday time. Of course, because DLR is so much smaller, we don't have some of the really cool things that WDW has during that time of year (like the Osborne Lights and the wonderful, edible displays in all of the hotels), but we have some amazing things. IASW Holiday is absolutely breathtaking to see at night, for example.

 

[azdisneylover]

giving this thread a good bump back to page 1!

 

[PHXscuba]

Dipping dangerously close to page 2 ....

So WHEN are they coming out with the holiday information??!! I am more than ready to receive it!

Anyone have any more pictures of holiday food? Target was putting out their Halloween stuff today and it was a good thing the didn't have the candy corn yet or I would be typing this while munching! I am ready for fall and Christmas to start!

PHXscuba

 

[Sherry E]

I don't have any DLR holiday food pictures to post here, but I did just post a whole mess o' food porn photos (not from DLR, but delectable and tempting nonetheless) in my TR last week and yesterday. Tons of them. They are on Pages 61-63 and Pages 65-66 of my TR. If they don't tempt your sweet tooth/taste buds, I don't know what will!!

The peanut butter cupcake in one of the photos was a big hit with the people who saw it in the Halloween thread!!

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

I sooooooo need a Disney fix. WDW planning just isn't cutting it any more!!!

Still unsure of our November trip. Super sad to let my AP expire this Saturday. They keep sending me reminders to renew.

 

[princess lovers mom]

have been reading the updates on this post daily - helping immensly planning our first trip to DLR 12/26-12/30

it is going to be a surprise Christmas present for our girls - going to make it a scavenger hunt accross the country - photo clues that start at Christmas that continue accross the country (thinking of getting the stewardess to give them a clue with their meal or drink) - don't think they will figure out where they are going until we pull up to the Grand Californian!

then the trip finishes at Pasedena for the Rose Bowl Parade !

I am anxiously waiting for the windows to open up to book our planned tours (Holiday tour and Welcome to Disneyland) and meals for WOC and Fantasmic dessert and all the other great meals...waiting is so hard!!!!

 

[tksbaskets]

have been reading the updates on this post daily - helping immensly planning our first trip to DLR 12/26-12/30

it is going to be a surprise Christmas present for our girls - going to make it a scavenger hunt accross the country - photo clues that start at Christmas that continue accross the country (thinking of getting the stewardess to give them a clue with their meal or drink) - don't think they will figure out where they are going until we pull up to the Grand Californian!

then the trip finishes at Pasedena for the Rose Bowl Parade !

I am anxiously waiting for the windows to open up to book our planned tours (Holiday tour and Welcome to Disneyland) and meals for WOC and Fantasmic dessert and all the other great meals...waiting is so hard!!!!

What a great idea! I wouldn't be able to keep that big a secret. We loved the holiday tour last year. So worth it!

My family is all adults so we had no issues. Enjoy the gingerbread. YUM!

 

[Sherry E]

have been reading the updates on this post daily - helping immensly planning our first trip to DLR 12/26-12/30

it is going to be a surprise Christmas present for our girls - going to make it a scavenger hunt accross the country - photo clues that start at Christmas that continue accross the country (thinking of getting the stewardess to give them a clue with their meal or drink) - don't think they will figure out where they are going until we pull up to the Grand Californian!

then the trip finishes at Pasedena for the Rose Bowl Parade !

I am anxiously waiting for the windows to open up to book our planned tours (Holiday tour and Welcome to Disneyland) and meals for WOC and Fantasmic dessert and all the other great meals...waiting is so hard!!!!

That sounds like a great idea (the scavenger hunt)!! How fun and very creative.

So will you actually be in the parks for 5 days or 4 days?

 

[princess lovers mom]

That sounds like a great idea (the scavenger hunt)!! How fun and very creative.

So will you actually be in the parks for 5 days or 4 days?

we will be there 5 days/4 nights - will leave the evening of 30th to drive to Pasedena..

figure that will be good - we are doing the tours to get the easy access to Small World and Haunted Mansion and front row seating for the parade! - those are the biggies for me

we know there will be crowds, but are masters at fast pass in WDW so have looked at all the tips and feel ready - can't wait to see the decorations and eat the food!!

 

[Littleprincess2010]

we will be there 5 days/4 nights - will leave the evening of 30th to drive to Pasedena..

figure that will be good - we are doing the tours to get the easy access to Small World and Haunted Mansion and front row seating for the parade! - those are the biggies for me

we know there will be crowds, but are masters at fast pass in WDW so have looked at all the tips and feel ready - can't wait to see the decorations and eat the food!!

The scavenger hunt sounds like so much fun!! Will you leave on Christmas day? What a magical experience!!

We are waiting for the holiday tour booking window to open so we can book for the same reasons. No lines for the 2 tops rides and priority seating for the parade sounds great!!

 

[Sherry E]

we will be there 5 days/4 nights - will leave the evening of 30th to drive to Pasedena..

figure that will be good - we are doing the tours to get the easy access to Small World and Haunted Mansion and front row seating for the parade! - those are the biggies for me

we know there will be crowds, but are masters at fast pass in WDW so have looked at all the tips and feel ready - can't wait to see the decorations and eat the food!!

I think the crowds - while heavy and bad at times during that period - will not be too much of a problem because you are staying 5 days and 4 nights. You guys should be fine. You'll have plenty of time to get everything done that you want to do and be able to find little windows of time when it is not as crowded yet, as well as using your knowledge of Fast Pass. Also, it sounds like you are very well-prepared to encounter crowds, so that will go a long way.

I think the big issues for other people during the extremely busy times of year, like between Christmas and New Year's, can be:

(1) When people only have a day or two to be in the parks and want to get a lot done. It's very hard to navigate through walls and mobs of people to do the things you want when you only have a day or two. You need at least a few days to spread everything out, OR just come to the realization that you won't be able to get everything done in a day because there are just too many people in the parks; and

(2) Not being mentally prepared for the crowds - underestimating how bad they could be. What happens is, people hear this info about huge crowds and don't really absorb it and then show up at the parks thinking that it won't be that bad - only to find out it is that bad. They get daunted because they weren't expecting it and that puts a big damper on plans. Of course, showing up at the park to find that it's not as bad as you thought would be the ideal circumstance!! That's what we want! But I think, all too often, people aren't expecting crowds and are in for a rude awakening when they show up at the busiest time of year!!

 

[Littleprincess2010]

I think the crowds - while heavy and bad at times during that period - will not be too much of a problem because you are staying 5 days and 4 nights. You guys should be fine. You'll have plenty of time to get everything done that you want to do and be able to find little windows of time when it is not as crowded yet, as well as using your knowledge of Fast Pass. Also, it sounds like you are very well-prepared to encounter crowds, so that will go a long way.

I think the big issues for other people during the extremely busy times of year, like between Christmas and New Year's, can be:

(1) When people only have a day or two to be in the parks and want to get a lot done. It's very hard to navigate through walls and mobs of people to do the things you want when you only have a day or two. You need at least a few days to spread everything out, OR just come to the realization that you won't be able to get everything done in a day because there are just too many people in the parks; an

(2) Not being mentally prepared for the crowds - underestimating how bad they could be. What happens is, people hear this info about huge crowds and don't really absorb it and then show up at the parks thinking that it won't be that bad - only to find out it is that bad. They get daunted because they weren't expecting it and that puts a big damper on plans. Of course, showing up at the park to find that it's not as bad as you thought would be the ideal circumstance!! That's what we want! But I think, all too often, people aren't expecting crowds and are in for a rude awakening when they show up at the busiest time of year!!

This is such good advice!!

 

[kelmac284]

Wow I just spent 2 plus hours going through this entire thread. Mostly looking at all the fun pics and reading some of the threads but this is so fun and I wanted to add my post.

I am so excited that we are FINALLY going back this christmas. My mom and I are taking my girls to DW in November but my dh is not able to go with us because of work and he was really bummed so he told me he wants to go to DL over our girls christmas break from school.

I usually would NEVER want to go at such a busy time but we have gone at super busy times before and we know how to tour like that so we will make due. And the girls and I were just there in June and since we will have been to DW the month before I am not going to be as worried about rides but more about soaking up the christmas atmosphere and doing things we normally wouldn't do. We are going to do WOC again and dh has also never done the BBQ and we are going to eat at Blue Bayou also so we are looking forward to some fun meals!! And the girls want to decorate the cookies. That has always been a tradition and go to Big Thunder ranch and see santa and the reindeer. So I am really looking forward to those things. Seeing the lights, the snow and the fireworks etc.

We are going down on the 17th after they get out of school (driving) and going to the parks on Sat, Sun and Mon and then driving back on Tues and stopping at Univ for half a day. Really looking forward to it because although we have been at halloween both last year and in 07 we have not been at christmas since I think 06!!!

 

[Sherry E]

This is such good advice!!

Thank you!! I still think some folks will get there and not realize it would be so crowded, but it's best if you can expect the absolute worst so that anything less than that will be a breath of fresh air!!

Wow I just spent 2 plus hours going through this entire thread. Mostly looking at all the fun pics and reading some of the threads but this is so fun and I wanted to add my post.

I am so excited that we are FINALLY going back this christmas. My mom and I are taking my girls to DW in November but my dh is not able to go with us because of work and he was really bummed so he told me he wants to go to DL over our girls christmas break from school.

I usually would NEVER want to go at such a busy time but we have gone at super busy times before and we know how to tour like that so we will make due. And the girls and I were just there in June and since we will have been to DW the month before I am not going to be as worried about rides but more about soaking up the christmas atmosphere and doing things we normally wouldn't do. We are going to do WOC again and dh has also never done the BBQ and we are going to eat at Blue Bayou also so we are looking forward to some fun meals!! And the girls want to decorate the cookies. That has always been a tradition and go to Big Thunder ranch and see santa and the reindeer. So I am really looking forward to those things. Seeing the lights, the snow and the fireworks etc.

We are going down on the 17th after they get out of school (driving) and going to the parks on Sat, Sun and Mon and then driving back on Tues and stopping at Univ for half a day. Really looking forward to it because although we have been at halloween both last year and in 07 we have not been at christmas since I think 06!!!

Hey there, Kelly!! Welcome to this thread, and thanks for taking the time to scroll through it.

That's so wonderful that you are going back to DLR for Christmas this year. I remember some of those wonderful holiday photos you took at DLR before - like the ones by the GCH tree, and someone was wearing a red sweater (was it you?). Those were great! You should post them here - we all love the holiday photos in this thread!!

Now you say you are going to WDW in November - does this mean you will get there in time for their holiday season too? Will you actually be experiencing the holidays at both WDW and DLR this year? If so, that's fantastic!! That's the best of both worlds!! How much more magic could anyone take this year, to be able to go to both WDW and DLR for the holidays? That's incredible!!

 

[kelmac284]

Thanks Sherry! Yeah I had a lot of fun going through this thread and it really got me in the christmas spirit!! I am SO excited to be going back because as a lot of you have mentioned this is my FAV time to go!! I am such an emtional sap that I get all teary eyed at the thought of the castle and the snow and the gal singing white christmas! I just love it there!!

I have grown to where I almost don't like going any other time because the park almost seems drab without all the decs!

I just went to photobucket and the site must be down but I have a ptr report started and my photos are posted there. They are the last photos I have from the last time we were there in I think 06! That's how long it has been! EEK!!!

And as far as DW we are leaving on Veteran's day and will be there till the 21st. We went over Thanksgiving week in 08 and while they will have SOME of the holiday stuff they don't put out as much stuff there as they do here. They don't do EVERYTHING until after thanksgiving for some odd reason. They do have a lot of the trees and decorations and such and luckily they are going to have the Osborne lights when we are there this time (last time they didn't start them till the Friday AFTER thanksgiving) but they didn't start the santas in Epcot and some of the other stuff till after Thanksgiving.

So I am not sure how much we will actually see. I am really hoping at bare minimum we get to see the icicle lights on the castle as it is SO pretty! We shall see.

I am excited though cuz we are catching the very LAST weekend of the food and wine festival!!! They have an AWESOME one there!!! And we will hopefully get SOME of the holiday stuff too!!

But we will DEF get the holiday stuff at DL going Christmas week. And Katy (my oldest) her birthday is NYE so we have already talked about one year going ON NYE. I KNOW how horribly crowded it is but I am prepared to bite the bullet AND deal with the crowds just to say I've done it one time. Plus I think she would love that! So we are going to wait till a year when NYE is on a Sunday or a Monday and they have that whole next week of school off and they don't have to get back like the next day or whatever and we have more time cuz then I am hoping to go see the Rose Parade floats at the same time!! We have been to the parade twice and as much as I would LOVE to see the actual parade again I think staying up till midnight or later at DL and then trying to be in pasadena at 4 a.m. or whatever would be impossible LOL. But I know you can go to where they park the floats later in the day so I am thinking that might be a plan.

But anyway SOOO excited! I am not very computer savy but I will see if I can figure out a link to my tr so people can see my pics since photobucket doesn't seem to be working.

Ok hopefully I did this right:

Here is the link

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2541618

 

[OctoberDisney]

Just popping in to say hi to all and let you know I'm still following!

We always start listening to Christmas music in September at our house so we are getting into the mood already.

The countdown is on!