disney at christmas

[AttilaTheHun]

OK Tomorrow I will put in my request to also get Dec 23rd and the 27th off so I can go to Disneyland for Christmas. I will blow them some pixie dust for luck

 

[Belle Ella]

OK Tomorrow I will put in my request to also get Dec 23rd and the 27th off so I can go to Disneyland for Christmas. I will blow them some pixie dust for luck

AH! Someone on the DIS in Walnut Creek. Hiya!

 

[amamax2]

Here are some pictures of SB Caslte I took in 2007. I have posted these before, but here you go:

funatdisney - So absolutely beautiful!! And I love how you got closer and closer in the pictures - the detail is stunning. Thanks for posting!

Belle Ella - definitely go back and start at page 1. It's been fun reading again and is getting me really excited for our trip!

 

[Sherry E]

funatdisney - So absolutely beautiful!! And I love how you got closer and closer in the pictures - the detail is stunning. Thanks for posting!

Belle Ella - definitely go back and start at page 1. It's been fun reading again and is getting me really excited for our trip!

amamax2 - I'm not sure if you saw my reply to your post earlier. You've seen the Winter Castle all icy and lit up in person, as far as I recall, right? (And even if you hadn't, there are certainly plenty of photos of it in this thread!) You just wanted to know if the icicle lights stay on all night or turn off at times? I was saying that in 2008 they were on and off throughout the night, but last year they were on pretty much all night after the lighting display up Main Street.

So I meant to ask in my reply before - when was the last holiday visit you made to DLR? Was it in 2008, was it last year or before 2008? I'm thinking that DLR decided to keep the icicle lights on all night as of last year, so it will probably be a regular thing now. It was stupid when they had them turning on and off all night! I mean, I get the idea behind it - they want you to think that it's snowing on and off all night and freshly coating the Castle and trees in ice. But for photographic purposes, it's much better to just keep the darn Castle icy all night long!!

 

[dizneedoll]

Ok, Christmas time experts, I have a couple of questions. I haven't read through the whole thread, I tried. Really I did. So sorry if these have already been addressed and since one is the proverbial crowd question it probably already has. We are going Dec 13-16 and I'm wondering what crowds will be like that week?? I'd also really like to to do the Holiday Tour but I have a 4 year old. Will this tour be ok to take him on? And can I take a stroller on the tour with me? I love the idea of getting on IASM without waiting and having VIP seats for the parade. One last question, is there any special holiday happenings at any of the hotels? Thanks everyone and I love all the pictures and I did scroll through about 50 pages just to see the pictures.

 

[funatdisney]

Bumping/subscribing

Welcome KCmike. Happy to see you here.

Have you gone to DL during the holiday's? If so, I look forward to your pics.

 

[funatdisney]

funatdisney - So absolutely beautiful!! And I love how you got closer and closer in the pictures - the detail is stunning. Thanks for posting!

Thank you amamax2. You are very kind.

 

[amamax2]

amamax2 - I'm not sure if you saw my reply to your post earlier. You've seen the Winter Castle all icy and lit up in person, as far as I recall, right? (And even if you hadn't, there are certainly plenty of photos of it in this thread!) You just wanted to know if the icicle lights stay on all night or turn off at times? I was saying that in 2008 they were on and off throughout the night, but last year they were on pretty much all night after the lighting display up Main Street.

So I meant to ask in my reply before - when was the last holiday visit you made to DLR? Was it in 2008, was it last year or before 2008? I'm thinking that DLR decided to keep the icicle lights on all night as of last year, so it will probably be a regular thing now. It was stupid when they had them turning on and off all night! I mean, I get the idea behind it - they want you to think that it's snowing on and off all night and freshly coating the Castle and trees in ice. But for photographic purposes, it's much better to just keep the darn Castle icy all night long!!

Sherry,

Yes, I did see your reply - thank you for the info! The last time we went was 2008 and I did not get to see it all lit up. So I am excited that (hopefully) this year they will keep it lit the whole time again!

So I have to tell you all about a conversation I had with my DH last night. I have been slowly going back through this thread and making notes/plans for our Christmas trip, so it is really on my mind.

Me: Honey, I think we need to add another day to our trip.

Dh: Why? We're going for three days and we were just there for three days.

Me: Well, the first day, we should do DCA because Aladdin is playing and you know how I love that show and it hardly ever is playing when we go. Then the next day we'll do DL. And there's so much to do, I don't see how we'll fit it all in. Plus, the third day I want to ditch you guys and go take pictures.

Dh: Are you serious? What else could you possibly take pictures of?

Me: For starters, there are 700 Christmas trees...

Dh: (Laughing) And you NEED to take a picture of all of them?


Dinner is now ready, so the conversation gets interrupted.

Later, my Dh approaches me again.

Dh: Are you really going to take pictures of all 700 trees? We don't want to spend the whole day without you.

Me: No, but I've started a list of all the things I want to get pictures of. (I then pull out my trump card...). I was thinking you boys could go spend a couple of hours in Innovations while I take pictures. I hate that place and never want to set foot in there again, but you all have been chomping at the bit to go back.

Dh: Oh, OH! That's a GREAT idea!

 

[scrappinbear78]

Ok, so I am looking forward to seeing everyones pictures as the season fast approaches. Still bummed we aren't going to make it this year, but hopefully we can make it next year. I have a question, not Christmas related, but it was mentioned in this thread. What is the Dream Suite? Since we are novices when it comes to Disney and all the workings and things that go on, I have never heard of the Dream Suite before. Sounds magical.

Little update on us for those that have followed: Court is still being court...our girls now have to sit down and write a letter to the judge and tell him what they feel their brothers punishment should be for his actions. Since he is breaking a lot of his release agreement, the next hearing date will be quite interesting. The girls are dreading writing the letter because they don't want it to come back and haunt them. Good thing we did postpone our holiday trip this year, my husband got a bad infection on both of his legs...he has the MRSA Staph infection and has to go in every other day to have the dressings changed. He is unable to do anything and is bed ridden. So, if we hadn't cancled the trip then it wouldn't have been much fun with him bed ridden not able to do anything, my dad just had another heart attack 2 weeks ago so his health is questionable, and then I am trying to take care of everything on top of getting no nutrition. We are a mess. So, it is best that the trip has been postponed for at least a year...we all want to be able to enjoy it and we wouldn't have been able to this year. So instead I will continue to have this page open and look at pictures and read posts. I enjoy reading updates and everyones information.

Happy planning to all and would love to learn more about the dream suite.

 

[amamax2]

scrappingbear78,

Thanks for the update - I'm sure many of us having been keeping you in our thoughts.

Sending TONS of hugs your way!!!!

 

[funatdisney]

Me too. scrappingbear78, you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. I wish the best for you and your girls. DH and Dad. may they experience a speedy recovery

 

[KCmike]

Welcome KCmike. Happy to see you here.

Have you gone to DL during the holiday's? If so, I look forward to your pics.

I hope I don't jinx myself....Wife and I are planning a stop there in November and then heading up the coast for the rest of the weekend. It's our 20th Anniversary and we're so excited. Never been away from the kids and we are really splurging to do this. What is the cheapest way to get into DL for one day? Do I buy online or wait till I get to the park? Any concern for a sellout for the first day of the christmas season? PS. Can't wait to shoot some shots!

 

[Sherry E]

Bumping/subscribing

Welcome to this thread, Mike! I'm glad you decided to subscribe! I hope this means you will be making a holiday DLR trip sometime soon!

Ok, Christmas time experts, I have a couple of questions. I haven't read through the whole thread, I tried. Really I did. So sorry if these have already been addressed and since one is the proverbial crowd question it probably already has. We are going Dec 13-16 and I'm wondering what crowds will be like that week?? I'd also really like to to do the Holiday Tour but I have a 4 year old. Will this tour be ok to take him on? And can I take a stroller on the tour with me? I love the idea of getting on IASM without waiting and having VIP seats for the parade. One last question, is there any special holiday happenings at any of the hotels? Thanks everyone and I love all the pictures and I did scroll through about 50 pages just to see the pictures.

dizneedoll - I have not done the holiday tour yet. I know we have lots of people in this thread who have done it so hopefully they will see your question and post. From all that I've heard, it sounds like it would be okay to take a 4-year-old along. I think the first couple of weeks of December are bearable as far as crowds (by all accounts). Then right before Christmas things start to pick up again and get very, very busy. So I think you should be getting to DLR at a time when the huge crowds have not set in yet. I mean, it will be crowded in some way because it's the holidays, but I think you will be missing the worst of it.

Sherry,

Yes, I did see your reply - thank you for the info! The last time we went was 2008 and I did not get to see it all lit up. So I am excited that (hopefully) this year they will keep it lit the whole time again!

So I have to tell you all about a conversation I had with my DH last night. I have been slowly going back through this thread and making notes/plans for our Christmas trip, so it is really on my mind.

Me: Honey, I think we need to add another day to our trip.

Dh: Why? We're going for three days and we were just there for three days.

Me: Well, the first day, we should do DCA because Aladdin is playing and you know how I love that show and it hardly ever is playing when we go. Then the next day we'll do DL. And there's so much to do, I don't see how we'll fit it all in. Plus, the third day I want to ditch you guys and go take pictures.

Dh: Are you serious? What else could you possibly take pictures of?

Me: For starters, there are 700 Christmas trees...

Dh: (Laughing) And you NEED to take a picture of all of them?


Dinner is now ready, so the conversation gets interrupted.

Later, my Dh approaches me again.

Dh: Are you really going to take pictures of all 700 trees? We don't want to spend the whole day without you.

Me: No, but I've started a list of all the things I want to get pictures of. (I then pull out my trump card...). I was thinking you boys could go spend a couple of hours in Innovations while I take pictures. I hate that place and never want to set foot in there again, but you all have been chomping at the bit to go back.

Dh: Oh, OH! That's a GREAT idea!

amamax2 - I had a hunch it was 2008 that you were there when you asked about the Castle being lit (or not) all night. That was what popped into my head because I remembered my frustrating experience with the Castle's icy lights turning off in 2008! I hope DLR does what they did last year and leaves the icy blue-ish lights on all night after they do the little light display up Main Street.

If your DH starts getting concerned that you'll be gone for too long while on your tree mission, you can possibly alleviate his concerns by telling him that many of the trees are in the Round-Up alone!! The Round-Up has lots of bare, undecorated trees during the season (those count as part of the 700 trees), as well as all kinds of small trees in planters. When you first enter DL, there are small trees around that area in the planters as well. So it's not like you'll be stopping at 700 places - there are certain areas where you will see a bunch of identical, small, undecorated trees in one spot. Some of the tiny trees are in window displays. Then there are others inside shops and restaurants, so those are the ones that will take up a lot of time because you might have to actually look inside shops or restaurants where you wouldn't have otherwise gone (including the shops and restaurants in DTD and the hotels)!!

Ok, so I am looking forward to seeing everyones pictures as the season fast approaches. Still bummed we aren't going to make it this year, but hopefully we can make it next year. I have a question, not Christmas related, but it was mentioned in this thread. What is the Dream Suite? Since we are novices when it comes to Disney and all the workings and things that go on, I have never heard of the Dream Suite before. Sounds magical.

Little update on us for those that have followed: Court is still being court...our girls now have to sit down and write a letter to the judge and tell him what they feel their brothers punishment should be for his actions. Since he is breaking a lot of his release agreement, the next hearing date will be quite interesting. The girls are dreading writing the letter because they don't want it to come back and haunt them. Good thing we did postpone our holiday trip this year, my husband got a bad infection on both of his legs...he has the MRSA Staph infection and has to go in every other day to have the dressings changed. He is unable to do anything and is bed ridden. So, if we hadn't cancled the trip then it wouldn't have been much fun with him bed ridden not able to do anything, my dad just had another heart attack 2 weeks ago so his health is questionable, and then I am trying to take care of everything on top of getting no nutrition. We are a mess. So, it is best that the trip has been postponed for at least a year...we all want to be able to enjoy it and we wouldn't have been able to this year. So instead I will continue to have this page open and look at pictures and read posts. I enjoy reading updates and everyones information.

Happy planning to all and would love to learn more about the dream suite.

scrappinbear78 - thank you for checking in with us and letting us know what's happening!! I do hope you will stick with us on this thread (and on Part 2 when it comes time to start it) all the way up until when you get to make your very own holiday trip!! We want to follow the course of the planning and see you through to your eventual DLR holiday trip!!

You asked about the Dream Suite. Well, in 2007 and 2008, there was this thing called Year of a Million Dreams. It was a year-long giveaway for two years in a row. Did you hear about it? In both DLR and WDW, they gave out prizes every day to people in the parks - and the prizes could range from Fast Passes to $500 gift cards to hotel stays to a free character meal to pins, etc. It was totally random who was picked - there was a roving squad of CM's who were handing out the prizes and they would just pick people at random.

The BIG prize in the giveaway was a one-night stay in the Dream Suite. In Disneyland, the Dream Suite is located in New Orleans Square and it occupies the site that used to house the old Disneyland Gallery. It is a space that is reserved for VIP's and celebrities, etc. It's not a place that anyone can book. Very few people from this board won the night in the Dream Suite, but our very own DIS'er Emmers was one of the very lucky ones. She had not been to Disneyland in a long time and this was going to be the first trip for her kids (in 2008). Her kids were already going to experience the magic of DLR during Christmastime, which was amazing enough - and then they won a night in the Dream Suite as well as a free character meal!!!! And they got to ride down Main Street and be announced as the winners of the Dream Suite stay. Emmers was saying at the time that she was afraid her kids would now think that this sort of thing would happen on every Disneyland trip and that future trips would not live up!!

 

[Sherry E]

I hope I don't jinx myself....Wife and I are planning a stop there in November and then heading up the coast for the rest of the weekend. It's our 20th Anniversary and we're so excited. Never been away from the kids and we are really splurging to do this. What is the cheapest way to get into DL for one day? Do I buy online or wait till I get to the park? Any concern for a sellout for the first day of the christmas season? PS. Can't wait to shoot some shots!

Mike - I don't think there is any chance of a sellout on the first day (11/12). I think you'll be fine there. Hmmm...the cheapest way. So you are planning on a one-day Hopper or a one-day/one-park ticket? I don't think there are any discounts that I am aware of on one-day Hoppers or on one-day/one-park. Even when you buy online, I don't think the one-day tickets have cheaper options.

I hope your plans go forward - I know you didn't think you would be making it back to DLR for a while after your last trip so that would be wonderful if you can swing it!! But it's so beautiful in DLR at that time of year - it will be worth it!!

 

[billwendy]

I am just SOOOOO EXCITED!!!

Okay we arrive on Saturday 11/13 and leave on Saturday 11/20. My conference for work is on Thursday 11/18 and is in Pasadena and will be over by 4pm.

Soooo, how many day pass do you think I should get? I know at LEAST a 3 day....should I do more? Which days would you choose to go into the park? I want to make sure I get to see WOC, Fantasmic and any fireworks available!!

HELP!!!!!

Also, do you think it will be hard to get fasspasses for WOC? We are trying to figure out if we need to do Ariels or will be fine without it...

Thanks!!

 

[OctoberDisney]

Just popping in to say hello! LOVE that the December calendar on disneyland.com is starting to load AND that we can make dining reservations in few days!

(AND, I wanted to see what my ticker says today!)

 

[dizneedoll]

Thanks Sherry. That's what I was hoping in terms of crowds. I know it will be busy, I'm just hoping it will be a tad early enough still to miss the really bad stuff. I would love to change my ressie to the first week of December but these were the only days I could get the AP rate at HOJO's. We mostly just want to see the decorations and do any of the special christmas stuff, get photos with character is their holiday outfits and see Santa so even if lines are bad for rides it will still be ok for us.

 

[funatdisney]

I hope I don't jinx myself....Wife and I are planning a stop there in November and then heading up the coast for the rest of the weekend. It's our 20th Anniversary and we're so excited. Never been away from the kids and we are really splurging to do this. What is the cheapest way to get into DL for one day? Do I buy online or wait till I get to the park? Any concern for a sellout for the first day of the christmas season? PS. Can't wait to shoot some shots!

I can't wait to see them!

As for the tickets, Sherry E. gave you the best information and advice (as always). The only thing that I advise is to have a ticket in hand before you get to the park. That is just my personal preference. I like to save time as much as possible, and having your ticket in hand before you arrive saves some time by not having to wait at the ticket booth. Just me; I cant wait to get into the park!

Happy 20th! How incredibly special to take a trip to DL to celebrate without the kids. DH and I just celebrated 17 years last weekend. We used to go to DL on our anniversary by ourselves, but now go for a few days with the girls (12 & 15) at the last week of Oct. We do get away for a weekend by ourselves during the year.

Are you going on the 12th of November? You will just love the Holiday decor and better plan on getting twice as much of pics than usual.

 

[amamax2]

I hope I don't jinx myself....Wife and I are planning a stop there in November and then heading up the coast for the rest of the weekend. It's our 20th Anniversary and we're so excited. Never been away from the kids and we are really splurging to do this. What is the cheapest way to get into DL for one day? Do I buy online or wait till I get to the park? Any concern for a sellout for the first day of the christmas season? PS. Can't wait to shoot some shots!

Just want to add my YAY to your trip - your photos are always so amazing, I can't wait to see them (though maybe you won't have quite so many as you should be concentrating on your wife. ).

Happy 20th and what a great wait to spend it. My Dh and I went to DL in May for our 25th - we did bring the kids, though - still haven't ever been away from them....though now that they are teens, we are thinking it might not be such a bad idea.

Where "up the coast" are you going?

 

[KCmike]

Mike - I don't think there is any chance of a sellout on the first day (11/12). I think you'll be fine there. Hmmm...the cheapest way. So you are planning on a one-day Hopper or a one-day/one-park ticket? I don't think there are any discounts that I am aware of on one-day Hoppers or on one-day/one-park. Even when you buy online, I don't think the one-day tickets have cheaper options.

I hope your plans go forward - I know you didn't think you would be making it back to DLR for a while after your last trip so that would be wonderful if you can swing it!! But it's so beautiful in DLR at that time of year - it will be worth it!!

Thanks Sherry. Loving this thread.