disney at christmas

[NewbieMouse]

Oh, I just noticed that, while reading through that info, NewbieMouse - some of it is outdated. You might want to remove it so no one thinks this is updated/recent info.

It's an old piece with new dates stuck in!! The part about the artificial tree is old. The part about the lighting show up Main Street is old. The part about Sleeping Beauty Castle being reopened is old. There's more too. It's from 2 years ago!!

I just pulled it down - sorry about that. Very sneaky to just change the dates and post it like that ("Magic Kingdoms" website?)

Thanks for posting the real info - getting pretty excited now!

 

[Sherry E]

I just pulled it down - sorry about that. Very sneaky to just change the dates and post it like that ("Magic Kingdoms" website?)

Thanks for posting the real info - getting pretty excited now!

Thanks, NewbieMouse! And, again, if it hadn't been for you I probably wouldn't have throught to look at the Disneyland News site again for another week or so, since it didn't have anything new when I checked last week. So you were the inspiration!

It's funny because, at a quick glance, what you posted from the other website looked right (we now know that, obviously, we can't trust Magic Kingdoms for reliable info!!). And then when I got deeper into it I realized that it had the paragraph about Sleeping Beauty's Castle (the walk-through) reopening...which happened in 2008. And then it said something about the "new" light show from the Castle to the tree...also from 2008. And the details about Santa's Reindeer Round-Up were 2 years old.

But it seems like whoever the PR/publicist person is who wrote up that press release must have saved a lot of the text as stock DLR holiday text, to be pulled out each year when they do a new press release. Much of the text in what you found was the same or very similar to what I got, as you saw, with the exception of maybe one word taken out here or there. And the dates made it look like it was current! So yes, very sneaky - or maybe just not very thorough!

Then again, I think it was Laughing Place that had Candlelight Processonial dates from 11 years ago (yes, eleven years ago!) on its site as of this year (!!!!!), and someone from the DIS looked at it thinking those dates were for this year, so I guess it isn't as shocking that someone had a 2-year-old holiday press release up! Magic Kingdoms probably just didn't bother reading the text carefully to see that some things needed to be revised!

I'm so excited too!
It's November - in 11 days it will be the official holiday season!! And they are NOT short-changing DCA this year like I was afraid they would do (like they did for Halloween Time)!! It will be a full-fledged, Resort-wide holiday celebration and I cannot wait!!

 

[kylie71]

Thanks so much for that post with all the info on Christmas season in the parks!
I cannot wait to see the Reindeer Roundup. No kids with us, but I still wanna go and meet santa, and see the reindeer!

 

[deejdigsdis]

Hi! I haven't popped in here in quite a while. Sherry suggested I share a picture here that I just posted in my TR. I took it Friday while strolling through Candy Palace.

It was a bit of a shock when I noticed it. Lots of transformations were going on last week. New Orleans Square is looking very Christmas-y. I specifically went to check out that staircase to see the fall foliage. (I think it was AmyPond who had posted pictures of it in the Halloween Thread. Very pretty.) Anyway, I was shocked to head back there and see it completely decked out in Christmas, with ornaments for sale filling the little courtyard.

 

[Sally_fan]

Thank you Sherry for posting that press release!!!! I am sooooo excited to hear that the candy cane letters will be there & that DCA will be fully decorated!! Let the countdown begin (not that it hadn't already but with Halloween being over, now it feels "real")!!!!!!!!!

 

[deejdigsdis]

Here's another holiday combo picture. This was taken Tuesday Oct. 26th.

 

[billwendy]

Thanks so much for that post with all the info on Christmas season in the parks!
I cannot wait to see the Reindeer Roundup. No kids with us, but I still wanna go and meet santa, and see the reindeer!

Im so glad you posted that - I love to enjoy all the holiday things too, but DH and I dont have kids!!! lol.....

Do you think there will be any candycanes 11/14=16?

 

[Sherry E]

Im so glad you posted that - I love to enjoy all the holiday things too, but DH and I dont have kids!!! lol.....

Do you think there will be any candycanes 11/14=16?

I could be wrong on this - because I've never waited for the fresh candy canes when I've been at DLR during my trips - but I thought it was something that they only do on select dates in December (meaning the set-up where you get a ticket and wait in line, and they let you have a maximum of two candy canes).

But before I shatter all the November visitors' dreams of freshly made candy canes with that statement, someone please jump in and correct me if I'm wrong!!

They do sell very big candy canes in certain shops around DLR, but I think the ones you want are December exclusives.

 

[Belle Ella]

Aw... It's so close now, huh? I love just seeing the snow on the castle. I wish I knew 100% for sure when I would be going. And with what you posted Sherry, I'm getting even more excited.

 

[Sherry E]

Thanks so much for that post with all the info on Christmas season in the parks!
I cannot wait to see the Reindeer Roundup. No kids with us, but I still wanna go and meet santa, and see the reindeer!

You're welcome! It's exciting to see it in print, isn't it? It makes it seem real all of a sudden - like it's finally time for the most magical season of all at DLR! Only 11 days away!!

The Reindeer Round-Up is great, and I'm sorry I didn't spend more time in it in the past. This year will be different and I plan to fully explore it! If you look closely around the Round-Up at the little mini-trees in planters, you will see tiny reindeer ornaments. There are all sorts of reindeer touches around the area. It's that fantastic Disney attention to detail!

I don't have kids, either - heck, at this rate I don't even know if I will be solo or if I will have friends with me, but I'm still going to get some Santa photos this year. I haven't gotten a DLR Santa photo since 2008, and this time I want to try to get all 5 DLR Santas in photos (if I have the patience to wait for all of them, that is) if I can - in both parks and at all 3 hotels!!

Hi! I haven't popped in here in quite a while. Sherry suggested I share a picture here that I just posted in my TR. I took it Friday while strolling through Candy Palace.

It was a bit of a shock when I noticed it. Lots of transformations were going on last week. New Orleans Square is looking very Christmas-y. I specifically went to check out that staircase to see the fall foliage. (I think it was AmyPond who had posted pictures of it in the Halloween Thread. Very pretty.) Anyway, I was shocked to head back there and see it completely decked out in Christmas, with ornaments for sale filling the little courtyard.

That candy corn is so festive!! NOS seems to be one of the plpaces they do first in terms of all-out decorations, maybe because it's tucked away in the park and not right out in the front. It's so beautiful, though, and the decorations are so unique to that area - lots of Mardi Gras colors!

Thank you Sherry for posting that press release!!!! I am sooooo excited to hear that the candy cane letters will be there & that DCA will be fully decorated!! Let the countdown begin (not that it hadn't already but with Halloween being over, now it feels "real")!!!!!!!!!

You're welcome! I have one last shot to get a bunch of candy cane CALIFORNIA photos. I only got a few back in 2008 and that was with a camera that way dying a painful death. I want to try to get a few more on a better camera and remember those letters fondly since it will be the last I will ever see of them.

I hope they also put the garland bells and garland candy canes back up in the Hollywood Backlot area. I was a wee bit worried they wouldn't because everything is so TRON-centered. But I am holding out hope for the garland bells and candy canes!!

And you're right - the countdown began a while ago, but at least we can feel like we're not cheating now that Halloween is over!

Here's another holiday combo picture. This was taken Tuesday Oct. 26th.

Love that! I love the combo photos!!! That is great!

 

[Sherry E]

Aw... It's so close now, huh? I love just seeing the snow on the castle. I wish I knew 100% for sure when I would be going. And with what you posted Sherry, I'm getting even more excited.

I don't why it is that every time I look at one of the official Disney sites, I never see any info. And then someone else stumbles upon a hot item right after I've been there! I have the worst timing! Anyway, I was excited to see the press release last night because it's detailed and it makes it all seem so tangible now! It's not like 6 or 8 months down the road anymore...it's 11 days down the road (well, not when I'll be there but when the season begins).

Well, even though you don't have your dates secured yet, you at least know you will be there at some point in December!


Woo hoo! Let the search for the 700 trees begin!!

 

[merrrydeath]

I could be wrong on this - because I've never waited for the fresh candy canes when I've been at DLR during my trips - but I thought it was something that they only do on select dates in December (meaning the set-up where you get a ticket and wait in line, and they let you have a maximum of two candy canes).

But before I shatter all the November visitors' dreams of freshly made candy canes with that statement, someone please jump in and correct me if I'm wrong!!

They do sell very big candy canes in certain shops around DLR, but I think the ones you want are December exclusives.

If you watch the Food Network special of Guy Fieri and his family going to Disneyland during the Holiday season, there's a whole part about the fresh candy canes. It's at about minute 6:34 on this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7WyvOU8KIzA

He says that they only make them once a week! I wonder how you find out which day they make them on?

 

[PHXscuba]

OK, Sherry, now that you've put it out there, we're all going to expect pictures of Santa Quest '10 with all five Disney Santas!

My CM friend played Mrs. Claus at Tokyo Disney last year and said she might be playing Mrs. Claus in DL this year, so I'll be the one taking pictures of the missus!

You're right about it feeling like we're not "cheating" now (although I've been semi-planning this since July). I know how much work it takes to get ready for Christmas (at DLR and here at home), and although I don't want the radio stations to start up the carols just yet, I do need to start the crafts and shopping for the kids.

Only two days until I can book our Holiday Tour!!

PHXscuba

 

[Sherry E]

I'm sure everyone has seen this already, from the Disneyland website, but I'll put it here anyway for anyone who hasn't. It looks like holiday tamales will be a new item at DLR this year:

http://disneyland.disney.go.com/events/holidays/?int_cmp=DLR_Homepage_FY11Holdiays_Tile

Dining

Enjoy a cornucopia of seasonal delights. Whether you're in the mood for quick service, casual or signature dining, you'll find something special to please every palette. Join us for your holiday dinner from Thanksgiving to New Year's Day.

Holiday Tamales

Feliz Navidad! Just for the holidays, we will be unveiling zesty tamales that will be available long before Las Posadas begins. Share in this festive tradition at Rancho del Zocalo in Disneyland Park and Cocina Cucamonga Mexican Grill at Disney California Adventure Park.

Sweets and Treats

Make a Holidays Demitasse Dessert part of a new tradition. This chocolate and peppermint cake is topped with mousse and served in a souvenir Mickey Santa demitasse.

This year, we are unveiling the Holiday Beignet, which is sure to become a seasonal classic. These Mickey-shaped gingerbread beignets are covered in cinnamon sugar and served with eggnog. They are only available at Café Orleans until January 2.

Be on the lookout for Snowman Shortbread, Slowflake Crispies and Mint Chocolate Cupcakes — all created in the Disneyland Resort Central Bakery. And special souvenir holiday hot mugs, cold cups and popcorn buckets are available with purchase.

Plaza Inn

Set your taste buds aglow with one of two different flavors as this original Disneyland Park landmark rolls out its famous Pumpkin and Chocolate Chestnut Yule Logs.

Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen

Celebrate the holidays in the French Quarter. Enjoy Cajun cuisine and live music in this New Orleans-style jazz club.

House of Blues

This legendary venue boasts down-home cooking and Southern hospitality. For a special treat, make a reservation for the famous Sunday Gospel Brunch.

Rainforest Café

Partake in shopping, fabulous food and exotic drinks. You'll feel like you're eating in the jungle, with animated apes, live parrots and sounds of the rainforest — all under a twinkling starscape.

World of Color Dining

Take dinner and a show to a whole new level. Special dinner packages for the World of Color are available at Ariel's Grotto and Wine Country Trattoria. You may also order from a variety of pre-packaged picnic meals to take to the Reserved Viewing section of Paradise Park.

Attractions and Entertainment

Gleaming ornaments and unforgettable moments lie ahead in the traditions of Disneyland Resort. Meeting Santa and Mrs. Claus, sharing breathtaking fireworks and a trip to Sleeping Beauty's Winter Castle are just a few of the attractions that have amazed families for generations.

"it's a small world" Holiday

Joy to the small world! Take an enchanting voyage that celebrates unique holiday festivities and traditions around the globe. You'll delight in all of seasonal costumes, decorations and lighting at one of our most beloved attractions.

Sleeping Beauty's Winter Castle

With snow-capped turrets, sparkling icicles and shimmering lights, the original Disney theme park castle is a winter palace to behold.

A Christmas Fantasy Parade

Heralded by trumpeting toy soldiers, romping reindeer and skating snowflakes, this event has become a magnificent tradition. Mickey, Minnie, Goofy and other Disney Characters don their most festive apparel for this extravaganza that welcomes Santa Claus to Main Street, U.S.A.

"Believe... in Holiday Magic" Fireworks Show

Look to the nighttime sky as fireworks burst to the sounds of the season. Experience child-like wonder as Disneyland Park glows and "snow" falls in an unforgettable finale. The show is best viewed from Sleeping Beauty's Castle, "it's a small world" and New Orleans Square.

For dates and time, please check the Calendar online or the Entertainment Times Guide at the Main Entrance, upon your arrival.

Santa's Reindeer Round-Up

Create cowboy-inspired gifts, decorate holiday cookies and join in line-dancing and sing-a-longs in Frontierland. Mrs. Claus, Santa and real reindeer invite one and all to the Holiday Ho-Ho-Ho Hoedown.

Haunted Mansion Holiday

Season's Screamings! From Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas, Jack Skellington and his crew give the Haunted Mansion a Christmas makeover. Don't miss the ginger-dread houses as the Oogie Boogie Man and others scare up festive fun. If you make it through, reward yourself with Jack's Chocolate Mud Coffin dessert!

For dates and times, please check the Calendar online or the Entertainment Times Guide at the Main Entrance, upon your arrival.

Main Street U.S.A. Christmas Tree

Main Street U.S.A. is the overture and encore for a visit to Disneyland Park. Its majestic tree glimmers with more than 70,000 lights and has over 2,000 ornaments. Stroll the snowy streets and pick up some handmade candy, freshly created by expert confectioners.

Mickey's Toontown:

There is extra festive magic is in the air since the residents fes-Tooned their homes for the holidays. Come see Goofy, Mickey and Minnie's decoration celebration!

While you are visiting, you won't want to miss some new attractions at Disney California Adventure Park.

World of Color:

The World of Color nighttime water spectacular weaves water, color, fire and light into a kaleidoscope of fantasy and imagination.

ElecTRONica:

This high-energy street party ignites the night with a celebration of Walt Disney Pictures TRON: Legacy, which opens in theaters on December 17.

Santa's Seaside Pavilion

Santa can also be found soaking up rays in Paradise Pier. Come for a visit at his gazebo, tell him your list and get a picture to boot!

"a bug's land"

Experience the holidays through a bug's eyes. See what it's like to be knee-high to a grasshopper as you observe wondrous, oversized ornaments. This favorite attraction is inspired by Disney·Pixar's A Bug's Life.

Attractions and entertainment are subject to weather conditions and change without notice.

Shopping

The Disneyland Resort is brimming with gifts for everyone on your list. From trendy to traditional, there are dozens of types of stores to choose from — all decked out in the spirit of the season.

RIDEMAKERZ
Kids of all ages come here to dream up, build and trick out their very own toy car or truck in a wonderland of chrome, horsepower and pulse-pounding sound. Pick up something new or get a gift card for the car enthusiast on your list.

Lego Imagination Center
Give a gift that inspires creativity. One look at the amazing creations within the Lego Imagination Center will have young and old bustling with ideas to work on together. Browse through a bounty of LEGO kits and brick sets or even handpick a custom selection for infinite possibilities!

Sephora
Discover a treasure trove of makeup, skincare and fragrances at Europe's leading beauty chain. This bath and body emporium offers everything from her favorite lipstick shade to that perfect gift set.

D Street
This is your single destination for the chic and offbeat. Urban art is fused with Disney's creative flair to create stylish clothing, jewelry and merchandise from trend-setting designers. Pick up the latest Vinylmation collectables and trade them with new friends for the holidays.

Marceline's Confectionery
Classic sweets and modern treats combine at the candy store named for Walt Disney's hometown. The festive seasonal items alone are the perfect accent to any holiday dinner table. You can even watch them being made by our expert confectioners!

Traditions

For 55 years, the generations have gathered at Disneyland Resort to reflect on holidays past, revel in the present and look to the future. Each Guest has a unique and special way to celebrate. From tannebaums to tamales, Disneyland Resort is home to classic traditions and a place to create new ones. This year, we have made it easier than ever to share yours.

Indulge in the Season

Our chefs always look to dazzle Guests with something new. In 1968, giant handmade candy canes sparked the season. Every year since, visitors have been lining up to purchase these treats. Then we rolled out the Plaza Inn's Yule Log, made in Pumpkin and Chocolate Chestnut flavors. Tastebuds were set aglow for young and old, and the logs have become a cherished, timeless classic.

As the Resort has grown, families have come together year after year to feast on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Eve dinners, in anticipation of the latest culinary delights.

This year, for the first time, the Disneyland Resort will be unveiling our newest seasonal temptation, the holiday tamale stuffed with masa and spices.

Deck the Halls

Each year the Disneyland Resort transforms into a dazzling winter wonderland. Some families can't wait to play among the ginormous ornaments of "it's a bug's life" or pose with the candy cane-striped California sign for their holiday cards. Some are inspired by the sense of peace and hope at the shimmering "it's a small world holiday" and, in the evening, meet under the glistening towers of Sleeping Beauty's Winter Castle for fireworks.

Check Your List

A picture with Santa is on the top of many holiday to-do lists. Disney Characters don their most festive apparel when they greet Santa and Mrs. Claus in A Christmas Fantasy Parade. The jolly old soul can be found at Santa's Reindeer Round-up or catching rays at Paradise Pier. Throughout the Resort, look for your favorites for a seasonal portrait.

Let the Memories Begin

See how fans around the world celebrate the season and herald your holiday visit to friends and family. Publish your favorite vacation memories, including photos, stories and videos, on this new Disney website. Share your memories.

Whether visiting the Disneyland Resort is a new or a classic tradition for your family, it will always be the place where holiday dreams come true.

 

[amamax2]

I'm sure everyone has seen this already, from the Disneyland website, but I'll put it here anyway for anyone who hasn't.

Thanks Sherry!! I did not see this yet and am so excited for all the details.

Sounds like they are going all out for the Holidays and I am so glad - I cannot wait to get there.

Interesting to note that Toon Town will be decorated (just like you thought) and this one has all the usual activities at the Reindeer Round-Up listed, including cookies/crafts/dancing....so maybe they will be there after all.

We love tamales, so especially interested to hear more details about them (hint hint to anyone going before/through Thanksgiving)....

 

[Sherry E]

If you watch the Food Network special of Guy Fieri and his family going to Disneyland during the Holiday season, there's a whole part about the fresh candy canes. It's at about minute 6:34 on this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7WyvOU8KIzA

He says that they only make them once a week! I wonder how you find out which day they make them on?

I love that Guy Fieri special! The reason I love it so is that it is DLR-specific. And it is DLR/holiday-specific, no less! Sure, I watch all the WDW specials on Travel Channel and wherever else they air, but there are very few that are only about DLR. And WDW usually gets the bulk of the holiday coverage, so it was time that DLR got some love too!

Plus, I'm dorky enough where that, even though I have the Guy Fieri show stored on the DVR, I will probably still tune in to watch it when it airs again this year on Food Network!!

I suppose that the candy/sweets hotline number I posted in the last page or two will probably be the number to call to get the candy cane schedule. They last updated the info on August 29 (the end of their summer season), so now that Halloween Time is over, they will probably update it for the holidays.

OK, Sherry, now that you've put it out there, we're all going to expect pictures of Santa Quest '10 with all five Disney Santas!

My CM friend played Mrs. Claus at Tokyo Disney last year and said she might be playing Mrs. Claus in DL this year, so I'll be the one taking pictures of the missus!

You're right about it feeling like we're not "cheating" now (although I've been semi-planning this since July). I know how much work it takes to get ready for Christmas (at DLR and here at home), and although I don't want the radio stations to start up the carols just yet, I do need to start the crafts and shopping for the kids.

Only two days until I can book our Holiday Tour!!

PHXscuba

We should all go on Santa Quest '10!!! (Hey, I've got people out on the quest for the 700 trees, so why not Santa, too?) Then we have to compare notes! For example, we have to see if all of our DCA Santas look like the same person, or if all the GCH Santas are the same person.

I, too, am not ready for carols just yet. Especially since it's supposed to be something crazy like 98 degrees tomorrow and it won't be feeling very Christmasy yet! But by the end of this month I will be humming "Winter Wonderland" as I go out to run errands.

(Seriously, what is up with the SoCal weather this year? This has got to be one of the weirdest weather years on record. It's been blazing hot when it should be comfortable. It's been chilly and gray when it should be hot and sunny. We are literally up and down the thermostat! It could be 59 degrees one week, 113 degrees the next, pouring rain the next week, back up to 73 degrees - and now back up to the upper 90's - in November! And that is no exaggeration. If we are going have this kind of wacky weather, I want it to snow in Los Angeles! Just once in my life, I want to see snow on the streets of L.A. It's snowed in Malibu before, rarely - so I'm holding out hope for Beverly Hills!)

 

[merrrydeath]

I love that Guy Fieri special! The reason I love it so is that it is DLR-specific. And it is DLR/holiday-specific, no less! Sure, I watch all the WDW specials on Travel Channel and wherever else they air, but there are very few that are only about DLR. And WDW usually gets the bulk of the holiday coverage, so it was time that DLR got some love too!

Plus, I'm dorky enough where that, even though I have the Guy Fieri show stored on the DVR, I will probably still tune in to watch it when it airs again this year on Food Network!!

I suppose that the candy/sweets hotline number I posted in the last page or two will probably be the number to call to get the candy cane schedule. They last updated the info on August 29 (the end of their summer season), so now that Halloween Time is over, they will probably update it for the holidays.

I feel the same way! It just thrills me when I actually see specials on DLR. I feel like it's brushed aside far too often because it's smaller.

I'll definitely watch it on tv again when it's on.

 

[PHXscuba]

Thanks for the updates from the official site. I know I like it better when it's truly official (no take-backs!!)

And I'm wiping the drool off my keyboard ... Mickey cinnamon beignets, mint chocolate cupcakes ... better increase that snack budget.

PHXscuba

 

[jemilah]

I am not sure we even need meals! we could eat goodies all day, I am soooo excited.

 

[Halloweenqueen]

Now that Halloween is packed away, my focus is on my next trip. I was able to pick up some Christmas shirts in DL last week. I wanted holiday mittens, scarves, etc. The online Disney store isn't showing much. Anyone have suggestions on where to find these? TIA