disney at christmas

[Belle Ella]

Sheesh, how early do you have to get there to beat security? My family was not happy with me that day.

Man, I'm pretty sure they've got security of some kind out all night. I know when I got there sometime before 6a (MM that day was 7a, I'm an over-achiever) they didn't have CM's at the security and I was asked to either wait or to cross over to DTD unless I was a CM by one of the Security CMs.

 

[Sherry E]

@Jillian
yes they're are going to be classic mickey ears holiday themed, i think i saw them, if i do i'll take a pic next time

yes the candy can letters are back, and i dont know if you guys know but this will be the last year they will be there because they are taking the sign down!

We were discussing this being the last year for the candy cane letters quite a few pages back when I posted the press release. I told everyone that they will never, ever, ever see them again in this candy cane version, so make sure to get all the photos they can get this year. I have a feeling some people will somehow miss out on the fact that this will be the last year for the letters and will go to DLR next year, expecting to see them, having missed out on their last chance to see them this year!!

I also said that those of us 'in the know' would probably be stalking the letters at 6 a.m. (those of us who get up early, that is) to get some nice, uncluttered shots before the people descend upon them!! Otherwise, during the day, I have a hunch that there will be many more people congregated around the letters than usual!

It's interesting that you don't think there are many decorations up! When Jillian and Bret posted links (yesterday) to MiceChat and Mintcrocodile with photos of what's up, I was thrilled because, to me, it looks like about 75% of the decorations are up. Well, I can't say that for sure because we didn't see if all the window displays are up. I know that the Main Street decorations and the big trees are the last to go up so I didn't expect to see those fully decked out yet. But the candy cane letters are up. The Golden Gate Bridge is decorated for the final time ever, which I was delighted to see. A Bug's Land had its giant ornaments and bulbs in place. There were some other randoms things too.

DL is always more decked out than DCA anyway, but I was afraid that, based on what they did for Halloween Time, DLR would skimp on the usual decorations in DCA, but it looks like everything that is normally there in DCA for the holidays is there again.

The one thing I did not see any photos of in DCA (yet) were the usual decorations they have in the Hollywood Backlot area, which would be the garland bells and garland candy canes, and also the elephants at the entrance are usually holding big wreaths. I wonder if they are skipping those this year, or if they just hadn't gone up yet?

I love those merchandise photos! That Pooh in his little jammies with the Mickey peppermint candies on them is soooo adorable!!

 

[Sherry E]

I've never even seen them. So totally excited! I was bummed about not getting to see the candy corn letters, so the candy cane letters will have to make up for it.

They really, really, really could have rolled out the candy corn letters one final time this year. Those were very fleeting. They didn't have them in 2009 either - and the Halloween Party was still being held in DCA at that point!! They let World of Color and ElecTRONica totally dominate DCA through the Halloween season this year, so bye bye all traces of candy corn.

 

[amamax2]

Man, I'm pretty sure they've got security of some kind out all night. I know when I got there sometime before 6a (MM that day was 7a, I'm an over-achiever) they didn't have CM's at the security and I was asked to either wait or to cross over to DTD unless I was a CM by one of the Security CMs.

Wow, good to know! I won't bother getting up even earlier this time, then, lol. I was more than willing to get up whatever time it took to get those empty Esplanade photos.

When we got there, a few CMs just arriving to set up the barricades to form lines - they were telling people the same as you, either wait in line, or you could cross to DTD but WERE NOT ALLOWED TO STOP AT ALL!!! on the way over. Even then, they really didn't want to let people cross - kept telling everyone who asked that nothing was open.

 

[Belle Ella]

Wow, good to know! I won't bother getting up even earlier this time, then, lol. I was more than willing to get up whatever time it took to get those empty Esplanade photos.

When we got there, a few CMs just arriving to set up the barricades to form lines - they were telling people the same as you, either wait in line, or you could cross to DTD but WERE NOT ALLOWED TO STOP AT ALL!!! on the way over. Even then, they really didn't want to let people cross - kept telling everyone who asked that nothing was open.

It's really a shame that they make it so hard to get photos of that area. I don't want one with people in the way. It's nice to just have an uninterrupted shot every now and again. I managed to get two quick ones off before I was told to go back and wait by the check point. I would have liked a couple extra seconds to adjust things, but sigh.

They really, really, really could have rolled out the candy corn letters one final time this year. Those were very fleeting. They didn't have them in 2009 either - and the Halloween Party was still being held in DCA at that point!! They let World of Color and ElecTRONica totally dominate DCA through the Halloween season this year, so bye bye all traces of candy corn.

100% agreed. And don't get me started on the whole Glow Fest/ElecTRONica garbage. Anyone know the end date for that? Please tell me it wont be lasting through the Holiday season? The Hollywood Pictures Backlot area looks atrocious.

 

[edna mode]

Is anyone planning on going for the tapings for the Christmas Day Parade? According to CM's last night, including one who verified this with City Hall, the parade down Main St portions are taking place tomorrow. All the camera rigging was up last night. The tree was not in place yet last night. I'm trying to talk the family into a long and boring, but cool day.

Yes, we are going. I called twice this week and was told that they didn't know when the taping would be. Then I called today and sure enough they said they were taping all weekend. But nobody seems to know who is performing.

does anyone know who is narrating the candlelight processional?

 

[BelleBway]

Hey all, Just wanted to say thanks for this thread! I've been reading it all week since I just decided to book a fairly last minute solo trip over Christmas weekend- I know the crowds will be insane, but it will still be more fun than sitting home alone!

Haven't been to DL in 10 yrs; way overdue for a visit, even it if I probably won't get to do a whole ton. Already have a WoC dining reservation and am hoping to book the Holiday Tour... and beyond that, just go with the flow and enjoy the holiday spirit!

 

[amamax2]

100% agreed. And don't get me started on the whole Glow Fest/ElecTRONica garbage. Anyone know the end date for that? Please tell me it wont be lasting through the Holiday season? The Hollywood Pictures Backlot area looks atrocious.

Bad news Jazz...it will be there through the Holidays. Only on Fri, Sat, Sun until (I think) Dec 17th, then nightly for the season. I imagine it is here to stay for some time as it seems to be hugely popular and a real money-maker.

I agree, though, I really dislike all the changes at DCA.

 

[uneekstylez]

Anyone know exactly WHEN they will take the letters out?

I have been trying for ages to get that iconic shot of all the letters, but something seems to always get in the way (like PEOPLE ) , or lighting or something....

I even went early one day on our last trip - dragged everyone out of bed and we headed over to the Esplanade, but security was already up and then we had to wait for over an hour in the scorching sun before they let us into the Esplanade - my family wanted to leave and come back, but I kept saying, I'm sure they'l let us in any minute now....didn't happen.

Sheesh, how early do you have to get there to beat security? My family was not happy with me that day.

We got each letter last month! What we did was go right when DL opened. So, everyone was going into DL while the DCA side w/the letters was pretty much empty. I tried to do a panoramic kind of photo but we failed miserably. LOL. So, we're gonna try again next month.

 

[Belle Ella]

Bad news Jazz...it will be there through the Holidays. Only on Fri, Sat, Sun until (I think) Dec 17th, then nightly for the season. I imagine it is here to stay for some time as it seems to be hugely popular and a real money-maker.

I agree, though, I really dislike all the changes at DCA.

Ugh. Needless to say, I wont be stepping foot there for my tripS in December. I wouldn't hate it so much if they could find a way to do the whole thing without destroying the atmosphere of the are during the day. The scaffolding just looks horrendous in what is my favorite part of DCA. At least then I could enjoy the are during the day and stay far far away at night since I hate the whole thing period.

 

[amamax2]

We got each letter last month! What we did was go right when DL opened. So, everyone was going into DL while the DCA side w/the letters was pretty much empty. I tried to do a panoramic kind of photo but we failed miserably. LOL. So, we're gonna try again next month.

That is really a great idea - I hadn't thought to try that! Thank you for the suggestion! At a minimum it should be a lot less crowded.

Yes, it is that panaromic shot I am after, too.

 

[PHXscuba]

OK, so I'm a little slow on the draw (had a class last night), but did I hear PEPPERMINT?! (lol that I was Sherry's first reaction when someone brought it up) For those who love the Dreyer's Peppermint ice cream, it is out, at least in my local Fry's (Kroger/Ralph's). And I am resisting the peppermint Hershey's Kisses while I finish my candy corn Kisses ... tis the season to overlap.

I can't believe my nickname for Tree Quest '10 actually caught on. Sherry, you should start an official Tree Quest thread right now to "spot" all the trees and referee which ones are new additions (because I know you don't have anything better to do, right?)

Side note: DD8 was lurking over my shoulder and saw the Tigger Pillow Pets. Anyone see/remember what other characters they had? Price? I think both DD8 and DD11 are putting them on their Christmas lists and I'd want them to be different. They know I am going to DLR next month. DS14 will be there in 2 weeks with his HS band, but I doubt I can convince him to take any pictures.

PHXscuba

 

[amamax2]

my tripS in December

Yay for tripS

Well, at least this way you'll have more time to devote to the photo Quests!

 

[amamax2]

I can't believe my nickname for Tree Quest '10 actually caught on. Sherry, you should start an official Tree Quest thread right now to "spot" all the trees and referee which ones are new additions (because I know you don't have anything better to do, right?)

Does this mean that you are in?

 

[where's_my_prince]

yeah i don't think they'll decorate hollywood backlot because the whole TRON thing but idk maybe they will...

 

[PHXscuba]

Not sure how many good tree pictures I'll be able to take. I am only taking my little point-and-shoot so it has limited options. I am traveling with my best friend, who is nuts about Disney like me but may not want to stop every 15 feet for pictures of seemingly random items.

I may instead take requests for pix of a few specific things that people are looking for and haven't seen yet, or prices they want to know before going. And I promise to PERSONALLY taste all the desserts, for research purposes, of course!

PHXscuba

 

[Sherry E]

No, no, no, no - no separate threads for Tree Quest. As it is, a few people were laughing about the fact that there was a separate thread for the Halloween Mickey popcorn bucket!

The idea is that all of us HERE in THIS thread are on the Tree hunt and can come back and compare notes!! If we start a separate thread, then it takes it away from this thread. As a mod, I have been trying to keep as much of the holiday-related stuff in one place as possible - and the Christmas superthread is the likely place - unless it's like a meet-up thread, or a question that just cannot be answered here, because it's cleaner and easier that way. And then there won't be 9 million holiday threads popping up like there were/are 9 million World of Color threads!

I'm only going with a point & shoot, too! You don't have to have an SLR to participate in Tree Quest or Santa Quest!

 

[funatdisney]

Bad news Jazz...it will be there through the Holidays. Only on Fri, Sat, Sun until (I think) Dec 17th, then nightly for the season. I imagine it is here to stay for some time as it seems to be hugely popular and a real money-maker.

I agree, though, I really dislike all the changes at DCA.

Not to mention that there isn't really much going on at DCA with the remodel in high gear.

 

[Sherry E]

Not to mention that there isn't really much going on at DCA with the remodel in high gear.

Drat. I have to say, I agree with Jazz. I'm not the least bit interested in ElecTRONica. I could not care less about it....especially nt if it's going to interefere with holiday decorations (like where's_my_prince said, it's unlikely they will put up the usual garland bells and wreaths in the Hollywood Backlot, and maybe not even the wreaths on the elephants at the entrance).

It's weird to me because, in the old days of DL - before there was a DCA - when a new movie would come out, there would be lots of merchandise for that movie in several stores, and there would be one or two photo op/display set-ups somewhere in the park...and that was about it. (Or maybe the parade would be more themed to that movie or something.) They did this for "Dick Tracy," for "Hunchback of Notre Dame," for "Beauty and the Beast," "Lion King," etc. But they didn't take over entire chunks of the park or entire lands to basically promote one film.

So this ElecTRONica thing seems like overkill on the "Tron" promotion to me. I'm really surprised they are going all out like this. At least Glowfest tied into World of Color and that was brand new in the parks, so they were hyping WoC big time...but this kind of thing to promote a movie?

 

[MattsPrincess]

went back today for the ears, thought i'd share them. They were $2.99 each at Walgreens. We're going to wear them on our Holiday Tour.