disney at christmas

[lapdwife]

Sorry, sitting on Main St. Those are the candy cane dates.

 

[pbbecker]

Our first day at DL is Nov. 30th so I would love to see the candy cane making! what time and where exactly is it at? Any info would be appreciated very much!

Thanks, Phoebe

p.s. I love this thread!

 

[specialks]

Wow, 3 of those dates are when we are there including our planned MM day. I personally don't plan on trying to wait to get them (just can't justify missing out on all the rides & characters in the morning to wait for candy canes no matter how awesome they are). But we might be able to at least peek in at some point and watch them being made.
I am hoping that it will take a few people from the MM crowds and allow us to cram even more into our first hour. Thanks lapdwife for getting the dates!

 

[smiley_face2]

11/26+30 12/9+11+13+17+21+24+29

Hubby just found the dates. I must be too blonde.

Thankyou!!! I'm so glad Tues. Nov. 30th is one of the candycane days, I was dreading it being Sat. Dec. 4th when the big sale in world of Disney was on, and the day of the candlelight processional, and there will be 10million people in the park... Thanks again for finding this for us all!!

 

[ConnieB]

We arrive on Dec. 4th and were planning on getting to the park around 4:00. Will it be really crowded for the Processional? How long does each last? Thinking about going to DCA instead. We would love to see the Processional but don't want to fight a crazy crowd for a good seat. Do people leave after the first one so maybe we can grab a good spot?

Yes, Main Street gets totally crazy for the Candlelight Processional. WIth the first show starting at 5:30, you will be arriving just as everyone is starting to find their places along Main Street. As I recall it lasts just over an hour....so about the time the first show is letting out, people planning to grab a spot for the second show will be starting up as well.

You'll have to judge when you arrive at 4pm whether you want to go ahead and grab a spot then if it's only just starting to get crazy.....or yes, you'll want to be worming your way in while the earlier crowd is trying to get out for the second show.

If CP is not really important to you....then DCA is a wise choice. If you were coming earlier in the day I'd say get to the Lands and away from Main Street before the madness begins....but you'll be arriving right at the start of the madness so you'll have to judge whether it's worth fighting the crowds to get through. If you are truly there at 4pm and not closer to 4:30, you may have a fighting chance.

Realize also that this weekend is the big sale at World of Disney in Downtown Disney so that brings in a huge local crowd as well. Not sure how many of them actually go into the parks......they're there to shop after all, lol....and if you've ever done the sale at WOD you know it's exhausting! Hupping your packages back to the car and then coming back to the parks might be a bit much, lol. Or do they have package service, where you can frentically buy all morning and wait to pick up your packages on the way out that evening? Not sure I'd want to trust my package to the chaos though...it's truly crazy. Makes Black Friday shopping at the mall look like nothing.

 

[Sherry E]

Hellllllllllllooooooooo, holiday peeps! I've got a few Tree Quest photos and other photos I will share once I sift through them and separate the decent ones from the ones that are a big blur! (Most are a big blur!)

Let me just say that a day like yesterday at DLR is why I am glad I have a multi-day DLR trip coming up next month - meaning.... IT. WAS. CROWDED. A one-day trip is not enough for me. I did not get to all the things that I would want to do in a day when it is not as crowded. I didn't get into DCA (that will be in December) but I saw the candy cane letters from afar! I didn't get into the Round-Up, but that will be in December. I didn't get over into Critter Country. I didn't get into ToonTown. I missed a lot - not because the folks I was with would have minded me wandering off. They were fine with whatever we all wanted to do, but I just couldn't hang with the heavy crowds in some areas of DLR. Sometimes I have patience for it - when I am well-rested - but when I am running on very little sleep, I can't tackle as much as I want to in those crowds.

If yesterday's day trip was my only holiday trip to DLR this year, I would be frustrated because it was again - like my one-day trip in December last year - way too crowded to do certain things. I didn't expect to get a lot of photos because it was supposed to be a short trip, but for some reason I was thinking December would be more crowded than November - even on the opening weekend of the holiday season. I kept saying to people I was with, "Wow! I can't believe the crowds! It looks like it could be December!" It's not even the lines for rides that bother me so much - it's the mobs of people when you are trying to walk from Point A to Point B that frustrate me - just general traffic everywhere you turn.

I see that lapdwife was there yesterday too, from her post about the candy canes - too bad I didn't know she was there, we could have met up (I was with other DIS'ers - Mariezp, Mary Jo, YellowMickeyPonchos and Rtobe...and then later we met up with Circusgirl)!

Anyway, some quick holiday observations:

1. I still and always adore IASW Holiday. Such a beautiful ride, inside and out. I did not smell peppermint this time but I smelled the IASWH version of gingerbread, which is normally different than the HMH version of gingerbread.

2. I did not, however, smell any gingerbread in Haunted Mansion Holiday. I know people have smelled it since it opened in September, but I think the smell wore off a little and they need to refresh it.

3. Okay, I know I am not going crazy...those gingerbread cookies with Mouse ears (at least the ones in Marceline's) have gotten smaller since I bought a few in 2008. I didn't get any cookies last year so maybe they were already small. But between 2008 and now, they have shrunk. The ones I ate in 2008 were pretty big, hefty cookies, and even though the cookies are still kind of thick now, their waistlines have gotten thinner and a the gingerbread men are a bit shorter.

4. The peppermint pot cake (otherwise known as the demitasse dessert) is, as where's_my_prince told us, not available yet. One of the servers at Carnation told us that they had it but she must have been wrong because we didn't see it anywhere else - not at Plaza Inn, not in Blue Ribbon Bakery, etc. I think the November 24th date that where's_my_prince gave us is when we will see the pot cake!

5. The piece of pumpkin yule log that they give you at Plaza Inn is huge! YellowMickeyPonchos got one and I couldn't believe what a big hunk of it they gave her - but when we get deeper into the holiday season, they will have a chocolate yule log.

6. If we want to realllllllly make things interesting, let's not only do Tree Quest - let's also do Wreath Quest!!! I think there may even be more wreaths in DLR than there are trees!!!

7. New Orleans Square is stilll exquisitely beautiful at night - really, one of the best parts of the holiday season.

8. I normally don't bother with the parade or the fireworks - but this trip we did both, so I was glad about that because I had the chance to do things I wouldn't ordinarily be doing! Seeing the holiday parade at night is so much better than in the daytime because some of the floats are just gorgeous and their beauty doesn't really come through in the daytime.

9. I never get tired of looking at the nighttime Winter Castle! And I never get tired of hearing different styles of holiday music in the different lands. That is one of the best things about the holiday season at DLR - the music!

10. Did I mention that it was CROWDED?

 

[funatdisney]

Sherry, so happy to know you made it to DLR, even with the crowds. I am wondering that it was crowded because this weekend lots of folks had a four day weekend (taking Friday after Veteran's Day off). That may have made this weekend more crowded than usual. I, for one, was planning on going on Friday, since my kids had the day off from school. I opted to stay and take a horse backing riding lesson instead (awesome day that was). I am glad I choose a day at the ranch.

It will be interesting if they start the season a week later (and not around Veteran's Day) to see if that will have an effect on attendance.

Can't wait for your pictures and to see your inventory of Trees! The wreath idea is a good one. Lets do it.

 

[lapdwife]

I see that lapdwife was there yesterday too, from her post about the candy canes - too bad I didn't know she was there, we could have met up (I was with other DIS'ers - Mariezp, Mary Jo, YellowMickeyPonchos and Jtobe...and then later we met up with Circusgirl)!

I'm bummed, wish I'd known!! Our internet was down all day yesterday and I can only cruise the web so much on my Droid. It was a last minute light cycle and fireworks trip for us. Now that Holidays are in full swing, I'm sure we'll make more frequent little trips.

Hearing you mention the tons of people...last night we're sitting on Main St next to the Indian before fireworks. Some guy sits next to me literally hip to hip with me. A big eyed me looks at dh, I say 'he's sitting on me', who in turn tells me to calm down. I'm ok with the mob, as long as said mob isn't touching me

 

[amamax2]

11/26+30 12/9+11+13+17+21+24+29

Thanks for the dates!

Wow, so one is a day we are there...didn't think that would happen, and now have to make decisions. We had planned on DCA that day....

Anyone know if they make them more than once each day? And if so, is it spaced out, or all the batches in a row? Any idea the time? And how long does it take to make batch? I couldn't really tell from watching it on YouTube.

Like a pp, I don't really need to buy them, but would be willing to run over to DL to see them being made....

 

[Sherry E]

Sherry, so happy to know you made it to DLR, even with the crowds. I am wondering that it was crowded because this weekend lots of folks had a four day weekend (taking Friday after Veteran's Day off). That may have made this weekend more crowded than usual. I, for one, was planning on going on Friday, since my kids had the day off from school. I opted to stay and take a horse backing riding lesson instead (awesome day that was). I am glad I choose a day at the ranch.

It will be interesting if they start the season a week later (and not around Veteran's Day) to see if that will have an effect on attendance.

Can't wait for your pictures and to see your inventory of Trees! The wreath idea is a good one. Lets do it.

Hi, Liza! Well, Tree Quest has only begun. I was only able to get a very. very few tree photos - I didn't make a real aggressive effort because I knew I would be back for my 'real trip' in December. But I wanted to get a few tree photos while I was there just to show I was paying attention! I didn't get many photos in general compared to what I know I can do with my little camera, but I got more than I expected to get. December will be the real crazy camera adventure!

Oh, here is a tip for those who are embarking on Tree Quest - there are two trees in Plaza Inn. One at one end of the restaurant and one at the other end. I won't tip everyone off to other trees I saw (because I didn't get photos of them yet) - part of the fun is in the hunt for the trees, and not knowing where you will find them.

But wreaths were everywhere!

I agree - it will be interesting to see if DLR starts its 2011 holiday season on Veterans Day. For some reason I keep thinking they will not do that, but after seeing yesterday's crowds for a holiday and holiday season opening weekend, I can't help but think they will realize what a money-maker it is for them to get the holidays going as early as possible. So they may do it then.

I think a day with the horse was probably more therapeutic and restorative than battling the heavy crowds at DLR, Liza! I think you made a good choice! Hopefully these crowds will have died down a wee bit by the time you make your December trip!

 

[amamax2]

Yay Sherry!

At least you made it and got your first taste of the Christmas season - I am just hopping up and down with anticipation. And since you did some things already, it will make that multi-day trip even better.

I do think funatdisney is right and some of the huge crowds is the combination of the opening of the Holiday seasons and the four-day weekenders....

The first time we went and saw Christmas decor, the first day was Nov 7th...I can't remember what year that was..so even earlier than this year, but then they went to later in the month...but like you said, with the crowds, maybe they'll go back to early November. Of course, back then, they didn't do all the stuff for Halloween, so that may affect the opening date.

Can't wait to see pictures...and I am in for the Wreath Quest, too. Hey, as long as I am taking pictures.

 

[funatdisney]

Oh, here is a tip for those who are embarking on Tree Quest - there are two trees in Plaza Inn. One at one end of the restaurant and one at the other end. I won't tip everyone off to other trees I saw (because I didn't get photos of them yet) - part of the fun is in the hunt for the trees, and not knowing where you will find them. But wreaths were everywhere!

Thanks for the tip. I can't wait to begin my Tree Quest. BTW, I am going to take my DD to DL on her birthday. I will be going on the 28th with two 13 year olds and me! That is Thanksgiving weekend, so it will be crowded much like or worst than this weekend. We will get there right at opening and take every ride we can! I'm hoping that they will go on the rides by themselves and I can take some pictures while I wait for them.

I agree - it will be interesting to see if DLR starts its 2011 holiday season on Veterans Day. For some reason I keep thinking they will not do that, but after seeing yesterday's crowds for a holiday and holiday season opening weekend, I can't help but think they will realize what a money-maker it is for them to get the holidays going as early as possible. So they may do it then.

I think a day with the horse was probably more therapeutic and restorative than battling the heavy crowds at DLR, Liza! I think you made a good choice! Hopefully these crowds will have died down a wee bit by the time you make your December trip!

I tend to agree with you. The potential earnings of including Veteran's Day weekend (it falls on a Friday) may too tempting.

My trip will be hectic at DLR. I am going the same weekend of the CP and the Dec 4th AP sale. We don't plan on going to the CP (we have attended one in the past), but I will go to the AP sale. It will be nice to just roll out of bed, go to the sale, and lug my loot back to my room. I know how to battle the crowds, and will plan on taking advantage of the early entry and late closing during that weekend.

Yes. next to DL, my horses are very good for my soul, and seeing my DD(15) with horse, Lena, just warms my mother's heart. I am a novice rider, so I need those lessons. Soon I will be riding on my other horse, Pocket.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Glad to hear Sherry that you got to enjoy the Holiday experience at DL the first weekend despite being crowded. Thx for all the quick observation tips when you were at the DLR yesterday.

The Wreath Quest is also another great idea of doing another game at DL during our Tree Quest. So I am inthe Wreath Quest as well as the Tree Quest and all the ride vehicle pictures.

 

[SueTGGR]

11/26+30 12/9+11+13+17+21+24+29

Hubby just found the dates. I must be too blonde.

THANK YOU!!!!!
I can now make my Holiday plans!

 

[Feistygirl916]

Dare I ask...

What the heck is Tree Quest?

 

[funatdisney]

How interesting that they are making candy canes after Christmas. Might be a good day to just to get one.

I have watched them make candy canes about 6 years ago. If you have a chance to watch the candy cane process, it is well worth your time. I was so fascinated watching the master candy makers make them, that I stood for about a hour at the window. It is one of my favorite memories I have had at DL.

 

[Sherry E]

Dare I ask...

What the heck is Tree Quest?

Tree Quest is sort of a fun, informal challenge that we came up with in this thread, involving hunting down all the different Christmas trees around DLR (and that includes all 3 hotels, all restaurants and shops, DTD shops and restaurants, the holiday parade, as well as both parks).

It all started a couple of years ago, when I watched a local morning news segment on the opening of the holiday season at DLR. The reporter was giving all these statistics as to how many miles of garland were strung around DL, how tall each of the major trees is (in DL, DCA and DTD), how big the ornaments are, etc. It was very interesting. The one number that stuck out in my head was '700.' There are 700 trees of all sizes spread around the entirety of DLR - they could be in store windows, they could be in planters, many of them are bare in the Round-Up, etc. They range from tiny to enormous, but there are 700 of them.

So began my quest to locate the 700 trees last year. Well, I got almost nowhere on my mission because my trip was short. So at some point on this thread I threw out the challenge to the other Disney at Christmas thread followers to go out and find those trees.

One of our regular posters - PHXScuba - called this mission "Tree Quest '10." And it basically entails finding either as many of the 700 trees as you can OR finding the very random, out-of-the way trees. So in this case, quality and quantity work well!

As a result of Tree Quest, I suggested we also have Santa Quest (get your photo taken with all 5 Santas at DLR), Treat Quest (get photos of all of the holiday goodies and special meal items), Trinket Quest (get all the merchandise you can on camera), etc.

And yesterday, while at DLR, it dawned on me that there are wreaths all over the place - thus, I added Wreath Quest to my list of Quests!

So we will all be posting Tree Quest and other Quest photos in this thread as they come in.

In fact, I am in the process of loading my photos to Photobucket now, and there are a few Tree Quest and Wreath Quest entries included.

 

[darren123]

Hello All

This maybe a silly question does Disneyland sell Christmas cards

Thanks

 

[Sherry E]

Hello All

This maybe a silly question does Disneyland sell Christmas cards

Thanks

Yes! I haven't bought any in a while, but I've seen them around. In the old days I used to buy both individual cards and boxed sets at DLR. I'm not sure if they still single cards - I think you'd be more likely to find single cards in the hotel gift shops. But the boxed sets (for example, there is a lovely boxed set of cards with the Castle on it - I think it's the nighttime Winter Castle, too!) can be found in shops along Main Street and probably in World of Disney, too. China Closet is one place where I've seen cards, but they sell them elsewhere too.

 

[aussiegirls]

Hi

Can someone please explain to me what the Annual Passholder sale day thingy is?

Do the shops just open earlier for AP holders to do some shopping or do they get some additional special discounts or what?

Thanks

xxx