Disneyland at Christmas/Holiday Season Superthread #2 (Closed)

[Sherry E]

It’s time for the Weekly Monday Countdown!!!

...Only 7 Days Until the
Holiday Season Begins at Disneyland Resort!!!!​

And with the new week comes a new DLR holiday theme!!

As you know, I’ve been showcasing particular areas of interest of DLR's holiday celebration each week in anticipation of the official season start date on Monday, November 12, 2012!! We are now in the final stretch of this countdown! Today (11/5/12) showcases our last main weekly theme. Then, starting tomorrow, we will kick into warp speed with six ‘mini-themes’ which will be featured each day from 11/6 – 11/11. The final ‘Miscellaneous’ theme will come on Monday, November 12th (with a catchier name than “Miscellaneous,” though!).

Theme Week Countdowns are a great way to keep the photos rolling in on a regular basis and build anticipation for 11/12! Also, this is a way to display the different aspects and details of the holidays at DLR that may be totally new to some people...or previously unnoticed/undiscovered by others.

Last week, we sampled the delicious Treats and Treasures offered in the parks for the season. Prior to that, we admired the beauty of the many Christmas Trees around the Disneyland Resort. The week before that, we visited the playful, colorful, off-kilter world of Mickey’s Toontown. The week before that we reveled in the pageantry of A Christmas Fantasy Parade and gazed in awe at the Believe…In Holiday Magic Fireworks. Prior to that we enjoyed the Yuletide season around the globe as we sailed through It’s a Small World Holiday. The week before that strolled through the mysterious, music-filled alleys of New Orleans Square, where Christmas is observed with Mardi Gras flair. The week before that we explored Jack Skellington’s twisted (though well-meaning) vision of bringing two holidays together in the Haunted Mansion Holiday ride. The week before that we visited the rustic holiday celebration at Santa’s Reindeer Round-Up. The week before that, we searched for signs of Christmas in California Adventure – a park that is sure to look very different this November. And we started off this year’s countdown by soaking in the small town American charm of Main Street.



What’s next?

Today, we venture out of the parks and enjoy some of the decorations around the other areas of Disneyland Resort!

In the Spotlight this Week......

THE HOTELS OF THE DISNEYLAND RESORT
(Disneyland Hotel, Grand Californian Hotel & Paradise Pier Hotel)!!!​

One of the wonderful aspects of the holiday season at the Disneyland Resort – and possibly one of the most overlooked – is the décor that you can find around the three Resort hotels: The Disneyland Hotel, the Paradise Pier Hotel and the Grand Californian Hotel. Each hotel has its own unique theme and ambiance.

Whether it’s the wacky, colorful, slightly off-kilter tree which greets guests at Goofy’s Kitchen in the Disneyland Hotel; the Dickens carolers performing by the enormous, elegantly rustic Christmas tree in the cozy Grand Californian Hotel lobby; or the gorgeous, glowing jewel tones of the majestic Paradise Pier tree, there are many amazing things to see which can get you in the holiday spirit!

One of the best things to do is to curl up on a comfortable sofa or in a chair to soak in the festive atmosphere at the Grand Californian, as a pianist and guitarist take turns entertaining the audience with Yuletide favorites. Santa Claus holds court by the tree, and there are PhotoPass photographers nearby to capture those special moments. Or, perhaps, snuggle up by the hearth with a loved one, sipping on hot cocoa.

Disneyland Hotel’s Santa Photo spot is a rather elaborate one, filled with reindeer decorations and even cookies and milk left by the fireplace.

The Christmas tree is the true highlight of the decorations at the Paradise Pier Hotel, but you can also find some colorful holiday touches near the PCH Grill and around the hotel property.

Anyone is welcome to visit the three Disneyland Resort hotels – you do not have to be an overnight guest to enjoy these offerings.



Stay tuned for a new theme starting tomorrow, November 6th. Some great themes are coming up in this final stretch of the countdown!

Disneyland Hotel:

This giant Mickey was not at the Disneyland Hotel in 2011 - will he make a return?

Paradise Pier Hotel:

Grand Californian Hotel:

​

Please feel free to post your holiday photos of the 3 hotels of the Disneyland Resort this week (including photos of the Christmas trees - even though we already covered that theme a couple of weeks ago)!

 

[Sherry E]

I'm another vote for 11/12!! My choices for your photos and reviews would be....

The Christmas Village in DTD. So excited about that!!!

Carsland decorations

Christmas treats (old and new.....just love seeing the pics! lol)

Merchandise -- anything with 2012 on it if possible. Christmas ornaments as well if possible.

Any little Christmas trees for sale. We are hoping to get one for the room and are hoping those little ones posted earlier in this thread are still available!! The prices too, if possible.

VERY excited to see your pictures and report afterwards!!!!

StyledSugar -

I will keep watch for those little trees! I think they're adorable, and they come in that green canister for mailing! You know, I first spotted those cute trees in 2010 (the pictures I posted of them here last week were from November and December 2010). I'm not sure if they had been on sale during previous years' seasons and I somehow didn't see them, but I tend to think they were not really around until 2010. At that point, I saw them in quite a few stores - they were in the Emporium, in one or two of the hotels' gift shops, in Marceline's Confectionery and in the main shop in Frontierland.

Last year I didn't get a chance to look around and really see if the tiny trees were still as prolific as they had been the year prior. I know they were still being sold because I saw them in other folks' photos. I just don't know if they were in as many places. I have to think that those trees are very popular, and if they were not being sold again this year there would probably be something else very similar.

They even had Halloween versions of the mini-tree at one point!

I vote for 11/12 since that's when I'm there !!!!

MyMuse -

It's looking like 11/12 will be the day. It's supposed to rain this weekend - I hope it doesn't get delayed and decide to rain on 11/12.

Sherry - It definitely seems like you would wait until Nov 12 if possible! Better safe than sorry.

If you could keep an eye out for the best place to see Christmas stockings it would help me immensely when I am there next month. I am on a mission to help a neighbour find a stocking for her adopted daughter - to match the rest of the family. I need to know where I can find the most selection.....
TIA!

And thanks so much for all this amazing information. Without you I would have no idea how amazing our little 2 day trip will be at this time of year! I have read every word of this thread. You rock!

tanyaewa -

Thank you so much for the kind words. I'm glad this thread has been of help. You will have a wonderful trip.

I will look for the stockings - especially in the shop that Jessica/Belle Ella suggested (Julus Katz & Sons)! I would imagine (or would hope) that the shops on Buena Vista Street would have an interesting selection of stockings.

Sherry, just go on the 12th and then find me on Buena Vista Street. Deal? Haha

And to tanyaewa on the DCA side at the moment at least, the best place to look for stockings or anything holiday related as far as decorations go would be Julius Katz & Sons on Buena Vista Street.

Hi, Jessica!

I think that 11/12 looks like the day. I don't want to miss the Christmas village in DTD, and I can't be certain that it will be open before 11/12. I will be roaming Cars Land and Buena Vista Street like a madwoman, trying to absorb every bit of holiday-ness. You'll definitely see me!

Sherry,

I have a challenge for you...

I would love to hear your thoughts on what exiciting things an 8-year old would want to see/experience beyond the usual rides/attractions/etc...

I'll admit that I would prefer NOT to see any pictures of the decorations... Merchandise, treats, etc would be great but with this being a first Christmas visit I'm hoping to minimize any spoilers... But I can just skip over the pictures posted after 11/12

Thanks!

J.

JediMasterNerd -

I've taken into consideration that there are probably quite a few folks who do not want to see too many of the decorations - especially the new stuff.

What I think I will do is - instead of posting the photos in order of when they were taken (like I would do in a trip report) - separate the photos into different posts after I go to DLR on 11/12. Like, for example, I will do a post with photos of treats or anything food-related. Then I will do a post or two of any merchandise or holiday collectibles. Then I'll do a post or two or three with some the new Cars Land/Buena Vista Street stuff. And I will be sure to say, "Cars Land/Buena Vista Street photos are next," just to give people fair warning if they want to turn away and not see anything. I'll be sure to announce what it is I am posting to give everyone a chance to escape before seeing the pictures.

Now, let's see...as for the 8-year-old... I'm guessing that the Jedi Training Academy is already an obvious choice!?

I would have suggested to be sure to see the reindeer at the Round-Up, but seeing as it doesn't sound like there will be any reindeer there this year, I guess that particular thing is out of the question. However, I still think that the Jamboree (which was supposed to be called the Holly Jolly Jamboree and then was switched to the Jingle Jangle Jamboree) will be a fun place to take kids. I think there might be some fun games or crafts back there, as well as characters - and that is one of the locations for meeting Santa.

In fact, if Santa is popular with the 8-year-old, then make sure to visit him in both parks and in all 3 hotels.

Hmmm...what else? That Pirates League thing in New Orleans Square is not running through the holidays, it appears (at least I don't think so), or I would have suggested that.

Pirates Lair (formerly Tom Sawyer's Island) is something that a lot of folks probably don't do, so that's fun for exploring.

Always, always keep an eye out for hidden Mickeys! There's the snowdrift hidden Mickey on the floor of the ballroom scene in Haunted Mansion Holiday (off to the right side of the room). There are hidden Mickeys in the window displays at Ramone's House of Body Art in Cars Land. There are hidden Mickeys in the queue for the Little Mermaid ride.

I'll keep thinking and maybe I'll come up with something else - or maybe someone else in this thread will think of some good ideas for 8-year-olds too!

I'd love to hear about this year's treats as well!

I really love the cupcakes at the Jolly Holiday Bakery (especially the one they had at Halloween, yum!) and would love to know what kind of seasonal cupcake is being offered.

Thanks so much for all of the photos and info!

MinnieM21 -

I would imagine that there will be some fun holiday cupcakes at Jolly Holiday and a few other places around the parks. It seems that with Cars Land and Buena Vista Street being new at DCA, there must be at least a couple of new holiday treats too. Even the Christmas village in DTD is supposed to sell seasonal treats, so I will have to survey the selection and see if there is anything festive and different than what's in the parks.

 

[tksbaskets]

Great theme day!
Grand Californian Hotel
2009
Arrival:

Festive auto:

I spent a very enjoyable 1/2 hour with this group:

White Water Snacks:

2011
I can't do this tree justice:

 

[jkh1978]

Why did they say there would be CO dinging plans and then no dining plans?

 

[Sherry E]

TK -

Thank you for posting your photos! I was beginning to think my theme was totally ignored for today! I know I can always count on you!


jkh1978 -

You mean for the Candlelight Processional? Who said there wouldn't be any packages? Was that discussed in this thread and I somehow missed it?

The last thing I saw about the CP was tonight, on the DLR website. I got an e-mail with a link to the page for Annual Passholders. More info on how AP holders can enter the contest is coming next Monday, 11/12.

If Disney is reserving seats for AP holders who win the contests, maybe they decided to not sell packages? Or maybe they are still setting aside very few seats for those who pay for packages. I'm not sure. All I know is, from what I saw of the CP seating at DL last year, they don't have room for too many people - so not too many people will be able to win that sweepstakes and see the CP.

 

[Crazy4Disney06]

TK -

Thank you for posting your photos! I was beginning to think my theme was totally ignored for today! I know I can always count on you!


jkh1978 -

You mean for the Candlelight Processional? Who said there wouldn't be any packages? Was that discussed in this thread and I somehow missed it?

The last thing I saw about the CP was tonight, on the DLR website. I got an e-mail with a link to the page for Annual Passholders. More info on how AP holders can enter the contest is coming next Monday, 11/12.

If Disney is reserving seats for AP holders who win the contests, maybe they decided to not sell packages? Or maybe they are still setting aside very few seats for those who pay for packages. I'm not sure. All I know is, from what I saw of the CP seating at DL last year, they don't have room for too many people - so not too many people will be able to win that sweepstakes and see the CP.

It was posted on the DL blog a few hours ago NO dinning packages this year for the CP.

 

[kandyk]

They posted it on the Disney blog. I'm a little disappointed they aren't having a dining package but hopefully I can get drawn for the AP or I'll have to spring for the Ultimate Holiday package that was described earlier on this thread. Either way I will go!!!

 

[KCmike]

I just read this as well. Is this really true??? Sherry can this be??? If I was going this season I would be very upset about this. We had serious thoughts about flying out to see Dick Van Dyke but am relieved we decided against it now. I'm wondering if this message could be wrong? Any thoughts???

 

[Mommy2PrincessAbby]

I'm pretty bummed... I was fine missing CP when it was on 1 weekend, and I was trying to avoid it... but them to get hopes up about a dining package and now not have one

 

[Escape2Disney]

I'm pretty bummed... I was fine missing CP when it was on 1 weekend, and I was trying to avoid it... but them to get hopes up about a dining package and now not have one

I just read this and am VERY disappointed! The blog is stating that there are no dining packages. I wonder if the rumor about the tour is still an option. I will be an AP, but not until we arrive. They are saying that it can be seen standing room only, but I cannot stand for more than 5 minutes at a time. The only real way to see it would have been to have seating. Very disappointing.

 

[Avery's mom]

I just read this and am VERY disappointed! The blog is stating that there are no dining packages. I wonder if the rumor about the tour is still an option. I will be an AP, but not until we arrive. They are saying that it can be seen standing room only, but I cannot stand for more than 5 minutes at a time. The only real way to see it would have been to have seating. Very disappointing.

The Ultimate Holiday Tour will be available for December 1st and 2nd only, from what I understand. I haven't heard many people who are happy about the way this is being arranged this year.

 

[MileHigh]

I just read this and am VERY disappointed! The blog is stating that there are no dining packages. I wonder if the rumor about the tour is still an option. I will be an AP, but not until we arrive. They are saying that it can be seen standing room only, but I cannot stand for more than 5 minutes at a time. The only real way to see it would have been to have seating. Very disappointing.[/QUOTE


Previous post beat me to the answer!

 

[Escape2Disney]

We won't be there until the 8th, so we're out of luck. What an awful way to treat non-AP guests. Just another show that's hard to see from a wheelchair/scooter and small children.

 

[Sherry E]

It was posted on the DL blog a few hours ago NO dinning packages this year for the CP.

Thank you, Crazy4Disney06 -

I appreciate the clarification. I saw a mention earlier today about the CP not having dining packages in Laurie/DizNee Luver's TR, and I had no idea where that info had been posted, as I didn't see it on the Parks Blog, on the DLR website, on the Disneyland News site or anywhere. I even checked the Disney Parks Blog a few times today, checking for CP info, and saw nothing new!

They posted it on the Disney blog. I'm a little disappointed they aren't having a dining package but hopefully I can get drawn for the AP or I'll have to spring for the Ultimate Holiday package that was described earlier on this thread. Either way I will go!!!

kandyk -

Disney must be setting aside seats for the folks who buy the Ultimate deal, and then for whichever lucky AP people win the lottery. But, given that the location of the CP is going to be in Town Square, they cannot have too many seats there. From what I saw of the CP invitation-only seats last year, they are limited. If the CP were held in a theater, that would be a different story!

I would imagine that many people will be entering the contest in hopes of attending the Dick Van Dyke nights or the Kurt Russell nights. (Does anyone care about the Patricia Heaton night?) With two performances each night, that will increase chances to win, but still...with so few seats, not too many people can win.

I hope they at least let us enter for more than one night, or more than one time slot per night (like they do with most of the AP lottery deals).

I just read this as well. Is this really true??? Sherry can this be??? If I was going this season I would be very upset about this. We had serious thoughts about flying out to see Dick Van Dyke but am relieved we decided against it now. I'm wondering if this message could be wrong? Any thoughts???

Mike -

It sounds like it (though I still don't know how I missed the no dining package info on the Blog today), sadly.

You know, in the e-mail I received with the link to the AP/CP page on the DLR site (which was not there when I checked earlier today), it said nothing about dining packages. It only mentioned that AP holders could enter the contest and be chosen in a random draw. More details will be available one week from today (can they drag it out any longer?).

I was going to go for one of the Kurt Russell nights, but the chances of being chosen in the AP lottery are going to be so slim that I doubt I'd be picked. I would imagine that the Dick Van Dyke nights are going to be in hot, hot demand.

And what will end up happening is that a lot of AP people will sign up for 5 or 6 guests (whatever the maximum is that is allowed), and if they get chosen then all those seats will be blocked off even if all 5 or 6 people don't attend.

I'm just going to sign up/enter the contest for one. I probably won't get picked, but I'm not going for the 5 or 6 people route. I just need one seat!

 

[Priory]

This is extremely disappointing. We booked an entire trip to see candlelight. We did this because the parks blog kept advertising that even if you couldn't get a free AP seat, you could buy a dining package. Now it sounds like I have a very slim chance of getting in to see the event. There's a lot of bah humbug at the Disneyland resort these days. First they put coal into the cast member's stockings and now ours.

 

[focusondisney]

Well, I am the poster who originally was told abt the Ultimate Tour package from Vacation Planning. I was called by them earlier today & told : The Ultimate Holiday Tour will only be offered for Dec 1 & 2! Not offered any other days.


Not real happy with how Disney is handling things. No information about the CP til the last minute, cast members giving out wrong tour information, guests with certain passes being put thru extra scrutiny, can't get tickets for the 6 days we'll be there unless we pay extra for a single day. Yes, I know DL is a "local" park, but as someone flying across the country to come to their park & stay at their resort, I'm not thinking they value my business at all.

I spoke to Vacation Planning weeks ago. Made our dining plans & told them the tours we wanted booked. CM said "we should have no problem getting them. We'll book at 30 days out," Guess what?? They didn't get the Walk in Walt's Footsteps Tour..... sold out. And they didn't even tell me; I had to ask when I called.

We'll come to DL & have a good time, but then, it's back to WDW for us!

 

[Escape2Disney]

I just got off the phone with the tour dept. at Disney. They confirmed that the only tour/CP combo will be December 1st and 2nd. After that, it's Club 33 members and AP holders. Since I won't have an AP until after our trip, I won't be seeing the show. I know there is a standing section, but it's hard to be in that chaos in a wheelchair/scooter (not a great view if you know what I mean). We'll have to try again next year.

 

[focusondisney]

Sorry you won't be seeing it. I won't even attempt to stand with what will probably be a mob scene And I don't even need a scooter.

 

[Sherry E]

I'm not real happy with the way Disney is handling this CP situation either, focusondisney. Sigh.

First of all, I can't believe that they are only offering the Ultimate package for 12/1 & 12/2 and no other CP ceremony!?

And if Club 33 people are also going to have a crack at getting seats on the other nights when the AP holders may or may not 'win' seats, the AP holders have even less of a shot at seats.

I walked by the CP area last year - a couple of times - and looked right at the empty chairs waiting to be filled by invitation-only guests. There were not many. There is just not enough room in that location to add in a lot of seats. So the people who get chosen in this crazy lottery will really be few and far between, I think.

Of course, yes, we could all stand there and view the CP from afar - one of the people who commented on the Blog suggested that. But unless it is 'organized standing' - in other words, a designated location or spot for people who signed up and registered to stand - then it will just be a free-for-all/get to the right place at the right time sort of situation...and that's what causes all of the crowds every year for the invitation-only events.

It just seems to me that this CP information (about the 20 nights) should have never been announced in August. Until Disney had it all figured out exactly how they were doing the whole thing, and unless they were going to be crystal clear up front in telling everyone exactly what the chances of seeing the CP would be (making it clear up front that AP people may or may not get to see it and that there would be no dining packages, no Ultimate on any night beyond 12/2, etc.), it wasn't worth even bringing it up and getting people's hopes up. They made it sound like, "Hey, isn't this great? We're expanding the CP to 20 nights so everyone can see it," when, really, that's not exactly the situation.

 

[Escape2Disney]

I'm not real happy with the way Disney is handling this CP situation either, focusondisney. Sigh.

First of all, I can't believe that they are only offering the Ultimate package for 12/1 & 12/2 and no other CP ceremony!?

And if Club 33 people are also going to have a crack at getting seats on the other nights when the AP holders may or may not 'win' seats, the AP holders have even less of a shot at seats.

I walked by the CP area last year - a couple of times - and looked right at the empty chairs waiting to be filled by invitation-only guests. There were not many. There is just not enough room in that location to add in a lot of seats. So the people who get chosen in this crazy lottery will really be few and far between, I think.

Of course, yes, we could all stand there and view the CP from afar - one of the people who commented on the Blog suggested that. But unless it is 'organized standing' - in other words, a designated location or spot for people who signed up and registered to stand - then it will just be a free-for-all/get to the right place at the right time sort of situation...and that's what causes all of the crowds every year for the invitation-only events.

It just seems to me that this CP information (about the 20 nights) should have never been announced in August. Until Disney had it all figured out exactly how they were doing the whole thing, and unless they were going to be crystal clear up front in telling everyone exactly what the chances of seeing the CP would be (making it clear up front that AP people may or may not get to see it and that there would be no dining packages, no Ultimate on any night beyond 12/2, etc.), it wasn't worth even bringing it up and getting people's hopes up. They made it sound like, "Hey, isn't this great? We're expanding the CP to 20 nights so everyone can see it," when, really, that's not exactly the situation.

Bingo! Well said. It's a a bait and switch. People get excited about this show, thinking they can buy their way into a seat, only to be told they have no chance if they don't pony up a load of cash for an annual pass. Even with that pass, chances are slim you'll get a seat.

My daughter made a good point. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of disabled people who flock to the parks daily.. They are all but excluded from this event because joining the hordes of people pushing and shoving for a spot to watch it by standing on the sidelines. Even fantasmic has handicap viewing areas. Will they do that for CP?