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

[rentayenta]

In any case, even when DL does close early, DCA stays open! So it will all be good, any way it works out!

I agree with this. While 6 pm is pretty early, DCA and DTD as well as the beautiful hotels are open. 8 pm closing is perfect for me. It gives us time to shop and stroll and snack and still be asleep by 10:30ish and have enough rest to rope drop. I am going to be the best old person ever!

 

[areweindisneyyet]

I agree with this. While 6 pm is pretty early, DCA and DTD as well as the beautiful hotels are open. 8 pm closing is perfect for me. It gives us time to shop and stroll and snack and still be asleep by 10:30ish and have enough rest to rope drop. I am going to be the best old person ever!

Rentayenta you make me laugh.

Off for my nanna nap and then me thinks it is time to do some baking...

Gingerbread seems good....

It is very cold and wet at my place today so it is just perfect for Christmas treats and since I wont be home to make them in December I guess it is OK to make them now.

I get to start making dining reservations next week ...

 

[DisneyMomof2inSLC]

Did the CM you talked to specifically say that the CM parties would be held on other nights, or did he/she just say that Disneyland is open until 9 p.m.?

Hi Sherry! She didn't say anything about the when the parties will be. I'm wondering if anyone calls next week for priority seating, if they will have different hours for the 12th and 13th? Guess we just have to wait and see!
I'm really excited either way! This is my first Holiday season trip and December 6th is my birthday!

 

[jacs1234]

I just made all my dining reservations today, had to change a couple of things by about 20 minutes here and there and the blue bayou was booked on the Saturday night but I got it on the Sunday night instead. I also asked the cm about the 5th and was told it closes at 9, I specifically asked about the cm parties but can you believe I can't remember what she said about it (doh)

 

[NewbieMouse]

Hi Sherry! She didn't say anything about the when the parties will be. I'm wondering if anyone calls next week for priority seating, if they will have different hours for the 12th and 13th? Guess we just have to wait and see!
I'm really excited either way! This is my first Holiday season trip and December 6th is my birthday!

I'll be calling next week for the 12th, so I'll be sure to ask...

 

[Sherry E]

Rentayenta you make me laugh.

Off for my nanna nap and then me thinks it is time to do some baking...

Gingerbread seems good....

It is very cold and wet at my place today so it is just perfect for Christmas treats and since I wont be home to make them in December I guess it is OK to make them now.

I get to start making dining reservations next week ...

Mia -

You reminded me to post a bit of info here when you mentioned gingerbread. I had posted about this in the Halloween thread and then completely neglected to mention it here, of all places!

​

Okay - about these gingerbread cookies with mouse ears (I took this picture on 9/16 this year):

Personally, I have always associated these cookies and anything made of gingerbread with Autumn/Halloween and especially Winter/the holiday season. I do not associate gingerbread with Spring or Summer in my mind. Gingerbread is very tied in with Halloween Time and Christmas Time. Granted, DLR's Fall season treats tend to roll out as soon as their Summer season ends - which could be in late August or early September - but still, at least the gingerbread is tied in with the Fall...even if it's a tad early.

BUT, a couple of DIS'ers had reportedly seen these same cookies in DLR at other times of year that were not Fall and Winter! Someone said they saw the cookies in - now hold on to your hats - May. Someone said they saw the cookies in June.

Oh, the horror of it all. It was madness. These beloved chocolate-dipped gingerbread cookies with ears were suddenly running wild in Disneyland Resort.

I began to wonder if people were confusing the shortbread 'impostor' cookies for being gingerbread. This photo is courtesy of AmericanItGirl, in the Dining thread:

Cutest cookies I've ever seen:

As you can see, these evil doppelgangers in the photo above are made from the same exact mold as the gingerbread cookies, they are basically the same size and shape, and they are made to look like the gingerbread cookies, with buttons and all. They're like....gingerbread men with ears lite! They are like...gingerbread men with ears...on vacation! Except for the very important fact remains - they are not gingerbread cookies, made from gingerbread.

Could it be that the cookies people reported to be gingerbread were actually shortbread (or even sugar cookies), and they were confused by the shape of them, and the buttons?


Well, I decided to get to the bottom of this cookie mystery. When I was at DLR 5 days ago (this past Monday) for another day of Halloween Time fun, I marched myself into the Candy Palace and asked the nice CM behind the counter about these cookies and exactly when they become available at DLR. Could there be any truth to the rumor that they can be found in...gulp....May?


I pointed to the actual gingerbread cookies in the case and explained to the CM. She said that they (the Candy Palace) had just gotten the cookies in a couple of weeks ago, in time for the Halloween season. They don't get them any sooner than that, and most of the places around DLR who sell those specific cookies will not have them until Summer season at DLR ends and Halloween season begins.

BUT - this Candy Palace CM also told me that she thinks a couple of other places around DLR (and that could include DCA and DL) have started to carry the cookies at other times of year than just Fall or Winter. She couldn't remember which places - there were only a couple, and they had only just started to sell the cookies year-round in 2011, I think - but they had them before Fall this year.

So I am guessing that the DIS'ers who reported seeing the gingerbread men with ears in Spring or early Summer must have gone into either of these lone shops the Candy Palace CM mentioned.

And here is the real news - the Candy Palace CM told me that DLR is planning to sell the actual gingerbread cookies year-round in all the shops where they would normally be sold....AS OF 2012!!! She said the cookies are so popular and so many people ask about them that DLR is trying to work on making them available year-round as of next year (conveniently, just in the nick of time for all the masses to descend upon a shiny new version of DCA, Cars Land, etc. - when all kinds of changes are happening).

So - even though I think it's blasphemy to sell gingerbread cookies during non-Halloween or non-holiday seasons - it looks like the gingerbread cookies with mouse ears dipped in chocolate will soon be sharing shelf space with their shortbread counterparts all year long. Coming soon to a candy or baked goods shop in DLR near you!

Hi Sherry! She didn't say anything about the when the parties will be. I'm wondering if anyone calls next week for priority seating, if they will have different hours for the 12th and 13th? Guess we just have to wait and see!
I'm really excited either way! This is my first Holiday season trip and December 6th is my birthday!

DisneyMomof2inSLC -

You will have a great time! Seeing the holiday season at DLR for the first time is magical, and especially on your birthday!

I just made all my dining reservations today, had to change a couple of things by about 20 minutes here and there and the blue bayou was booked on the Saturday night but I got it on the Sunday night instead. I also asked the cm about the 5th and was told it closes at 9, I specifically asked about the cm parties but can you believe I can't remember what she said about it (doh)

jacs1234 -

Oh no! You asked about the parties and you don't remember the answer! You don't remember if she said the parties were on different dates? Or maybe she said they don't know the party dates yet??

I'll be calling next week for the 12th, so I'll be sure to ask...

NewbieMouse -

Sounds like a plan! Let us know what you hear! So, from what it's looking like right now, the CM parties could possibly fall during your trip, Newbie!

Somehow, until we actually have a CM go on record and say that the CM parties are being held on 12/12 and 12/13 this year (or some other dates that are not 12/5 and 12/6), I won't be certain of when the parties are or are not happening. Schedules can always change.

I have to call the Special Activities office back again about my reservation in the next couple of days, so of course I will ask them again too, but since they didn't know the party dates within the last week I don't know if I will get anywhere.


I think I am pretty much in the clear if the CM parties are held on 12/12 and 12/13 this year. If I keep the same dates that I have booked (11/28 - 12/5), I will avoid them. If I move my trip dates over by a few days and start it on 12/2 - which is looking more likely - I will still totally miss the party days if they happen on 12/12 and 12/13.

But if the parties DO end up happening on 12/5 and 12/6 after all, it's possible I could run into the CM parties...again.

Ah well, whatever way it works out, it will be fine and I will just roll with it. I am old and tired and should probably be in bed at 6 p.m. anyway.

 

[rentayenta]

Rentayenta you make me laugh.

Off for my nanna nap and then me thinks it is time to do some baking...

Gingerbread seems good....

It is very cold and wet at my place today so it is just perfect for Christmas treats and since I wont be home to make them in December I guess it is OK to make them now.

I get to start making dining reservations next week ...

I love gingerbread! It is a perfect gingerbread making day. It's rainy and cold here too. It's Yom Kippur and we just got back from services. I shouldn't be on the comp necessarily but the kids are on the Wii, DH is watching college ball, so I thought: why not?! Back to services tonight though and then DH and I are going on a date. Maybe we'll do a little holiday shopping too.

 

[merrrydeath]

I'm all booked for December 10th-14th at... the GRAND CALIFORNIAN!!! I'm squealing every time I think about it. This girl has only ever stayed in $59/night rooms when going to Disneyland... which is FINE. It means that I can go often, but oh man oh man I know that I will love staying at The Grand for 4 nights. I side-tracked my mom through the hotel on our most recent trip and she fell in love. So much that she insisted we stay there for our Christmas trip.

Now, going in to it, I knew that CM parties were a possibility for 2 out of our 3 days but I figure it just means that we wait and have dinner in Downtown Disney after the park closes, or end our nights in DCA, OR just enjoy the luxury of our hotel. So I'm not too worried about the possible short hours.

HOWEVER my question is, can anyone confirm if they still run the holiday tour on the days with CM parties? We would really like to do the holiday tour again and want to know our options for days we will have that available. Thanks!

 

[Sherry E]

I'm all booked for December 10th-14th at... the GRAND CALIFORNIAN!!! I'm squealing every time I think about it. This girl has only ever stayed in $59/night rooms when going to Disneyland... which is FINE. It means that I can go often, but oh man oh man I know that I will love staying at The Grand for 4 nights. I side-tracked my mom through the hotel on our most recent trip and she fell in love. So much that she insisted we stay there for our Christmas trip.

Now, going in to it, I knew that CM parties were a possibility for 2 out of our 3 days but I figure it just means that we wait and have dinner in Downtown Disney after the park closes, or end our nights in DCA, OR just enjoy the luxury of our hotel. So I'm not too worried about the possible short hours.

HOWEVER my question is, can anyone confirm if they still run the holiday tour on the days with CM parties? We would really like to do the holiday tour again and want to know our options for days we will have that available. Thanks!

Hi, Meredith!

I'm so excited for you that you're staying at GCH in December!

I must admit - even though I really prefer the actual rooms at the PPH more than the ones at the GCH, and even though I will still go and plant myself down in one of those comfy chairs or sofas in the GCH lobby to listen to holiday music, soak in the holiday atmosphere and all of that, there is something extra special about being able to stay at the GCH during the season. I can't explain it. I could go the entire rest of the year and not need to stay at the GCH, but for some reason, during the holiday season I feel like I want to stay there (and yet, have not done it since 12/2007).

I wasn't even that crazy about the GCH rooms (not enough space for my taste), and yet I feel like I want to stay there in December!! I don't know why. There is just some sort of magnetic pull to the GCH in November and December, and simply relaxing in the lobby doesn't seem to be enough for me! But...I will be at the PPH and I am very happy with that too. (PPH has a gorgeous Christmas tree, all aglow in blue-green lights and jewel tone ornaments - make sure to pop in and see it)!


As for the tour - I am fairly positive DL does it on CM party days, BUT I'm not sure if they might only do one tour on those days, or if they can squeeze in 2 tours. That's the area where I am foggy.

They may not do the tour that would normally begin in the 3 o'clock or 4 o'clock hour on the CM party dates, because you're supposed to end your tour with a ride on IASW Holiday (when it's all lit up), I think. And DL will only stay open to the public for a very short time after those IASW Holiday lights come on (which is, I think, at around 5:15 p.m., from what we were told last year). But maybe the timing will work out perfectly so that the late afternoon tour wraps up just in time for a dusk ride on IASWH before the park closes at 6 p.m. It could happen. It would be a tight squeeze time-wise, but it is possible.

At the very least, I am certain that DL will have an earlier afternoon tour on the CM party days. They have to time it around the parade schedule, too, since the parade is part of the tour, and there is an earlier afternoon parade.

 

[dwheatl]

We're staying at one of the $59 a night places, and I'm happy to get it. Each of my adult kids is bringing their significant other, so it's just more comfortable/less awkward to have 3 rooms. Since we're going the week of Thanksgiving, but before the holiday, I don't think the hotels will be decorated yet anyway.
The time is quickly approaching, and man do we need this trip. The day after I booked it, my mom went into the hospital w/heart attack/pneumonia, and passed away 4 days later. We are all heartsick and shell-shocked, but looking forward to family time at a place both my parents loved.

 

[Jillchristina]

We're staying at one of the $59 a night places, and I'm happy to get it. Each of my adult kids is bringing their significant other, so it's just more comfortable/less awkward to have 3 rooms. Since we're going the week of Thanksgiving, but before the holiday, I don't think the hotels will be decorated yet anyway.
The time is quickly approaching, and man do we need this trip. The day after I booked it, my mom went into the hospital w/heart attack/pneumonia, and passed away 4 days later. We are all heartsick and shell-shocked, but looking forward to family time at a place both my parents loved.

Danielle,

I'm so very sorry to hear about your mom. I sincerely hope that the DL vacation with your family is a healing, relaxing time for you all and that you can celebrate your mom together.

Jill

 

[merrrydeath]

Hi, Meredith!

I'm so excited for you that you're staying at GCH in December!

I must admit - even though I really prefer the actual rooms at the PPH more than the ones at the GCH, and even though I will still go and plant myself down in one of those comfy chairs or sofas in the GCH lobby to listen to holiday music, soak in the holiday atmosphere and all of that, there is something extra special about being able to stay at the GCH during the season. I can't explain it. I could go the entire rest of the year and not need to stay at the GCH, but for some reason, during the holiday season I feel like I want to stay there (and yet, have not done it since 12/2007).

I wasn't even that crazy about the GCH rooms (not enough space for my taste), and yet I feel like I want to stay there in December!! I don't know why. There is just some sort of magnetic pull to the GCH in November and December, and simply relaxing in the lobby doesn't seem to be enough for me! But...I will be at the PPH and I am very happy with that too. (PPH has a gorgeous Christmas tree, all aglow in blue-green lights and jewel tone ornaments - make sure to pop in and see it)!


As for the tour - I am fairly positive DL does it on CM party days, BUT I'm not sure if they might only do one tour on those days, or if they can squeeze in 2 tours. That's the area where I am foggy.

They may not do the tour that would normally begin in the 3 o'clock or 4 o'clock hour on the CM party dates, because you're supposed to end your tour with a ride on IASW Holiday (when it's all lit up), I think. And DL will only stay open to the public for a very short time after those IASW Holiday lights come on (which is, I think, at around 5:15 p.m., from what we were told last year). But maybe the timing will work out perfectly so that the late afternoon tour wraps up just in time for a dusk ride on IASWH before the park closes at 6 p.m. It could happen. It would be a tight squeeze time-wise, but it is possible.

At the very least, I am certain that DL will have an earlier afternoon tour on the CM party days. They have to time it around the parade schedule, too, since the parade is part of the tour, and there is an earlier afternoon parade.

Thanks for your input, Sherry! We definitely are very excited. I'm reading the huuge GCH super thread to prepare. The only reason I thought the CM parties could be an issue with the tour is because there was a thread last year where everyone was posting the days they reserved their tour for, and not a soul said they were going on either CM party day. It just got me thinking. They were the only 2 days in a row in December that no one was going on a tour.

 

[dwheatl]

Danielle,

I'm so very sorry to hear about your mom. I sincerely hope that the DL vacation with your family is a healing, relaxing time for you all and that you can celebrate your mom together.

Jill

Thanks, Jill.

 

[areweindisneyyet]

Hours and park schedule up to 21 November

Happy planning.

 

[jernysgirl]

It's Monday......... where's Sherry? I am not-so-patiently waiting for the new theme!

Plus, I am just excited as we leave in exactly one month from today!

 

[jemilah]

me too I cant wait

 

[Sherry E]

I'm here! I don't know if it's just my old computer, my Internet connection or a problem with the DIS and the DIS' servers, but I am going out of my mind trying to get onto this board. Sometimes the pages/threads/forums take forever to load/open. I have a hunch it is a server issue with the DIS because I am not having this specific issue on other sites. But I am quickly losing my patience. It makes it very hard for me to get on and post the theme/countdown or any comments!

BUT! I have not lost my holiday spirit! I am working on the countdown/theme right now, so everyone hang in there!

I was going to go with one theme that I have been hatching for weeks, but that will require a bit more work on my end in scraping together my photos to set up the theme. I think that one will have to wait until next Monday.

So I had to change themes at the last minute and start collecting photos for the new one. But as long as it's Monday and not Tuesday, I'm still within my time limit!

Here's a hint, though: It is going to be a 2-for-1 week. I am going to take what would have ordinarily been 2 separate themes and lump them together!! I am doing it for timing reasons - because I may not have enough weeks left to split up the 2 themes and still fit in other themes as well. But also, by lumping 2 themes together, it also gives more people the chance to find photos to post - it kind of widens the field a bit!

So stay tuned - new 2-for-1 theme is coming up soon!

​

Danielle -

I wanted to send you a . I remembered when you said not too long ago that it was the worst week of your life and that this thread helped to get your mind off of things, or cheer you up or something like that (I am paraphrasing). I didn't want to probe as to what was going on, but I knew it must be major, obviously. I'm so sorry to hear about what happened.

I'm very glad you're staying with us here, during this difficult time, and I do hope that this thread can bring some cheer to you.

 

[rentayenta]

Oh Sherry, we're waiting !!!! ​

 

[rentayenta]

Looks like we posted at the same time.

 

[areweindisneyyet]

It's Tuesday, here! It's OK I always get the new theme on Tuesday morning. It just makes Monday really long.

Sending positive vibes to your computer Sherry and sending lots of thanks for all he hard work and time you put into the weekly theme and the thread.


Hope the Halloween party was fun and that your holiday plans are firming up for your Christmas trip.

Waiting patiently
Mia