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

[mrsmoore]

Thanks Sherry! That is funny, that exact thing happened to me when we were considering WDW for August. This was in February or so, and I saved a few offers, and they sent me an offer for those exact days at that exact hotel! I might try that, maybe even for half of the trip, just to have that experience!

 

[Sherry E]

Thanks Sherry! That is funny, that exact thing happened to me when we were considering WDW for August. This was in February or so, and I saved a few offers, and they sent me an offer for those exact days at that exact hotel! I might try that, maybe even for half of the trip, just to have that experience!

It can't hurt, right? I am not sure how far out Disneyland Resort would make their offer with the PIN code via e-mail. For example, if you tried that trick now for a December trip, they may not send you anything until October, if at all! Or they could send it tomorrow, for all I know!

In any case, I think they get 'worried' when they see that we aren't booking anything at the crazy rates they advertise on the DLR website. But they want to see how many people will book at those rates first, before throwing out the offer! Sneaky! Once they see we have not booked, they assume we have given up so they reel us in with the good rate! Very clever!

The $163 PPH rate I got last year was not given to a lot of people. When I booked it over the phone, the CM I spoke with had not even heard of it yet. No one else had used it. She actually had to pull up my name and existing guest account in the system to see that I had received that offer. She told me it was a 35% off rate. And when I called back about something else a month or so later, I asked the net CM I spoke to if more people had been receiving that offer and the CM said only a few had, but not many people at all. It was definitely an 'inside' offer based on the Saved Offers thing, not a widely publicized and widely received PIN code.

Oh, and something I noticed is that it definitely seems to help if you only specify one hotel when you do the Saved Offer, and not 2 or 3 hotels - at least for Disneyland (it might be different for WDW since there are so many hotels!). One other DIS'er specifically plugged in dates and rates for the GCH, and then shortly after got "The Offer" in an e-mail for something like 40% off! However, if I recall correctly, when another DIS'er entered in info for two hotels and saved them, I think the offer they received was not as good.

 

[Sherry E]

Hooray, we booked our stay at BWPPI. We don't land until 3:30PM at LAX, so might not be in the park until 12/26. Its going to be a surprise Christmas present for our three kids. Soooo excited to seetheir reaction and all of the Holiday decorations!

Would love for there to be some kind special so that we could stay onsite. Keeping my fingers crossed!

Kauinohea -

I forgot to say YAY! about making your reservations for your DLR holiday trip! I'm sure your kids will be so excited when they get there! Really, it is sensory overload - but in the best possible way! Be sure to get them some gingerbread cookies with mouse ears (if they are allowed to have treats) to celebrate the occasion, or perhaps some peppermint ice cream!

 

[Sherry E]

An interesting little observation about the holiday season dates for this year...I think Disney may actually not know what the start date for the season is yet! I was convinced that they must know way in advance - and maybe sometimes they do - but now I'm not sure if they have this year's holiday dates lined up yet. Here's why...

Does anyone else here get the AP holders magazine/newsletter called Backstage Pass? Well, there used to be 4 issues of this newsletter per year (even though some AP holders only received 2 or 3). Since I renewed my AP last November, I have not received a single Backstage Pass.

Today I received something called Backstage Pass/2011 - Special Edition Passholder Calendar/June - December.

Either this is going to be the new format for Backstage Pass (only a twice yearly publication) or this is a supplement to the regular thing.

In any case, there is a calendar in this BP that begins in June and goes all the way to December. It's got all the start dates for SOUNDsational Summer in June, HalloweenTime in September, the first night of Mickey's Halloween Party in September and all subsequent nights, the opening date for Star Tours and the Little Mermaid, etc.


...And then you get down to November. Excitedly I flipped the pages to November to find out the start of the holiday season. And there is NOTHING!

I am looking at November 11, and all it says is Veterans Day.

I am looking at November 18 and it is totally blank!!

On November 25, it says "Don't miss the Christmas Fantasy Parade during the Holiday at Disneyland Resort."

And on November 27 scared1 it says "'It's a Small World Holiday' debuted on this day in 1997 and returns as part of the Holidays at Disneyland Resort!"

So, basically, there is no mention of a start date for the holiday season at all. Just because they reference 11/25 and 11/27 for the Parade and IASWH doesn't mean that the season will start on 11/25 (let's hope not!).

But it is very interesting to note that both 11/11 and 11/18 are lacking any kind of "first day of holiday season" banner. This leads me to believe that the powers that be in the Planning/Events department are still trying to figure it out, and are going back and forth between 11/11 and 11/18. I have a feeling that if they knew for sure what the dates would be, it would have been listed on the calendar in this Backstage Pass.

 

[mvf-m11c]

That is very interesting to hear that the DLR has not announced the dates for the Holiday season. I would assume in the past history at DL during the Holiday season is the 2nd weekend of November. This will totally ruin my plans to go to DL during the Holiday season since I am planning on going the 2nd weekend of the Holiday season just like last year. To start it at after Thanksgiving makes sense, but it is good to stay at the same dates just like in the past. We'll just have to wait and see until DL announce the dates for the Holiday season.

I'm waiting to get my Backstage Pass Magazine so I can see what it means.

 

[McQueenofHrts]

Thanks Sherry E and mvf-m11c!

I loved the pictures! In fact, they were the things that FINALLY convinced my husband to stay onsite. I guess it will come down to the type of offer we can get, but it is good to know you can relax amongst the wonder of the GC holiday decorations and not get strange looks!

BTW Sherry E: I will be lurking on the Halloween thread too because we have been twice in the past during the Halloween season and love it. We hope to go again this year to celebrate my daughter's 5th birthday in October.

Alright back to Christmas talk again.. Ho! Ho! Ho!

 

[Sherry E]

I love all the pics! Thank you to everyone who's posting them, and to Sherry for organizing the thread.

I forgot to reply to this before.

emacat - thank you for the kind words and for following along with us here in this thread. I hope your upcoming DLR holiday trip will be exciting and magcal.

I did reply a page or two or three back about the Catalina Island question you had (regarding the free Catalina Express birthday boat ride). I have a thread about that offer in the Southern California section, too, with photos posted by other DIS'ers.

OK, so my "sneak off to Disneyland over the holidays" probably won't be happening. I was going to go as a chaperon with DS15's high school band trip, but now they are going to So. Cal the last weekend in October, and likely not to Disneyland (too costly). So probably no holiday visit this November/December. I am grateful I got to go last year.

PHXscuba

PHXscuba - Drat the luck! And not even a Halloween DLR trip because the band most likely will not be heading there! Well, this only means that you will likely have a bigger and better holiday DLR trip in the future - sneaking or no sneaking!

I'm glad you got to go last year and see what all the DLR holiday fuss was about (after I had talked it up so much)!

Bumping since I found this on the third page.

I'm hoping our next trip to Disneyland will be during the holidays.

We were there the first week of December 2008 and it was awesome!

SkRiderMom - Are you trying to get back to Disneyland for the holidays this year or sometime in the next couple of years? I agree - it is pretty awesome! Be sure to share some photos with us here if you can.

That is very interesting to hear that the DLR has not announced the dates for the Holiday season. I would assume in the past history at DL during the Holiday season is the 2nd weekend of November. This will totally ruin my plans to go to DL during the Holiday season since I am planning on going the 2nd weekend of the Holiday season just like last year. To start it at after Thanksgiving makes sense, but it is good to stay at the same dates just like in the past. We'll just have to wait and see until DL announce the dates for the Holiday season.

I'm waiting to get my Backstage Pass Magazine so I can see what it means.

Bret - Are you planning on going to DLR on 11/11 or 11/18?

You know what's funny - I was just talking to a friendly CM a few minutes ago (she's in that special office that I have to call to make my PPH reservations for Nov/Dec). Of course I asked her, "Do you have any inside scoop on the holiday season start date?"

The CM I spoke with replied and said - almost word for word - exactly what we tell people here on the DIS when the subject of the the holiday season start date comes up! It was so funny - when I heard her answer me, I thought, "Wow! At least I know we are giving the correct information when people ask, because she is repeating what we tell everyone else!"

She said, "From my experience, the holiday season really doesn't happen until after Thanksgiving. You will start to see decorations and things going up, little by little, as soon as November begins, but things don't get into full swing until after Thanksgiving and then everything is in full-blown Christmas mode by early December."

And that's exactly how it goes - some decorations begin to go up, a little bit at a time, right after Halloween (if not sooner), but the full array of decorations (such as at the 3 hotels and in Downtown Disney) don't appear until after Thanksgiving (and that includes some stuff at the Reindeer Round-Up too). And then there are still certain food items - like tamales, etc. - that don't become available until the beginning of December. Last year the popular Mickey snowmen popcorn buckets did not show up until early December!

So, really, I think this "official start date" is just something Disney picks at random so they have a set date on which to begin holiday entertainment - to open up IASW Holiday, turn on the Winter Castle's glowing icicle lights, start the Christmas Fantasy Parade and the Believe...In Holiday Magic Fireworks, the snow Main Street open the Round-Up, etc. But the season is not really considered by DLR to be in full swing until after Thanksgiving or early December! Fortunately, there are enough holiday treats/souvenirs/decorations, etc. available on the season 'start date' to make it worthwhile.

At this point, it seems like no one knows if we are looking at an 11/11 or 11/18 season kick-off!! Another reason, perhaps, why they may not know anything yet is if there are any changes in store for this year - like any new events or highlights of the holiday season that we don't know about yet. If they alter the usual routine at all at DLR, that could affect season dates too.

Thanks Sherry E and mvf-m11c!

I loved the pictures! In fact, they were the things that FINALLY convinced my husband to stay onsite. I guess it will come down to the type of offer we can get, but it is good to know you can relax amongst the wonder of the GC holiday decorations and not get strange looks!

BTW Sherry E: I will be lurking on the Halloween thread too because we have been twice in the past during the Halloween season and love it. We hope to go again this year to celebrate my daughter's 5th birthday in October.

Alright back to Christmas talk again.. Ho! Ho! Ho!

McQueenofHrts - You're welcome...and thank you! I'm glad the photos were helpful in convincing your husband! I hope you are able to get a good offer.

Oh, feel free to lurk away on the Halloween thread any time! Actually, I have a hunch that many - if not most - of the thread followers on the Halloween Superthread probably also visit this Christmas thread, and vice versa. We Disneyland fans love our holidays, whether it's Halloween or Christmas!

You will definitely not get strange looks for enjoying the GCH lobby during the holiday season. I would be shocked if all of the people who congregate in that lobby are actually guests there.

When you look at the set-ups of the 3 different hotels and where they each place their Christmas trees, where the carolers perform at each hotel, etc., you will see that the GCH is the one that most lends itself to people simply settling down in a nice, comfy chair and enjoying the ambiance. The PPH tree - while gorgeous in person - does not have an area for sitting down around the tree. The DLH has different trees in different towers, and a couple of them have chairs nearby, but...it's not quite as inviting nor is it in the thick of the action.

The GCH is something entirely different - not only are there all kinds of chairs and sofas right next to the giant tree in the lobby/lounge, just beckoning people to sit down and relax, but I have even seen people curl up on the floor (carpet) in front of the tree when the carolers come in to sing. I've seen grown men reclining on the couch, falling asleep or happily tipsy with drink in hand. I've seen people enjoying snacks, chatting with each other (friends and strangers alike), playing games and laughing as they try to pose their families 'just so' with the GCH Santa. I've seen young couples deep in conversation by the fireplace, holding hands. Everyone is in a jovial mood. The pianist plays Christmas music for a while. Then when she (or he) takes a break, the guitarist by the fire takes over. And then the carolers come in and take requests.

You just don't get that same kind of experience in the PPH or the DLH, although, back in the day the DLH used to be really festive during the season (when it had Candy Cane Lane). It's definitely worth a look - I suggest taking a stroll around all 3 hotels to check out the different decorations - but the GCH is the place where the Christmas spirit and mood seem to really be obvious!

 

[mvf-m11c]

Bret - Are you planning on going to DLR on 11/11 or 11/18?

You know what's funny - I was just talking to a friendly CM a few minutes ago (she's in that special office that I have to call to make my PPH reservations for Nov/Dec). Of course I asked her, "Do you have any inside scoop on the holiday season start date?"

The CM I spoke with replied and said - almost word for word - exactly what we tell people here on the DIS when the subject of the the holiday season start date comes up! It was so funny - when I heard her answer me, I thought, "Wow! At least I know we are giving the correct information when people ask, because she is repeating what we tell everyone else!"

She said, "From my experience, the holiday season really doesn't happen until after Thanksgiving. You will start to see decorations and things going up, little by little, as soon as November begins, but things don't get into full swing until after Thanksgiving and then everything is in full-blown Christmas mode by early December."

And that's exactly how it goes - some decorations begin to go up, a little bit at a time, right after Halloween (if not sooner), but the full array of decorations (such as at the 3 hotels and in Downtown Disney) don't appear until after Thanksgiving (and that includes some stuff at the Reindeer Round-Up too). And then there are still certain food items - like tamales, etc. - that don't become available until the beginning of December. Last year the popular Mickey snowmen popcorn buckets did not show up until early December!

So, really, I think this "official start date" is just something Disney picks at random so they have a set date on which to begin holiday entertainment - to open up IASW Holiday, turn on the Winter Castle's glowing icicle lights, start the Christmas Fantasy Parade and the Believe...In Holiday Magic Fireworks, the snow Main Street open the Round-Up, etc. But the season is not really considered by DLR to be in full swing until after Thanksgiving or early December! Fortunately, there are enough holiday treats/souvenirs/decorations, etc. available on the season 'start date' to make it worthwhile.

At this point, it seems like no one knows if we are looking at an 11/11 or 11/18 season kick-off!! Another reason, perhaps, why they may not know anything yet is if there are any changes in store for this year - like any new events or highlights of the holiday season that we don't know about yet. If they alter the usual routine at all at DLR, that could affect season dates too.

I was planning on going to DL on the 2nd weekend of the Holiday season at DL this year. But that might change if the Holiday decorations and events are not playing during that time, I might have to push back my visit. I mostly go to DL during December during my birthday, but with a WDW trip during that time, the next possible option for me to go to DL is during the 2nd weekend of the Holiday season. I don't like going during after Thanksgiving weekend since it will have above average to high crowds on that weekend. Just like last year when I went to DL during the 2nd weekend, I am considering going that weekend again with the low crowds and a couple of weeks off until I head to WDW. After reading your post that DL doesn't have the dates for the Holiday season, I am reconsidering what days I want to go. The days that I am considering is going during the CP. But right now, I have not booked anything until I find out when the Holiday season starts. Until it gets closer to the Holiday season, I will book my visit during the 2nd weekend of the Holiday season or the first weekend of December. If I book the 1st weekend of December, I will be in WDW in just about 5 days. Got to get everything pack again for that trip.

As you already know, I have to go to DL during the Holiday season. It's the best time for me to go to DL with all the Holiday decorations up and the fireworks/parade. As long as the park is decorated and have the parade/fireworks, I have no problem what days to go during the Holiday season except during Christmas Eve to New Years. I just don't want to go to DL when they don't have all of these activities during my visit.

 

[McQueenofHrts]

Sherry E, Anyone ever tell you that you should work for the marketing department at Disney? Just saying..

 

[areweindisneyyet]

Seven months and I will be back at Disneyland with Christmas Carols in my ear and Christmas treats in my tummy.

I wonder what magical treats Disney will have in store this year?

 

[lori123]

I am so excited to be planning our first trip to Disney during the Christmas season! We have always gone off season - to the land (usually Jan/Feb) and the World Sept/Oct. We don't care too much for the crowds but figured it would be worth it for Christmas! We are thinking of the 11th-19th. I haven't done much research on that time frame yet - but am expecting the crowds and fun to be in full swing! OK - now I am off to read all the amazing info you all have posted so far!!!

 

[areweindisneyyet]

A bump from page 3.

 

[SkRiderMom]

Thought I'd give the thread a bump. Our tentative plans are to go to Disneyland in early December 2012. Here are a few pics from our 2008 visit.

Main Street at closing Mon. Dec 8, 2008

Snow in New Orleans Square

More Snow in New Orleans Square

 

[simbalion74]

DSCN2840 by simbalion74, on Flickr

DSCN2830 by simbalion74, on Flickr

DSCN2829 by simbalion74, on Flickr

DSCN2827 by simbalion74, on Flickr

 

[LittleBlackRaincloud]

Hi Hi everyone!

I'm planning on taking the whole family for their first trip Dec 11-15. We are a family of five. DH, myself DS-4, DS-3, and DD-11 months. I've loved looking at all of the pictures.

Can you all please refresh my memory on what is all happening at reindeer roundup? I know Santa and the reindeer are there, but don't they have crafts and/or cookie decorating there also? Does Big Thunder BBQ do anything special in conjunction with it? What does it cost to do these things? I've loved looking at the pictures of it. Thanks so much!

 

[areweindisneyyet]

What I really love about Disneyland at Christmas is that it appeals to all of your senses.

I hear it in the carols and music being piped through the park,

I see it in the beautiful decorations that adorn the park and in the costumes of characters and cast members.

I feel it all around me, their is an extra sense of magic, and a special happiness in each and every step, I feel it when the snow falling lands on my head,

I smell it with gingerbread baking, and peppermint canes, and the chill in the air and

I taste it with all the magical christmas treats, pumpkin, cinnamon, peppermint, gingerbread.

As it gets colder here on the otherside of the world I am so looking forward to a very long winter and seeing it snow on the castle for Christmas.

I Love Christmas at Disneyland.

 

[Sherry E]

This needs a big ol' bump!

 

[LittleBlackRaincloud]

Hi Hi everyone!

I'm planning on taking the whole family for their first trip Dec 11-15. We are a family of five. DH, myself DS-4, DS-3, and DD-11 months. I've loved looking at all of the pictures.

Can you all please refresh my memory on what is all happening at reindeer roundup? I know Santa and the reindeer are there, but don't they have crafts and/or cookie decorating there also? Does Big Thunder BBQ do anything special in conjunction with it? What does it cost to do these things? I've loved looking at the pictures of it. Thanks so much!

I thought you all were the Disneyland Christmas experts. Sorry to invade the thread. I hope we all have a wonderful trip, and I've found my info.

Happy planning to all of you.

 

[Sherry E]

I thought you all were the Disneyland Christmas experts. Sorry to invade the thread. I hope we all have a wonderful trip, and I've found my info.

Happy planning to all of you.

I'm so sorry about that, Heather! I can't believe that no one jumped in to answer! Please feel free to "invade" the thread anytime, as long as that means visiting and joining along with us in the discussion and planning fun!

During some weeks I am busier than others. Sometimes I have more time to spend on various threads such as this one, and other weeks I have less time...but usually there will be another Christmas 'expert' out there to jump in and tackle a question - sometimes 2 or 3 experts at a time. I don't know what happened this time.

In fact, I don't even think I got the e-mail subscription alert that you had posted a question...so I just popped in today at the end of the thread to bump it but I didn't look up to see who else had posted in the last few days.

Okay, so you said you got the answers for your Round-Up question. As far as I know, the cookie decorating moved to another location in DL - is that what you heard as well? I think things had to shift around when the BBQ opened.

I spent a good few hours in the Round-Up last December, taking photos of all the cute little details. I never made it into Santa's cabin, but that is hopefully on my list of things to do this year. There was so much to look at just outside, walking around - it's very rustic and countrified.

 

[LoveMyBeautifulGift]

Sigh...you just made me misty eyed and strengthened my conviction that we WILL DO DL for Chrismtas, lol...don't mind me...I've been going a little crazy the last few weeks /haven't got enough sleep and now I'm a little emotional bc my baby girl graduates kindy next week..we've been working on scrapping a yearbook for her teacher and looking back on everything they did and thinking about how much she has grown this year...sigh..anyway, just dropped in to remind myself of why I've been working so hard ....DL@Xmas...DL@Xmas...DL@Xmas...ahhh...now I can get through work tomorrow w/o
throttling someone , lol...

The GCH is something entirely different - not only are there all kinds of chairs and sofas right next to the giant tree in the lobby/lounge, just beckoning people to sit down and relax, but I have even seen people curl up on the floor (carpet) in front of the tree when the carolers come in to sing. I've seen grown men reclining on the couch, falling asleep or happily tipsy with drink in hand. I've seen people enjoying snacks, chatting with each other (friends and strangers alike), playing games and laughing as they try to pose their families 'just so' with the GCH Santa. I've seen young couples deep in conversation by the fireplace, holding hands. Everyone is in a jovial mood. The pianist plays Christmas music for a while. Then when she (or he) takes a break, the guitarist by the fire takes over. And then the carolers come in and take requests.