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

rentayenta · Sep 11, 2011

HETRICKL · Sep 11, 2011

I will be visiting from the Saturday after Thanksgiving, leaving the following Saturday.

I'm trying to rough out some plans for shows/dining...

Since I don't think Fantasmic will be showing except the weekend, I have to pick that.

Would you do Fantasmic on the Saturday after Thanksgiving (2nd show) or the Sunday after Thanksgiving (1st show)? Do you think there would be a big difference in crowds?

From there, I'll try to decide on doing the dessert reservation or not.

We won't do the parks on either day during the day, so tiredness is not a factor.

Thanks!

Sherry E · Sep 11, 2011

HETRICKL said:
I will be visiting from the Saturday after Thanksgiving, leaving the following Saturday.

I'm trying to rough out some plans for shows/dining...

Since I don't think Fantasmic will be showing except the weekend, I have to pick that.

Would you do Fantasmic on the Saturday after Thanksgiving (2nd show) or the Sunday after Thanksgiving (1st show)? Do you think there would be a big difference in crowds?

From there, I'll try to decide on doing the dessert reservation or not.

We won't do the parks on either day during the day, so tiredness is not a factor.

Thanks!

I think, if I were going to choose, I would probably go for Fantasmic on Sunday (first show). I think there will likely be a considerable drop-off in crowds between Saturday and Sunday night. Lots of folks will have returned home to get ready for work and school by Sunday afternoon. Saturday, I think, will still be full of Thanksgiving weekend visitors.

I could be totally wrong in my guess, but that's my warped logic!

Maybe some of our other DIS'ers will be able to weigh in, too?

rentayenta · Sep 11, 2011

Sherry E said:
I think, if I were going to choose, I would probably go for Fantasmic on Sunday (first show). I think there will likely be a considerable drop-off in crowds between Saturday and Sunday night. Lots of folks will have returned home to get ready for work and school by Sunday afternoon. Saturday, I think, will still be full of Thanksgiving weekend visitors.

I could be totally wrong in my guess, but that's my warped logic!

Maybe some of our other DIS'ers will be able to weigh in, too?

This is my logic as well and the reason we are starting the Disneyland portion of our trip on the Sunday following Thanksgiving vs the Saturday. People have work and school Monday so I'm thinking Sunday night might be slower as least as far as the local crowd goes.

Sherry E · Sep 11, 2011

rentayenta said:
I think you'll need to be logged into FB to see these. I know this isn't ideal but here goes:

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?...96041077013.2098148.1117416286&type=1&theater

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?...96041077013.2098148.1117416286&type=1&theater

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?...96041077013.2098148.1117416286&type=1&theater

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?...96041077013.2098148.1117416286&type=1&theater

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?...96041077013.2098148.1117416286&type=1&theater

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?...96041077013.2098148.1117416286&type=1&theater

Not holiday but fabulous just the same:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?...96041077013.2098148.1117416286&type=1&theater

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?...96041077013.2098148.1117416286&type=1&theater

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?...96041077013.2098148.1117416286&type=1&theater

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?...96041077013.2098148.1117416286&type=1&theater

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?...96041077013.2098148.1117416286&type=1&theater

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?...96041077013.2098148.1117416286&type=1&theater

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?...96041077013.2098148.1117416286&type=1&theater

I just tried to view all your photos in Facebook, and I guess you must have the album(s) set at private? Or maybe only certain folks can view them? I couldn't view any of them. I kept getting the "this album is unavailable" message.

rentayenta · Sep 11, 2011

Sherry E said:
I just tried to view all your photos in Facebook, and I guess you must have the album(s) set at private? Or maybe only certain folks can view them? I couldn't view any of them. I kept getting the "this album is unavailable" message.

Hmmm....... I'll make it public. :thumbsup2

BRB.

rentayenta · Sep 11, 2011

It's public. :goodvibes

socal wifey · Sep 11, 2011

Hi All!

If I could be in love with a thread, this would be the one :love:

DH and I will be going Thursday,December 22nd!

I'm preparing for heavy crowds, but hoping it may be a little better than I'm expecting since it will be the first blackout date in December?

Sherry E · Sep 11, 2011

socal wifey said:
Hi All!

If I could be in love with a thread, this would be the one

DH and I will be going Thursday,December 22nd!

I'm preparing for heavy crowds, but hoping it may be a little better than I'm expecting since it will be the first blackout date in December?

Hello there, socal wifey! Welcome! :santa:

I'm so glad you enjoy the thread - we have a lot of great contributors here, and I'm starting to notice more and more new folks are joining us now...which is absolutely wonderful! So, again, welcome welcome welcome! :cool1:

If all AP levels except for Premium are blacked out as of/after the 22nd (I know the Deluxe AP's usually get blacked out right around that time in December, and then on through the New Year), technically it means that Disneyland is expecting very, very large crowds. The AP's tend to be blocked during the busy times, and if it's a time when even Deluxe AP holders are blocked, then it will be really busy!

I know it would seem like it should be a time when crowds will dwindle because AP holders are blacked out, but considering that the weekend between Christmas and New Year's is blacked out to all but Premium AP holders and is still the busiest or second busiest week of the year, I think that it's more an issue of people getting off of work and school (vacationers and not really AP holders) who flock to the parks.

Is Thursday, December 22 going to be your only day in the parks? Will you have more than one day? If you have only one day, just go into it with the knowledge that it will be very busy - and plan plan plan! Make sure you have a list of the priorities, and then have a back-up list of things to do in case it's too crowded to do the first list! You will still have a wonderful time - I went on the weekend before Christmas for 3 years in a row and it was crowded, but fun - but if the crowds are heavy, it can be daunting. So it's good to go into it with the expectation that it will be crowded - and then anything less than what you imagine will be a welcome relief!!

Overall, it's really the best time of year to go just for the sheer magic of it all, so even a crowded day is better than no day - it just requires a bit more preparation!

Sherry E · Sep 11, 2011

rentayenta said:
It's public.

rentayenta -

I was able to view them! :cool1:

Were the window display photos from last year or another year? One of them looked similar to something I saw, and the other didn't look like anything I'd seen. I did miss a couple of window displays last year, so maybe it was among the ones I missed!

I think my favorite photo is the very last one - that particular scene/angle of IASW Holiday at night is just beautiful. Everyone must experience it at least one time - even if someone is not an IASW fan, I think this version of it is worth at least one ride!

Remember, now that Main Street theme week is coming to an end, we have a new theme beginning tomorrow! Theme Week #3! I got a million of them! Everyone will have to gather up their themed photos and start posting! Stay tuned for the big reveal of the next theme!! :idea:

(I can't wait for the inevitable week in which I pick a theme that none of us have any photos of at all! :rotfl2:

That will be a pretty sad theme week!!)

socal wifey · Sep 11, 2011

Sherry E said:
Hello there, socal wifey! Welcome! I'm so glad you enjoy the thread - we have a lot of great contributors here, and I'm starting to notice more and more new folks are joining us now...which is absolutely wonderful! So, again, welcome welcome welcome!

If all AP levels except for Premium are blacked out as of/after the 22nd (I know the Deluxe AP's usually get blacked out right around that time in December, and then on through the New Year), technically it means that Disneyland is expecting very, very large crowds. The AP's tend to be blocked during the busy times, and if it's a time when even Deluxe AP holders are blocked, then it will be really busy!

I know it would seem like it should be a time when crowds will dwindle because AP holders are blacked out, but considering that the weekend between Christmas and New Year's is blacked out to all but Premium AP holders and is still the busiest or second busiest week of the year, I think that it's more an issue of people getting off of work and school (vacationers and not really AP holders) who flock to the parks.

Is Thursday, December 22 going to be your only day in the parks? Will you have more than one day? If you have only one day, just go into it with the knowledge that it will be very busy - and plan plan plan! Make sure you have a list of the priorities, and then have a back-up list of things to do in case it's too crowded to do the first list! You will still have a wonderful time - I went on the weekend before Christmas for 3 years in a row and it was crowded, but fun - but if the crowds are heavy, it can be daunting. So it's good to go into it with the expectation that it will be crowded - and then anything less than what you imagine will be a welcome relief!!

Overall, it's really the best time of year to go just for the sheer magic of it all, so even a crowded day is better than no day - it just requires a bit more preparation!

Thank you so much for such a warm welcome and for all the info! This thread and this whole site has been such a wealth of information.

Well that makes sense, that if they AP's are blocked out that means they expect very high numbers in the park... which I've been trying to prepare for.

It will just be a one day trip on the 22nd. I have been making many lists on things to do, things to avoid, tips, etc. My game plan isn't to go on every ride (since that just wouldn't happen), but to take our time and hit our favorite rides, have a nice lunch, shop, eat goodies, and just take in all the Disneyland Christmastime beauty.

I do have two questions or anyone that may know, regarding shopping. I've heard so many different theories, I'm not sure if I should do most of the shopping when they are opening or closing. I've heard to do your shopping first since the crowds will be less (most tend to shop before closing?). If we do that, would we store our purchases in a locker, or is there a package check in? Also, if we buy balloons during the day and don't have a hotel to go back to, is there anyway we can store them somewhere... or do they sell balloons right up to closing time?

Thanks again for all the insight

rentayenta · Sep 11, 2011

Please call me Jenny :goodvibes

They are all from last year. I couldn't begin to say what windows- I have zero STM- too much fun during my undergrad :laughing:

I'm looking forward to next week's theme. I have a few Disneyland albums I can make public to share.

This is one of the best threads ever! :woohoo:

I hope you do a holiday treat theme.

Sherry E said:
rentayenta -

I was able to view them! Were the window display photos from last year or another year? One of them looked similar to something I saw, and the other didn't look like anything I'd seen. I did miss a couple of window displays last year, so maybe it was among the ones I missed!

I think my favorite photo is the very last one - that particular scene/angle of IASW Holiday at night is just beautiful. Everyone must experience it at least one time - even if someone is not an IASW fan, I think this version of it is worth at least one ride!

Remember, now that Main Street theme week is coming to an end, we have a new theme beginning tomorrow! Theme Week #3! I got a million of them! Everyone will have to gather up their themed photos and start posting! Stay tuned for the big reveal of the next theme!! (I can't wait for the inevitable week in which I pick a theme that none of us have any photos of at all! That will be a pretty sad theme week!!)

Sherry E · Sep 11, 2011

I must confess - even though I told myself I wasn't going to, I have been watching a lot of 9/11 stuff on TV this weekend, including 'real time' footage of the events of that horrible, awful day as they happened, and stories about the heroes of Flight 93, etc. I still cry when watching all of it now, as I did 10 years ago - except at the time, none of us around the country were sure of exactly what was happening, and now, of course, we know how the whole story 'ends,' and we know more about the personal stories of the victims and heroes.

But when I was watching these shows, I realized it never gets any easier to process - even 10 years later. There is just no way to take it all in and stay...sane, I guess. I have to turn it off after a while.

So.....it is an absolute joy and pleasure for me - and a great mood uplifter - to not only come to this thread and the Halloween thread and see what's new, or just to the DIS in general to chat with everyone! :grouphug:

socal wifey said:
Thank you so much for such a warm welcome and for all the info! This thread and this whole site has been such a wealth of information.

Well that makes sense, that if they AP's are blocked out that means they expect very high numbers in the park... which I've been trying to prepare for.

It will just be a one day trip on the 22nd. I have been making many lists on things to do, things to avoid, tips, etc. My game plan isn't to go on every ride (since that just wouldn't happen), but to take our time and hit our favorite rides, have a nice lunch, shop, eat goodies, and just take in all the Disneyland Christmastime beauty.

I do have two questions or anyone that may know, regarding shopping. I've heard so many different theories, I'm not sure if I should do most of the shopping when they are opening or closing. I've heard to do your shopping first since the crowds will be less (most tend to shop before closing?). If we do that, would we store our purchases in a locker, or is there a package check in? Also, if we buy balloons during the day and don't have a hotel to go back to, is there anyway we can store them somewhere... or do they sell balloons right up to closing time?

Thanks again for all the insight

You're very welcome! :goodvibes

Great questions about the shopping!

Hmmm...yes, tons of people do seem to pile into the shops on Main Street at night - not sure about the other shops around the parks. But the only problem I have with shopping in the morning for you, specifically, is that you will have only one day at DLR. If you spend your morning shopping, the line for things like IASW Holiday and Haunted Mansion Holiday will build quickly. I tend to think that the morning might be the best time to get on some of the rides you like, and to see some things around the parks before the crowds build, and save the shopping for the evening.

But I don't know - others here might have a different view of that and how you should handle the shopping?

As far as I know, you can either have your purchases sent to the Newsstand in DL, or bring them there yourself, and they will hold them until you leave. That's one way to avoid the lofty locker charge. I would have to assume that you could leave a balloon at the Newsstand as well? But I've seen some balloons sold at night in the past.

However, if you have jackets or anything else 'extra,' you may want to just go ahead and get a locker. I've used a locker a couple of times before. It gets the job done! :rotfl2:

rentayenta said:
Please call me Jenny They are all from last year. I couldn't begin to say what windows- I have zero STM- too much fun during my undergrad

I'm looking forward to next week's theme. I have a few Disneyland albums I can make public to share.

This is one of the best threads ever!

I hope you do a holiday treat theme.

I've seen Callie calling you Jenny here and there, but I wasn't sure if it was a green light for everyone to call you that! Some folks seem to be okay with certain people calling them by their names, and not okay if other people do it. :rotfl2:

Oh, I just might have a holiday treat theme planned for the upcoming weeks (not tomorrow's theme, though)!

I pretty much mapped it all out, which theme was going to fall on which Monday, all the way until the season begins on 11/14...and then I starting switching themes around and rearranging them! :rotfl2:

Tomorrow's theme was originally scheduled for a different week! :rotfl2:

Let's just say, there are lots of themes to go around - and in a couple of cases I will be doubling up and doing a sort of 2-for-1 theme week! :rotfl2:

There's no shortage of themes - the whole subject of DLR at Christmas time gives us a wealth of material!

socal wifey · Sep 11, 2011

Sherry E said:
I must confess - even though I told myself I wasn't going to, I have been watching a lot of 9/11 stuff on TV this weekend, including 'real time' footage of the events of that horrible, awful day as they happened, and stories about the heroes of Flight 93, etc. I still cry when watching all of it now, as I did 10 years ago - except at the time, none of us around the country were sure of exactly what was happening, and now, of course, we know how the whole story 'ends,' and we know more about the personal stories of the victims and heroes.

But when I was watching these shows, I realized it never gets any easier to process - even 10 years later. There is just no way to take it all in and stay...sane, I guess. I have to turn it off after a while.

So.....it is an absolute joy and pleasure for me - and a great mood uplifter - to not only come to this thread and the Halloween thread and see what's new, or just to the DIS in general to chat with everyone!

You're very welcome!

Great questions about the shopping!

Hmmm...yes, tons of people do seem to pile into the shops on Main Street at night - not sure about the other shops around the parks. But the only problem I have with shopping in the morning for you, specifically, is that you will have only one day at DLR. If you spend your morning shopping, the line for things like IASW Holiday and Haunted Mansion Holiday will build quickly. I tend to think that the morning might be the best time to get on some of the rides you like, and to see some things around the parks before the crowds build, and save the shopping for the evening.

But I don't know - others here might have a different view of that and how you should handle the shopping?

As far as I know, you can either have your purchases sent to the Newsstand in DL, or bring them there yourself, and they will hold them until you leave. That's one way to avoid the lofty locker charge. I would have to assume that you could leave a balloon at the Newsstand as well? But I've seen some balloons sold at night in the past.

However, if you have jackets or anything else 'extra,' you may want to just go ahead and get a locker. I've used a locker a couple of times before. It gets the job done!

Yes, I totally agree. I also told myself to not watch all the specials this weekend but I have watched some and always find myself crying. I lost my very close, dear cousin, KIA in Iraq, and I tend to link the two events together. It never gets any easier. Which is why I try to keep busy, and these boards are helping me out with that! :grouphug:

Thanks a million for helping me out, I really do appreciate it! You're completely right about the lines getting longer after opening. I didn't really factor that in before, great point!

Getting a locker would probably be best no matter what we end up buying, it'll be good to store snacks, water, and other essentials. That's great to know about the newsstand holding purchases, that will help out if we can't stuff something in a locker

Well I am definitely looking forward to the countdown, and being glued to this thread and the whole forum! Again, thank you :yay:

rentayenta · Sep 11, 2011

Sherry, I totally understand. DH is a firefighter and we have been watching and talking a ton about 9/11. We always do. I cry every year. As our children have gotten older, we've become a little descript with the details of DH's job, and they are understandng their father is an everyday hero. 9/11 was so monumental.

I was thinking about how many themes you could come up with. :hyper:

I won't guess but I'm excited.

2prettyprincesses · Sep 11, 2011

Thanks for the info!! I'll try and force the fam to go on HM and IASW!! I've been looking at all the photos and getting even more excited!! Can't wait till the next photo theme!

I do have a couple more questions though ( I told you I'll be coming up with more

) is the Santa line long?? If so, which is the least crowded. Like I said, I have two teens so I dont want to intrude on the little ones. Also does anyone know if they are going to still have the Phineas and Ferb parade during holiday season. I checked DCAs calendar but it won't allow me past Oct. Hoping one of you are in the know!!

kaffinito · Sep 11, 2011

Sherry E said:
[/CENTER]

Sherry E - Your photos are lovely! :goodvibes

I want to eat the cake and buy the Ghosts.

dwheatl · Sep 11, 2011

I just found this thread, and haven't had time to read it all. Wanted to throw in a couple of Main St. photos before the theme changes.

We're planning on going Mon.-Wed. before Thanksgiving.

Hope shots of the castle from Main St. aren't considered "cheating." Can't wait to go back and read everyone else's plans.

Scribble Kitty · Sep 11, 2011

I went last year for Christmas and had the most wonderful time! It was only the second time I had been to Disneyland, the first time being over 13 years ago. Now I've got another Christmas trip planned for November 17-19 at the Paradise Pier and I can't wait!

I was so excited last year, I didn't take many pictures. But I love looking through these ones.

lori123 · Sep 12, 2011

ukstitch said:
I had one last year and they're very similar (if not identical) to the ones shown here.

Thanks!!

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

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