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

[Sherry E]

I called today to find out the first official day of the holiday tour and the CM told me 11/12, the Saturday before the official start of holidaytime. I got excited at first, but then after remembering the schedule, it still shows the Soundsational parade for the 12th/13th on DLR's calendar.

Weird, right? No way they can do the tour while it's still Soundsational, right? Would sort of defeat the purpose of preferred parade seating...

I suppose they could be updating the DLR calendar, but I would have hoped to book tomorrow, guess I can always call again tomorrow AM.

That's very interesting, indeed! You know, I could be wrong but it almost seems as though the Disney folks are referencing last year's calendar. Last year's holiday season began on 11/12. Hmmmm.... I wonder, if you call again on 10/14, you will get a different story, because they can only book the tours 30 days in advance and maybe that's when they will have the correct date in their system.

Although...IASW Holiday and the holiday fireworks are both supposed to be starting on 11/11, so maybe the parade will have begun by 11/12?? It's just weird that the official start date of the season is Monday, 11/14. What's the point if everything is running and open 2 or 3 days before that?

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Anyway, I can see that this week's 2-for-1 theme was a success! I don't think we've ever had so many contributions to a theme as we have this week! Thanks to everyone for sharing - I am amazed at the clarity and crispness of some of the photos provided by you all! The fireworks shots are amazing! (I've been viewing most of the photos from everyone through the links in the e-mail notifications!)

Don't worry about posting too many photos - there's no such thing! We love photos and they help pass the time in between bits of news or discussion! And don't worry if you have already posted them earlier in this thread - chances are that many folks have not gone back to the beginning of the thread to see what has already been posted, so it won't hurt to post them again.

I must confess - I have already been excitedly working on next Monday's theme! I can't wait to share it with you! I knew it was going to take some work to round up my own photos for this upcoming theme, which is why it has been delayed.

It is going to be another 2-for-1 theme week, and it could either be quite challenging for folks to scrounge up photos (which is why I have 9 million photos to post as back-up, in case no one else has any), OR it could bring out a wealth of photos. OR, people might have photos for one part of the theme but not the other part of it.

But whether you end up having any photos to share next Monday or just enjoy looking at what other people post, I have a feeling next week's theme will be a big success as well! It will be lots of fun!

 

[jacs1234]

I'm so excited yet impatient. The entertainment schedule is up for the 22nd of November and I need it from the 25th. Nearly there.

 

[nicolispicoli]

Good point Sherry, that would make sense!

I decided to just stick with the 14th anyway, it's a monday and hopefully will be a little more mellow than saturday and sunday, despite it being the official start date. Nothing like being dragged on a tour through huge crowds of people

 

[Disney-Kim]

All these wonderful pics...just can't wait to be there. We haven't been to DL in 3 yrs and WDW in almost 2 yrs...we need the Disney fix!!

 

[rentayenta]

I can't wait for the holiday treat theme.

 

[rentayenta]

I need a serious intervention. I have 46 days left, am listening to the Tiki Room on Live365, and plotting on how to get DH to agree to buying out the Hanukkah section at the World of Disney store in DTD.

 

[pattyduke34]

rentayenta I know how you feel! I am driving my family nuts...My countdown calendar, making autograph books, It's a small world ringtone..going around the house singing "Pirates life for me" I think they are ready to commit me! I have 47 days..count down on my cell phone too!

 

[areweindisneyyet]

I just got the eye roll from DH because I have woken up saying I can make dining reservations this time next week

Eight weeks until we leave tomorrow. Last year when I would read the thread I got so excited when the holiday season started because I knew when it started this year I would nearly be back at DL. The start of the season is so close.

I cant wait to hear what is happening from those going earlier than me.

Let the season begin...

 

[deesquared]

I just got the eye roll from DH because I have woken up saying I can make dining reservations this time next week
.

I won't roll my eyes at you!!
I just made my Dining Reservations today, and I was so excited!
I totally understand where you are coming from.
Yay for counting down to Christmas at Disneyland!

 

[WDWFigment]

I read the first page of this thread, and started to look at the last couple of pages for these answers, but I had to stop due to the photos (not to insult the photos, I liked what I saw, but I don't want to spoil the surprise!). Anyway, at the risk of asking a few questions that have probably been asked countless times, I wondered if anyone could assist me.

We're heading to Disneyland for "Christmas" for the first time ever November 16-23. Christmas is, by far, our favorite time of the year. We have been making an annual Christmas trip to Walt Disney World for years, and we absolutely love the decorations at the parks and resorts there, along with the music, and general ambiance. I say this as background so you know we're incredibly enthusiastic about Christmas.

Now, with the questions:

1. I've read nothing but GLOWING reviews, but it sounds like the Holiday Time at Disneyland tour offers little more than quick access to HMH and IASW, seating for the parade, snacks, and a pin. As far as the information presented and the actual tour itself, is it worth the money? Do the guides show you things you wouldn't otherwise see yourself? The comparable tour at WDW takes you to storage facilities and places you couldn't go on your own. Based on reviews I'm reading, I suspect that's not the case with this tour. That said, is it still worth it? Is it likely to be busy even before that first weekend (Nov 16, 17, and 18?) If we do end up doing the Holiday tour, would it be smartest to do it over the weekend when the crowds will be higher and the access/seating will really help most?

2. We picked the days we're going because it looks like crowds are historically low the first few days when we're visiting, I know no one can predict the future, but what kind of waits should we encounter for HMH and IASW these first few days? What about over the weekend? We plan on getting up for rope drop every morning, so I suspect we can see the attractions plenty of times without long waits. Is that true?

3. I've heard that the resort-hotel decorations and carolers aren't out, despite what the schedule says, until after Thanksgiving. Is this the case?

4. We REALLY want to get in the Christmas mood. We want to see, hear, and EAT Christmas! Which restaurants, table service and counter service, would be our best bets for "Christmas cuisine" (even if it's just desserts)?

5. Of the desserts/drinks on the first page list, which do you like the best? Although we LOVE pumpkin, I consider pumpkin a Halloween/Thanksgiving food, and even though this is before Thanksgiving, it's a Christmas trip for us, so I'll probably stay away from pumpkin treats. (Odd? Yes, I know!)

6. Any details that tourists generally overlook? Really cool decorations that most people don't notice that shouldn't be overlooked? Are there any not-to-be-missed souvenirs that are a "must-buy" during the holidays at Disneyland?

I really, really appreciate any answers anyone can provide to these questions. I promise I will "repay" you with some excellent photos when we return!

It feels oddly exhilarating to be a "newbie" to something Disney-related. We are longtime veterans of Walt Disney World at Christmas, and I know the ins and outs of touring there at Christmas. It's still just as fun every season as it was the last, but there is really something exciting about anticipating experiencing something for the first time--especially something DISNEY and CHRISTMAS related! Of course, trying to plan while doing it 'blindly' (avoiding photos and videos) has been really tough, but I think the payoff will be great!

Thanks so much to anyone who helps!!!

 

[Vala]

Guess who booked her Fantasmic dessert package today?

Now just the Holiday tour left. Feels really close now.

@WDW Figment: That's what I heard about the tour too. I still plan to go though, but I'm from Europe and it's my first (and probably only) visit at Christmas time. So I am taking what I can get.

 

[scrappinbear78]

I am so excited, we finally paid off our DL trip a little over a week ago. It is now official that we will get to go this year and I can't wait. We did end up downgrading hotels. We will now be staying at the Best Western hotel right across the street from DL. I am disappointed we won't be staying on site, but in order to make the trip happen this year we had to try and cut costs. We did end up adding the meal plan onto the account so that we are certain to at least be able to eat. We won't have as much money as we had hoped for, but at least the trip is going to happen. I will be making dinning reservations in a couple weeks, but have no clue where we should book. I am back on 100% IV feedings, so I won't actually be eating but need to make sure the family is getting good meals. Since I can't eat, I really want to only go to a "buffet" once since I will have to pay full price to just go and sit with my family and eat ice. Any suggestions would be much appreciated and remember we do have the 5 day meal vouchers (having the extra set for me that I won't be using).

Also, I am not sure how much any of the tours are but was wondering if it is really worth it if we just had someone stake out a seat for the parade while others are riding on rides. Now that we are in the final stages of planning, it is down to crunch time. I want to go in with a plan of attack so that we don't miss anything. We will be at DL from Dec. 20 - 27. We will be driving down so that on our way home we can stop at different locations for the girls to see area attractions. Can't wait to really get down to the nitty gritty and get down there.

Another question, since I scrapbook would it be better for me to make the kids autograph books or buy them down there. Also, what are some other tips that seasoned DL travelers would recommend? Since we will probably never make it back down to DL ever, want to make sure that we have things that can be held and touched to remember the trip by. Yeah pics are great, but sometimes you want to actually pick up and hold something to talk about and bring up the wonderful memories.

 

[Peace Mickey Lovers]

so excited to be going. We have been to WDW many times for the Christmas holiday and can not wait to see DL all decorated for Christmas.

 

[jacs1234]

I would love to know about the Holiday tour too. We'll probably only sit and watch the parade once so it would be nice to have a hot chocolate and seat while we do so We've been the last three years in early December and have had heaps and heaps of times where there has been no wait for the Haunted Mansion and I don't think I've ever waited more than 10 minutes for IASW. I really don't think paying for a tour to get to front of line of those attractions is worth it. Not for that alone anyway. We've also always been able to stake out a fantastic spot for the parade, even with a group of 7. I wonder if my 5 year old will cope with walking around listening to headphones.

Plaza Inn have the Yule logs for dessert as well as those gorgeous little dimetesse (sp?) cups filled with a peppermint mousse. I wish I could post a pic for you, but I won't They have delicious egg nog at the bakery and at a little place near the rivers of America that sell the bread bowls. You can have it cold or heated, we like it heated. So super sweet. People say the candy canes are not to be missed, but I'm not a huge fan of peppermint. Also at Poohs corner they sell lots of candy cane type treats, like pretzels dipped in crushed candy cane and marshmallows smothered in stuff dipped in crushed candy canes.

 

[jacs1234]

So the schedule for the first day of my trip is finally up. YAY!!!!!! It's blocked for ALL annual passholders. I guess that could be a good or bad thing. It could be good because less people are allowed in but it could be bad because they obviously expect the crowds to be huge.

I was hoping the pixar parade would be back on by the time we got there but so far it's not. But Phineas and Ferb still have their little show on so that will be great for my older boys. I'm so regretting not buying that P and F dvd at the store today. I actually had it in my hands but bought the fox and the hound instead. I should have just bought both.

Soooooooooooooo nervous about booking Fantasmic priority seating. We want to see it on Sunday the 27th which probably will be a busy day. To make the booking 30 days before that at opening time it will be like 2am our time so that will be a very late night for me. I will find it hard to stay up that late and then survive the next day.

It's all just so exciting and I'm so glad to have this thread to let loose on.

 

[jacs1234]

WARNING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

More parade pics below
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[tksbaskets]

I would love to know about the Holiday tour too. We'll probably only sit and watch the parade once so it would be nice to have a hot chocolate and seat while we do so We've been the last three years in early December and have had heaps and heaps of times where there has been no wait for the Haunted Mansion and I don't think I've ever waited more than 10 minutes for IASW. I really don't think paying for a tour to get to front of line of those attractions is worth it. Not for that alone anyway. We've also always been able to stake out a fantastic spot for the parade, even with a group of 7. I wonder if my 5 year old will cope with walking around listening to headphones.

Plaza Inn have the Yule logs for dessert as well as those gorgeous little dimetesse (sp?) cups filled with a peppermint mousse. I wish I could post a pic for you, but I won't They have delicious egg nog at the bakery and at a little place near the rivers of America that sell the bread bowls. You can have it cold or heated, we like it heated. So super sweet. People say the candy canes are not to be missed, but I'm not a huge fan of peppermint. Also at Poohs corner they sell lots of candy cane type treats, like pretzels dipped in crushed candy cane and marshmallows smothered in stuff dipped in crushed candy canes.

If you look at post #2 on the first page there are links to information about the Holiday Tour (one is my trip report where we go into a bit of detail about it). We considered it well worth the money. Along with hot chocolate and a yummy cookie to enjoy with the priority seating for the parade we had walk on service on IASW and HMH. PRICELESS

 

[Jillchristina]

Anyway, I can see that this week's 2-for-1 theme was a success! I don't think we've ever had so many contributions to a theme as we have this week! Thanks to everyone for sharing - I am amazed at the clarity and crispness of some of the photos provided by you all! The fireworks shots are amazing! (I've been viewing most of the photos from everyone through the links in the e-mail notifications!)

Yes! Thanks everyone for the wonderful pictures. I am SO excited for our trip and this just pushed me over the edge into full, pre-holiday trip hysteria! You know your pictures are good when they make a stranger cry.

Jill

 

[Mexikolla]

I just booked our room at the PPH! We've never stayed "on site" before!

Sooooo Excited!!! We will be there from Nov 28-Dec 1

 

[rentayenta]

I just booked our room at the PPH! We've never stayed "on site" before!

Sooooo Excited!!! We will be there from Nov 28-Dec 1