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

[canadadisney]

I am enjoying this thread so much. We have booked a trip from January 2-9. We have not told our kids. It will be our present to them Christmas morning. This has been difficult for me as I LOVE planning Disney trips and I could talk about it 24/7.

This is also why I love this thread so much. My DH doesn't really want to talk about it because he feels like it is too far away. Me on the other hand, I can't wait already!

We have been to DL twice before at Christmas season. The first time was from Boxing Day- New Years and as much as I love Disney this wasn't for me. I remember feeling scared because there were so many people. The second time was in November and it was the exact opposite, every ride was a walk on. I am imagining this trip to be the middle of the two.

So far my biggest questions are surrounding the holiday tour. My first question is, Will they offer the holiday tour throughout the first week in January?

I had actually never heard of the tour before reading this thread and now I am strongly leaning towards it.
The pros for me are:
1. The Parade Seating: we love parades and this would save us time on the other days and we wouldn't have to find a spot hours before.
2. Small World and HM passes: again, we wouldn't have to stand in line on the other days as we would know that we are going to get to experience these attractions on the tour.
3. Seeing Disney another way

The con for me is:
1. I go non stop when I am at Disney. I am always planning where and when to go. When my DH and DDs stop for a snack, I run and get FPs. I am so worried that while I am on the holiday tour I will be thinking about what I should be riding at the time etc.
2. (goes along with #1) I'm afraid that the tour will be a boring, follow the flag tour as you listen to your headset and I will wish I was doing something else
3. Unsure if my 2 DD (ages 10 and 8) will enjoy the tour. Also a bit worried they won't be able to see the parade.

 

[jacs1234]

Pooh's corner. LOVE that place.

One of my favourite christmas souvenir's from our trip. (From the Plaza Inn but you can also get them from the bakery I think)

The Yule log from the Plaza Inn

Don't know what this is called but it's from Pooh's corner

And I love this but didn't buy it. It was in the animation building store in DCA

 

[nicolispicoli]

Do they offer just one tour time? I know it coincides with the parade times but what if there are two oarades scheduled?

I know that on the 14th at least, there is only one tour at 3:00. The park closes at 8 that day, so there is only one parade scheduled for 5:30.

 

[nicolispicoli]

Yay! I have my Holiday Tour booked!

Going on the 14th, 3 PM.

Me too!! Maybe we'll end up in the same group! I'll be there with a baby bjorn embedded in my chest....and hopefully a cooperating baby in it ! Lol!

 

[disneymom23]

So far my biggest questions are surrounding the holiday tour. My first question is, Will they offer the holiday tour throughout the first week in January?

I had actually never heard of the tour before reading this thread and now I am strongly leaning towards it.
The pros for me are:
1. The Parade Seating: we love parades and this would save us time on the other days and we wouldn't have to find a spot hours before.
2. Small World and HM passes: again, we wouldn't have to stand in line on the other days as we would know that we are going to get to experience these attractions on the tour.
3. Seeing Disney another way

The con for me is:
1. I go non stop when I am at Disney. I am always planning where and when to go. When my DH and DDs stop for a snack, I run and get FPs. I am so worried that while I am on the holiday tour I will be thinking about what I should be riding at the time etc.
2. (goes along with #1) I'm afraid that the tour will be a boring, follow the flag tour as you listen to your headset and I will wish I was doing something else
3. Unsure if my 2 DD (ages 10 and 8) will enjoy the tour. Also a bit worried they won't be able to see the parade.

We love the holiday tour and this will be our 4th year taking it. My kids are 13, 11 and 9. The tour is fun and interesting, not boring at all. You hear about the different types of decorations based on the different lands. You listen to Christmas music when the guide isn't talking. You walk on to HMH, Small World and the train. Then you get great seats to the parade, right in front of Small World. There are only 2 rows of seats so they will see fine even from the second row.

I don't think you will be disappointed with the tour.

 

[rentayenta]

The kids little Disney tree:

Our blurry menorah:

I am such a loser. I put everything to FB and cannot find any of it on my computer or Photobucket.

 

[disneymom23]

The kids little Disney tree:

Our blurry menorah:

I am such a loser. I put everything to FB and cannot find any of it on my computer or Photobucket.

I love the menorah. Where did you get it?

 

[Eeee-va]

I know I've posted at least some of these before, but here are mine from 2009.

Decorate your own cookie (gingerbread and tree...I did the gingerbread and put as much frosting on as I could; my friend did an elegant tree).
The tree's candy cane sprinkles were MINTY!

Cupcakes (I think I just took the shot because they were pretty):

Baked goods at the Blue Ribbon Bakery near the end of the night (no gingerbread! )

Snowman sugar cookie (was just OK):

Whitewater Snacks, if I recall correctly:

And this is SO a holiday treat...see the box?

 

[Vala]

Do they offer just one tour time? I know it coincides with the parade times but what if there are two oarades scheduled?

I was told this is the only time they have on the 14th. Maybe they offer 2 a day when the season gets more busy.

Me too!! Maybe we'll end up in the same group! I'll be there with a baby bjorn embedded in my chest....and hopefully a cooperating baby in it ! Lol!

According to the CM there is only one group that day. So yeah, looks like I will see you there. I'll be the short woman with the odd accent.

 

[NewbieMouse]

I am very, very behind on my thread reading, but just in case this hasn't been posted yet, the CM parties will be on the 12th & 13th. I just called to make my dining reservations and they said that they would be closing for the parties at 6 pm that day (DCA will be open until 10:00).

 

[deesquared]

I am very, very behind on my thread reading, but just in case this hasn't been posted yet, the CM parties will be on the 12th & 13th. I just called to make my dining reservations and they said that they would be closing for the parties at 6 pm that day (DCA will be open until 10:00).

Thank you so much for posting this!

 

[rentayenta]

I love the menorah. Where did you get it?

The Disney store- years ago. I love it!

I know that on the 14th at least, there is only one tour at 3:00. The park closes at 8 that day, so there is only one parade scheduled for 5:30.

That makes sense. I want to see the parade at night- so much more magical. Please post a review of the tour.

 

[KellifromCanada]

Hi all!

Going to be in LA for a conference and thinking of taking DD for a day to DLR.

Which date is probably going to be less crowded? Is it likely that many folks will take the Monday as a holiday because of the 11th?

I am leaning toward the Tuesday...BUT, I notice there is xtra magic hours on the Tuesday, but not on the Monday.

Should traffic be a consideration? Is Monday rush hour more brutal than Tuesday or doesn't matter?

I am thinking of hiring a car service to take us from Santa Monica to DLR and back just to make things easier. I see the Lux Bus info, but the trip back pretty much happens right in the middle of the fireworks which I wouldn't want to miss.

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Kelli

 

[ukstitch]

Relating to the CM parties - we've booked napa rose and storytellers for 6:30 on these days, based on previous years where the fireworks have been at 5:45 with everybody out the park for 6. I take it I'm right in thinking that we'll have plenty of time to make these priority seatings?

 

[larina]

What time should we book dinner on Christmas Eve at Napa Rose? I'm leaning towards earlier since we'll have Jack (my 3 year old son). I love that we can walk around the Grand while we wait and between courses. I get more excited every day.

 

[DizMe]

So excited!!! My sister and I will be going Nov 29-Dec 2. This is our 4th year in a row and has become an annual tradition. Can't wait to reserve our Holiday Tour!

Me, sis and our holiday tour mugs of cocoa. Closest I could find to a treat picture. Apparently, we had already eaten the gingerbread Mickeys

http://www.flickr.com/photos/33186176@N05/3097294442/

 

[DangerMouse]

So excited!!! My sister and I will be going Nov 29-Dec 2. This is our 4th year in a row and has become an annual tradition. Can't wait to reserve our Holiday Tour!

Me, sis and our holiday tour mugs of cocoa. Closest I could find to a treat picture. Apparently, we had already eaten the gingerbread Mickeys

http://www.flickr.com/photos/33186176@N05/3097294442/

My family will be there at the same time! Looking forward to some updated reviews of the Holiday Tour.

 

[rentayenta]

My family will be there at the same time! Looking forward to some updated reviews of the Holiday Tour.

My plan is to go 11/27 so hopefully I'll have a quick update that night or early the next morning.

 

[DizMe]

My family will be there at the same time! Looking forward to some updated reviews of the Holiday Tour.

Ooo! Hope we get on the same tour! I met ballarinamom that way, and we saw each other 2 years in a row on the same tour

 

[disneymom23]

So excited!!! My sister and I will be going Nov 29-Dec 2. This is our 4th year in a row and has become an annual tradition. Can't wait to reserve our Holiday Tour!

Me, sis and our holiday tour mugs of cocoa. Closest I could find to a treat picture. Apparently, we had already eaten the gingerbread Mickeys

http://www.flickr.com/photos/33186176@N05/3097294442/

I think we were on the same tour that year too.