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

[areweindisneyyet]

I can't wait to Chet there and finally see all of the magnificent decorations. I dreamt of castles and Christmas trees last night.

I cannot wait to see pictures appear here as I wait out my last 5 weeks.

Sherry, promise you will take lots of pictures for me.

Mia

 

[Sherry E]

I can't wait to Chet there and finally see all of the magnificent decorations. I dreamt of castles and Christmas trees last night.

I cannot wait to see pictures appear here as I wait out my last 5 weeks.

Sherry, promise you will take lots of pictures for me.

Mia

Mia -

You know, I am seriously hoping I am going to be able to somehow keep my entire week-long stay, because once everyone else who is with me at DLR goes home, I would be able to have some good solo time to get out there and take lots of photos.

I don't know about anyone else, but I have a really hard time taking scenic, landscape or "details" photos when anyone else is with me. I cannot concentrate. I cannot come up with ideas for things I might want to get different angles of (I need to sometimes think about what angle I want to get). I get easily distracted. It's too hard for me. So I either end up not taking any photos, or I get mostly photos with my friends - which is great, but I like a good mix of friend photos and non-people shots.

This time, it's going to be an interesting trip because I will be with longtime friends I have not seen in 10 years and may not see again for another 10, and they do NOT celebrate Christmas. They won't mind if I shuffle (coughforcecough) them into a photo by a Christmas tree or two, but they won't be excited about the decorations and the season like I will be.

And then, I will have Laurie/DizNee Luver and Molly/bumbershoot joining me for a couple of nights. This will be Laurie's first DLR holiday trip, so she has certain things/priorities she has to do/see, and Molly has not been to DLR in 2 years so she has certain things she will want to do.

Other than myself, Laurie will be the next biggest Christmas fan on the whole outing, and she would be the one who would understand my utter excitement over the season better than anyone else, BUT I will not be able to spend much time with her (or with Molly), as I will likely be gallivanting around with my friends for at least a couple of days.

And regardless of who I am with - Christmas fan or non-Christmas fan - I will not be able to take the mother lode of photos that I took last December when I was by myself. I will have to have total solo time to do that, and it could require at least a good couple of days.

So I am really, really hoping that somehow I will be able to swing keeping the full reservation and not having to cut it too short...or else I may not get too many "details" photos this year.

I will try to get as many as I can - I have to have something for next year's countdown themes, after all!

 

[MattsPrincess]

Just thought i'd share the little bit of Christmas magic I got to experience on my recent trip.

Here is a picture I took on Monday, October 24th-

And on Tuesday, October 25th-

And Thursday, October 27th-

We noticed right away on Tuesday morning that it had "snowed" over night, so we kept an eye on it. Sure enough, every morning it had "snowed" a little bit more. That made us pay attention to other things as well, and throughout the week we noticed more Christmas popping up. Everyday there was just a little more merchandise, a little more decoration in New Orleans, etc. In fact, between Wednesday night and Thursday morning, the big ornaments in Bug's Land also magically appeared! It was very cool, and added some extra magic to our trip!

 

[Sherry E]

Oh wow - that's so cool, MattsPrincess!

I've never been there as the snow was going up on the Castle and the park was transforming, so it's fascinating to me to see the stages of it and how it develops a little bit more each day. I love those photos!

So far, we haven't seen any photos (in this thread) of the decoration process for this year, as everything starts to go up. But I know we were all hoping that someone would post something as it was happening! I think you're the first, unless I am forgetting someone.

Thank you so much!

 

[DizNee Luver]

Don't worry about entertaining me while I'm there Sherry....as you mentioned....I already have an agenda of must do's. I hope Molly likes running solo...I'm kinda like you....like the freedom to go here & there & stop to take photos. If I stop for pics, I feel like I'm keeping others from doing something they want to do.

(but I still say that you have to eat breakfast...so GK is a MUST!!)

 

[Sherry E]

Don't worry about entertaining me while I'm there Sherry....as you mentioned....I already have an agenda of must do's. I hope Molly likes running solo...I'm kinda like you....like the freedom to go here & there & stop to take photos. If I stop for pics, I feel like I'm keeping others from doing something they want to do.

(but I still say that you have to eat breakfast...so GK is a MUST!!)

Oh, I"m not worried about entertaining you. I know you'll be fine. I am just trying to figure out how I am going to coordinate my whole trip so that I get to do what I had in mind! I am more worried about entertaining ME! I don't think I will have enough time to squeeze everything in.

Even when people tell me they don't mind if I stop and take photos, that's not enough. I still cannot concentrate or 'create' the pictures I want to take. I either end up in conversation with them or I end up looking around to see where they have disappeared to!

I need long, uninterrupted blocks of solo time for photos - in other words, just an hour or two is not enough for me. I am used to being totally solo in daily life anyway, so it's second nature to me to be by myself and operate on my own schedule, without anyone else around. And yet, certain things are much more fun to do with people - like going on rides and meals and things like that.

But this trip is going to involve lots of people coming and going from different areas, at different times, and I will have to get into a totally different mind set. I mean, even seeing my childhood friend is going to be a challenge because she will have her dad, son and husband there too - and they are a ball of madness, so that is something I will have to contend with. I'm not used to having all of that chaotic energy around me, so it takes a different frame of mind to deal with it!

 

[DizNee Luver]

Maybe you could assign a block of time to spend with your friends (including Molly & I) & then you'd have some alone time as well to do what you wanted. Do you have to spend the entire time with each of your other friends & their families when they're there??

I'd be thrilled if you offered me 1-2 hrs during the time I'm there. Just a little time to chit chat.

I mean, this is YOUR trip.....you need to get your alone time in too. Especially with the one friend bringing the family....you'd think they'd want some family time to do some things. Just trying to help figure this out for you & make it easier & more enjoyable.

 

[rentayenta]

But this trip is going to involve lots of people coming and going from different areas, at different times, and I will have to get into a totally different mind set. I mean, even seeing my childhood friend is going to be a challenge because she will have her dad, son and husband there too - and they are a ball of madness, so that is something I will have to contend with. I'm not used to having all of that chaotic energy around me, so it takes a different frame of mind to deal with it!

Then be glad I won't be there because I am 100% chaotic energy but in a good way. I have Ridemaxed myself silly today.

 

[KCmike]

 

[Sherry E]

Maybe you could assign a block of time to spend with your friends (including Molly & I) & then you'd have some alone time as well to do what you wanted. Do you have to spend the entire time with each of your other friends & their families when they're there??

I'd be thrilled if you offered me 1-2 hrs during the time I'm there. Just a little time to chit chat.

I mean, this is YOUR trip.....you need to get your alone time in too. Especially with the one friend bringing the family....you'd think they'd want some family time to do some things. Just trying to help figure this out for you & make it easier & more enjoyable.

Laurie -

My friend and her family are together 24/7! They have family time all the time! If anything, she wants to get away from the rest of them for a little while (which is why she is planning to stay with me at the PPH on my second night)! Disneyland is not "special" to them in the same way it is for others, so it's not a big deal to have family-only time in the park for them. I'm the one she hasn't seen in 10 years, and I'm the one who knows all the ins and outs of DLR and what has been added since she was last there. They have other people showing up to see them as well - on 12/8 and 12/9. They are saving the preceding days for me.

Again, it's not like I see these people often - I have not seen this one friend in a decade and it may be that long before I see her again. We are childhood friends and old Disneyland buddies from way back. She worked along with me for Poison/Bret Michaels. We have a long friendship and history. Obviously, she is going to be my priority over having a lot of my own solo time - which would have to be at least a good couple of days' worth of solo time - because, let's face it - I can always go back and have solo time on another occasion/trip. But I can't always see my childhood friend! My friends are pretty much my family!

But - if something should happen and my chaotic, disorganized friends end up not coming out for some reason, or if some of their other friends end up showing up on my days with them, then I will take that as a good thing and I will happily wander off by myself! I will use it to my advantage. They are trying to make a specific effort to set aside the first couple of days for me, though, and the last couple of days are for their other people.

I'm just not going to be the first one to say, "Sorry. Even though we've been friends for over 30 years and I haven't seen you in 10 years, I can only spend X amount of time with you because I have to go off and take my own photos." When it comes down to it, the photo missions can wait if they have to, as much as I hope they don't have to.

I'll have to play a lot of it by ear and wait to see what happens once the trip actually begins. Some of it won't be figured out until then, I think.

Then be glad I won't be there because I am 100% chaotic energy but in a good way. I have Ridemaxed myself silly today.

Jenny -

It sounds like you're definitely chaotic in a good way. Ridemaxing yourself silly sounds like you are actually planning and trying to get things organized in some fashion, which is a positive thing!

There are chaotic people who don't plan anything, and so their chaos is enhanced when they get to their destination because they have no clue what to do first or where to go, or who left the keys in the car, or who left their jacket in the hotel room, or who has the Hoppers, or whose sunglasses just broke, etc. There always seems to be madness swirling about!

 

[rentayenta]

Jenny -

It sounds like you're definitely chaotic in a good way. Ridemaxing yourself silly sounds like you are actually planning and trying to get things organized in some fashion, which is a positive thing!

There are chaotic people who don't plan anything, and so their chaos is enhanced when they get to their destination because they have no clue what to do first or where to go, or who left the keys in the car, or who left their jacket in the hotel room, or who has the Hoppers, or whose sunglasses just broke, etc. There always seems to be madness swirling about!

That drives me crazy too. I always feel so bad for those families, standing in the middle of Main St, map opened, stroller turned sideways, blocking all traffic, with that deer-in-the-headlights look as if begging someone to tell them what to do next. C'mom people: do your research!

 

[DizNee Luver]

I wasn't suggesting blowing them off....just wasn't sure of the dynamics of the family setting. Like with our family, I enjoy spending some time with my friends when I've been lucky enough to have that happen during our trips.....but don't want to spend the entire time with them. I like my family time.

Makes perfect sense to use your time together to catch up. I'm sure it will all pan out in the end....just have to go with the "go with the flow" attitude & fun will be had by all!!!

I really hope everyone shows up that is planning....sounds like it would be a wonderful reunion of old friends!!

Heck even with a full schedule & lots of people....it will still be magical.....I mean it is Disneyland & the holidays!!!

 

[MommyWithDreams]

Laurie are we REALLY at 32 days???? I still haven't even told Ayden. I'm aready thinking about what to pack...trying to really boost some happiness into this planning, just can't get motivated.

 

[funatdisney]

I'm just catching up here after my Halloween Time trip. Glad to find lots of info for this year's Christmas season. I'll be in the thick of it with our stay in a DVC villa the week before Christmas!

Sherry, how exciting to find out that there will be some Christmas decor in DCA this year. I am super excited and can't wait to have a look at all the new decor.

 

[Sherry E]

Jenny -

There are a lot of non-researchin' folks out there at DLR. You can see it all over their faces, and you can tell from little excerpts of conversations that can be overheard. People either go way overboard with the planning and researching, as if they were about to move to Europe or something, or they don't do anything in the way of planning, and then there's a lot of "so what do you want to do now" stuff happening, and looking clueless!

Laurie -

Yep. It will all be a play it by ear kind of thing and a 'go with the flow' thing when I finally get there. I mean, certain things will have to be figured out beforehand (like if my friends want to see the parade or see WoC, or fireworks or whatever, we will have to establish that, ir if they want to do a character meal, I have to make sure I have the $$$ - that sort of thing).

My main thing is, I don't want to waste time waiting around. If my friends are coming and it's all on schedule, then I will be with them. If something happens to their plans and I end up with lots of solo time, that will be fabulous as well - either way it happens, it will be great. I just don't want to be waiting around for hours when they were supposed to show up at noon or something. That's my main thing - to set a plan of some sort and stick to it as closely as possible.

Liza -

Welcome back to the Christmas side of town! Ho ho ho!

I know! It is exciting, isn't it? I was amazed that so much information about the holidays came out all at one time. Did you join the Disneyland Holidays Facebook page yet? I expected there to be very few new pieces of information this year - and very little in the way of "new" anything in terms of holidays - because of all the pesky construction in DCA.

But now we have a new tree and decorations in Toontown to look forward to, we have the Prep & Landing World of Color thingy, we have the special holiday Magic, Memories & You projections on IASW Holiday coming, we have a decorated Little Mermaid facade, wreaths on the lampposts in the Paradise Pier area, we have some amped up decorations on the Castle (an extra wreath here, an extra bow there...), some extra little touches in New Orleans Square, etc. There's all kinds of stuff!


Of course, you'll also get to see lots of decor in November when you go get your pin, AND hopefully we can figure out a time when you can either come to DLR to join Laurie, Molly and me, or come out with me at the beginning of the trip (if my OC friends are not there), or something. So you may get some samplings of Christmas even before your Christmas trip!

When you stay in your DVC villas that close to the holiday, or any time in December, do you bring a little tree with you, just to make it more holiday-esque? It seems like it would be a fun thing to do if you are there for at least a couple of nights.

 

[rentayenta]

I am an overplanner but have no intention of following through with it all. I really enjoy the learning and research and being well informed. I usually end up canceling half of our PS and making just one rope drop. I'm the worst kind of high maintenance.

 

[funatdisney]

Liza-

Welcome back to the Christmas side of town! Ho ho ho!

I know! It is exciting, isn't it? I was amazed that so much information about the holidays came out all at one time. Did you join the Disneyland Holidays Facebook page yet? I expected there to be very few new pieces of information this year - and very little in the way of "new" anything in terms of holidays - because of all the pesky construction in DCA.

But now we have a new tree and decorations in Toontown to look forward to, we have the Prep & Landing World of Color thingy, we have the special holiday Magic, Memories & You projections on IASW Holiday coming, we have a decorated Little Mermaid facade, wreaths on the lampposts in the Paradise Pier area, we have some amped up decorations on the Castle (an extra wreath here, an extra bow there...), some extra little touches in New Orleans Square, etc. There's all kinds of stuff!


Of course, you'll also get to see lots of decor in November when you go get your pin, AND hopefully we can figure out a time when you can either come to DLR to join Laurie, Molly and me, or come out with me at the beginning of the trip (if my OC friends are not there), or something. So you may get some samplings of Christmas even before your Christmas trip!

When you stay in your DVC villas that close to the holiday, or any time in December, do you bring a little tree with you, just to make it more holiday-esque? It seems like it would be a fun thing to do if you are there for at least a couple of nights.

Glad to be back! And yes I did join the Disneyland Holidays Facebook page as soon as I read about it. Yep I see lots of opportunities to come out to DLR for the Holiday season. Don't forget, I take my youngest DD to DLR for her birthday. We are looking at 20th for our special Mother-Daughter day trip. It is a tradition I can never pass up!

This is the first time we have planned a trip to DLR so close to Christmas. Last year, out of a fluke, we stayed in a one bedroom during the first weekend of December. The last time we stayed in DLR before that was in 1996. This year we are staying with another family in a two bedroom. I haven't talked to them about a Christmas tree. The wife is Jewish and the husband a Christian, and they celebrate both Holidays. We may end up with decorating our room with decorations from both Holidays .

I'm updating at my calendar this week. I knew there would be things to add once the girls finished their Fall Break. I'll pm you what days look good for me soon. I'm going have to - my calendar is looking pretty full!

 

[nicolispicoli]

So I was checking the weather and even though we're a week out, all I saw was rain all weekend BOO!!!

Rain won't ruin my trip, but I am hoping it happens before we go or holds off! It said showers next Friday-Sunday (11th-13th), here's hoping!! Trust me, I know how reliable forecasts really are!

Do they still show Fantasmic if it's light rain? We got premium seats for Sunday the 13th. And I am guessing snow and fireworks won't happen in the rain, even if it's sprinkling?

Any thoughts? I am still having faith that it will all work out, but it would be a bummer to have it rain 3 days of our 5 day trip.

 

[Sherry E]

So I was checking the weather and even though we're a week out, all I saw was rain all weekend BOO!!!

Rain won't ruin my trip, but I am hoping it happens before we go or holds off! It said showers next Friday-Sunday (11th-13th), here's hoping!! Trust me, I know how reliable forecasts really are!

Do they still show Fantasmic if it's light rain? We got premium seats for Sunday the 13th. And I am guessing snow and fireworks won't happen in the rain, even if it's sprinkling?

Any thoughts? I am still having faith that it will all work out, but it would be a bummer to have it rain 3 days of our 5 day trip.

I live in SoCal (about 40 minutes from DLR) and we are in the middle of a nice, healthy rain shower at this very moment! It was just kind of drizzly, gray and gloomy for a while and then it started to actually rain pretty substantially. It's not the heaviest or worst rain I have ever seen in SoCal, by any means, but it is certainly enough to interfere with random things at DLR.

Which weather site do you use for extended forecasts? I tend to use AccuWeather, although I find that on most of these sites, the extended forecasts are not worth much. I have monitored them when I had a specific trip coming up, and the predicted temperature for one specific day/date was literally jumping from 89 degrees to 67 degrees to 75 and back up to 85 over the course of 14 days or so.

There may be rain in the forecast one week out that will end up being delayed or somehow have dissipated by the time you go. Now, if it still says rain by November 9th or so, I would say it's a fair bet that it will rain!

I could be wrong - and hopefully Bret or someone will jump in and confirm or deny what I am saying - but I think that even if there is just a light sprinkling of rain, everything you mentioned is at least postponed (or cancelled). The fireworks would be postponed. I'm sure the snow would be too - the snow is so light and hard to see that any rain drops would obliterate it or wash it away!! It would ruin the whole snowy effect! I think Fantasmic would be postponed or cancelled as well (depending on the severity of the rain and how long it is predicted to last). What the Dining folks would probably try to do is reschedule you to another Fantasmic time, and you may or may not be able to make that showing.

 

[nicolispicoli]

I live in SoCal (about 40 minutes from DLR) and we are in the middle of a nice, healthy rain shower at this very moment! It was just kind of drizzly, gray and gloomy for a while and then it started to actually rain pretty substantially. It's not the heaviest or worst rain I have ever seen in SoCal, by any means, but it is certainly enough to interfere with random things at DLR.

Which weather site do you use for extended forecasts? I tend to use AccuWeather, although I find that on most of these sites, the extended forecasts are not worth much. I have monitored them when I had a specific trip coming up, and the predicted temperature for one specific day/date was literally jumping from 89 degrees to 67 degrees to 75 and back up to 85 over the course of 14 days or so.

There may be rain in the forecast one week out that will end up being delayed or somehow have dissipated by the time you go. Now, if it still says rain by November 9th or so, I would say it's a fair bet that it will rain!

I could be wrong - and hopefully Bret or someone will jump in and confirm or deny what I am saying - but I think that even if there is just a light sprinkling of rain, everything you mentioned is at least postponed (or cancelled). The fireworks would be postponed. I'm sure the snow would be too - the snow is so light and hard to see that any rain drops would obliterate it or wash it away!! It would ruin the whole snowy effect! I think Fantasmic would be postponed or cancelled as well (depending on the severity of the rain and how long it is predicted to last). What the Dining folks would probably try to do is reschedule you to another Fantasmic time, and you may or may not be able to make that showing.

Thanks Sherry! You've got a great point! I tend to not bother with forecasts unless it's a couple days out...or if I am going on vacation, then I obsess over them, lol!

Like you said, I am hoping by then it just doesn't end up raining. I wouldn't worry as much if I wasn't bringing my dd, who is 7 months, she won't be fun in the rain