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

[tksbaskets]

cpster -

Also, as far as the It's a Small World Holiday set-up...they usually put some holiday props around the area outside of that ride for photo ops in the daytime or night, but PhotoPass is not always there.

The trouble with IASWH at night for photos (PhotoPass or otherwise) is that the colored lights are so gorgeous...and everyone from all corners of the parks flock to them to stare in awe. That makes for a very crowded area. And the way the queue winds around, that only adds to the problem. When you want a nice photo taken in front of IASWH's stunning facade, you probably don't envision thousands of your closest friends standing behind you in the photo, cluttering it up.

Unfortunately, there seems to be little to no way to prevent that situation at IASWH during the evening. There will be lots of people staring at the lights unless it's raining, and there will be a line of people winding their way into your photo! It's difficult for the photographers because they try to get a nice clear shot of the illuminated IASWH facade, but they can't avoid those people!

The only way I have found to get those strangers out of your night time IASWH pictures it to take the later Holiday Tour and when the parade starts (or just before) you have a clear shot of IASWH! The alternate plan would be to find a spot directly by the VIP viewing area for the parade.

Immediately after the parade you have people milling behind your family and friends

 

[Elk Grove Chris]

Love this thread. Going to be at the parks Thanksgiving week and thinking of doing the Holiday Tour. I forgot what all the perks were to the tour, can you fill in the blanks.

I know they take you around and discuss the decorations, go on HM, IASW, and I think there was preferred seating for the parade, was there anything else? What was the cost? $60? TIA

 

[mvf-m11c]

Love this thread. Going to be at the parks Thanksgiving week and thinking of doing the Holiday Tour. I forgot what all the perks were to the tour, can you fill in the blanks.

I know they take you around and discuss the decorations, go on HM, IASW, and I think there was preferred seating for the parade, was there anything else? What was the cost? $60? TIA

The highlights of the Holiday tour are priority boarding of IASWH and HMH and preferred seating for "A Christmas Fantasy" parade right across from IASWH. During the tour when I did it back in 2009, we stopped at the Candy store to try some treat samples. A collectible tag ornament you get at the beginning of the tour. We also went to Santa's Reindeer Round-Up to see the reindeer's. You also get Holiday souvenir cup and treat at TT just before the parade. And of course a collectible pin for going on the tour. Last year the cost was $68. You can get a discount on the tour by having a AP, AAA, Disney Visa or DVC member to get the discount.

 

[monkey30]

I was getting excited for my fall trip now I can not wait to see Disney in all its Christmas glory!

 

[Elk Grove Chris]

The highlights of the Holiday tour are priority boarding of IASWH and HMH and preferred seating for "A Christmas Fantasy" parade right across from IASWH. During the tour when I did it back in 2009, we stopped at the Candy store to try some treat samples. A collectible tag ornament you get at the beginning of the tour. We also went to Santa's Reindeer Round-Up to see the reindeer's. You also get Holiday souvenir cup and treat at TT just before the parade. And of course a collectible pin for going on the tour. Last year the cost was $68. You can get a discount on the tour by having a AP, AAA, Disney Visa or DVC member to get the discount.

Perfect, thanks a lot.

 

[Sherry E]

Good grief, Charlie Brown!

Was anyone aware that this thread had drifted all the way to PAGE 7??!!!! Not page 3. Not page 4. Page 7.

That just won't do. It won't do at all!

So this is an unabashed, shameless bump to rescue this poor thread!

 

[kaoden39]

Did anyone else read that Disneyland is starting the Christmas Holiday officially on November 12th?



This is huge for us, that is our official first day in Disneyland!! I couldn't be more thrilled!!

 

[DharmaLou]

That's great! We get in the 16th.

 

[Sherry E]

Did anyone else read that Disneyland is starting the Christmas Holiday officially on November 12th?



This is huge for us, that is our official first day in Disneyland!! I couldn't be more thrilled!!

No! I didn't hear that, although, as you know, 11/12 was one of my choices for when I thought the season would start (11/9 always seemed a little early to me, and the season began on a Monday last year so why not this year too?).

Where was it announced, Michele? Whenever I hear an announcement of dates (and we know they are official), I add them to the title of the thread.

 

[kaoden39]

That's great! We get in the 16th.

I know I was thrilled!!

No! I didn't hear that, although, as you know, 11/12 was one of my choices for when I thought the season would start (11/9 always seemed a little early to me, and the season began on a Monday last year so why not this year too?).

Where was it announced, Michele? Whenever I hear an announcement of dates (and we know they are official), I add them to the title of the thread.

I read it on Facebook and I don't remember which Disney thing I read it on. The first thing I thought when I saw it was that you were right.



I just shared the post I saw it on Facebook for you Sherry and I tagged you in it.

 

[Sherry E]

Okay, thanks, Michele - I'll check it out.

It figures - I haven't been on Facebook much in the last week so I miss all the good stuff! And I always, always seem to miss the dates going up on the DLR website. I could literally check the DLR website for Halloween or holiday season dates and not see a darn thing. And then - 15 minutes later - one of our DIS'ers will go onto the site and discover that the dates were just posted! I have the worst timing in that area!

I don't know why an 11/9 start date never sat well with me. It was always a possibility, of course, but looking at the way DLR handled the season last year it seemed like 11/12 was more likely, and 11/16 would be the absolute latest start date!

In any case, I'm so happy for you, Michele! I'm glad that you will get the full-fledged, whole 9 yards of Disneyland Christmas merriment!!

I am guessing that - if last year can be used as an indicator - what will happen is that the "official" opening date will be 11/12, but some things will "unofficially" start over the weekend leading up to 11/12 - like IASWH, for example, and maybe the Christmas Fantasy Parade.

 

[Grumpy Grandma]

Now all I need are the dates for CP and CM parties and I can plan my DL vacation for the Christmas decorations and my birthday!!!

 

[Sherry E]

Okay, I saw what Michele is referring to. It is a post/update from "Disneyland Scoop" on Facebook from yesterday, I think, stating that the season dates are 11/12/12 - 1/6/13.

Disneyland Scoop is not an official Disney site, so I'm not sure where they got the dates from - but, that said, I do believe that those will be the dates. Disneyland Scoop may have gotten them from an inside Disney source before Disneyland was ready to officially put them online.

In fact, someone else posted on Disneyland Scoop's update and asked if they were sure of these dates because they aren't posted online yet. Disneyland Scoop did not reply, from what I saw.

 

[tlovesdis]

YAY! We arrive on the 15th!!

 

[kaoden39]

Okay, I saw what Michele is referring to. It is a post/update from "Disneyland Scoop" on Facebook from yesterday, I think, stating that the season dates are 11/12/12 - 1/6/13.

Disneyland Scoop is not an official Disney site, so I'm not sure where they got the dates from - but, that said, I do believe that those will be the dates. Disneyland Scoop may have gotten them from an inside Disney source before Disneyland was ready to officially put them online.

In fact, someone else posted on Disneyland Scoop's update and asked if they were sure of these dates because they aren't posted online yet. Disneyland Scoop did not reply, from what I saw.

Sherry, my guess is they know someone.

 

[minnieandmickey]

Fingers crossed for 11/12 start date. My son is getting married at DL on 11/15!

 

[kaoden39]

Fingers crossed for 11/12 start date. My son is getting married at DL on 11/15!

How romantic!!

 

[TigerlilyAJ]

OK, I'm a little confused on how seriously I should take these dates. Is there any Disney source, like an official Disney blog or AP site or anything with these dates or is it "just" the unofficial Disney Scoop.
I have to ask because I don't want to buy plane tickets until we *know* know. Buuuuut, these dates make me excited because they mean I will get my dream of a 2-week vacation that celebrates Oct 31 in Halloween and ends with Christmas so that skiingfast's spin of seeing H'ween fireworks, the regular ones, and then the Christmas ones all in one trip can come true!

 

[kaoden39]

OK, I'm a little confused on how seriously I should take these dates. Is there any Disney source, like an official Disney blog or AP site or anything with these dates or is it "just" the unofficial Disney Scoop.
I have to ask because I don't want to buy plane tickets until we *know* know. Buuuuut, these dates make me excited because they mean I will get my dream of a 2-week vacation that celebrates Oct 31 in Halloween and ends with Christmas so that skiingfast's spin of seeing H'ween fireworks, the regular ones, and then the Christmas ones all in one trip can come true!

I am going to look around tomorrow on the internet to see what I can find out. Out dates are set in cement anyway, but I really want to know.

 

[JennyN]

Just a quick question, are the dates for CP out yet? When are they normally announced?