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

[Sherry E]

I may end up being at DLR sort of in that same time frame too, but I'll know for sure within the next week, I think. If I get the dates I was eyeing, I'd be there from 12/2 - 12/5, but we'll see.

And I am hoping for anything BUT nice, warm weather! December is for bundling up. Christmas time should not be warm. As a SoCal resident, I have been praying and wishing for cooler weather for months. Whenever it drops down to a nice 68 degrees, it then soars back up to 90 or some crazy thing within a couple of days, and I am just hoping that the weather finally settles into a cooler pattern in late November and sticks with it for a while.

I am planning on being at DLR on either 11/11 or 11/12, to scope out the holiday merriment on Buena Vista Street and in Cars Land. I'll be planning to post some photos after I return, so if you all don't want to see them and want to be surprised, you will have to avert your eyes!

​

Also, welcome, welcome, welcome to LullahBelle! Thank you so much for joining us here. I'm glad this thread (and the previous 'unofficial' Christmas thread) has been of help to you! I think you picked a good time for the tour as well - that 3:15 time slot will allow you to be near the It's a Small World Holiday facade when it is lit up in the colored lights, which is magnificent!

​

There's a new Theme Week Countdown tomorrow morning, folks, so get your photos ready!

 

[Sherry E]

I switched the sequence of upcoming themes to make sure that Bret/mvf-m11c would be able to participate in this week’s theme before heading off for his WDW trip!!





It’s time for the Weekly Monday Countdown!!!

...Only 21 Days Until the
Holiday Season Begins at Disneyland Resort!!!!​

And with the new week comes a new DLR holiday theme!!

As I’ve mentioned, I’ll be showcasing a particular area of interest of DLR's holiday celebration each week until the 2012 season officially begins on Monday, November 12th!! There are many more themes to come over the next three weeks, including three main weekly themes set for Monday, October 22nd, Monday, October 29th and Monday, November 5th; six ‘mini-themes’ which will be featured each day from 11/6 – 11/11, and a final ‘Miscellaneous’ theme on Monday, November 12th (with a catchier name than “Miscellaneous,” though!).

Theme Week Countdowns are a great way to keep the photos rolling in on a regular basis and build anticipation for 11/12! Also, this is a way to display the different aspects and details of the holidays at DLR that may be totally new to some people...or previously unnoticed/undiscovered by others.

Last week, we visited the playful, colorful, off-kilter world of Mickey’s Toontown. The week before that we reveled in the pageantry of A Christmas Fantasy Parade and gazed in awe at the Believe…In Holiday Magic Fireworks. Prior to that we enjoyed the Yuletide season around the globe as we sailed through It’s a Small World Holiday. The week before that strolled through the mysterious, music-filled alleys of New Orleans Square, where Christmas is observed with Mardi Gras flair. The week before that we explored Jack Skellington’s twisted (though well-meaning) vision of bringing two holidays together in the Haunted Mansion Holiday ride. The week before that we visited the rustic holiday celebration at Santa’s Reindeer Round-Up. The week before that, we searched for signs of Christmas in California Adventure – a park that is sure to look very different this November. The week before that we soaked in the small town American charm of Main Street.



What’s next?

Today, let’s turn the spotlight on the vibrant, stunning and sometimes wacky staples of the Disneyland Resort Holiday season......

In the Spotlight this Week......

CHRISTMAS TREES!!!​

As I learned from a local morning news show in Los Angeles a few years ago, there are approximately 700 Christmas trees at the Disneyland Resort - including in both parks, at all 3 hotels and in Downtown Disney. These beautiful symbols of the season come in wide variety, consisting of all sizes, textures and themes. There are very small trees featured in window displays. There are huge trees welcoming people through the gates of Disneyland or greeting guests in hotel lobbies. There are trees in almost every restaurant and shop. There are trees inside It’s a Small World Holiday. There are trees filled with a bounty of ornaments, while others are rather bare. There are trees which look as though they were made of sweet confections, or even made of paper. There are trees in plain view, and others in unexpectedly hidden locations. There are trees which follow the traditional red/green light pattern, while others feature very theme-specific colors and decorations.

From the elegant to the eccentric…from the stately to the silly...from the towering to the tiny…from the magnificent to the mediocre…the Christmas tree is ever present around Disneyland Resort.

In the last couple of years, I’ve put forth a challenge to everyone to participate in “Tree Quest” – the quest to find as many of the 700+ trees as you can while visiting DLR. There have been some interesting results, and I suspect that with the new holiday decorations packages in Cars Land and on Buena Vista Street this year, the Christmas tree landscape will become even more diverse and yield some wonderful discoveries! The fun element to this quest is that no matter how many trees we all are able to locate – and remember to look for them everywhere, even in out of the way corners – no one has ever managed to locate all 700 (that I know of).

If you are visiting Disneyland Resort for the holiday season, take a little time to admire the Christmas trees!

Stay tuned for a new theme starting on Monday, October 29th!! Some great themes are coming up in the next few weeks!




This is my first ‘tree post’ for the week – I will likely post more pictures later today or as the week progresses!

California Adventure (2011)…

Main Street (2011)…

Santa’s Reindeer Round-Up…

(2011)

(2010)

Paradise Pier Hotel (2011…

Grand Californian Hotel (2011)…

Main Street Window Display (2011)…

Golden Horseshoe (2010)…

It’s a Small World Holiday (2010)…

New Orleans Square (2010)…

Pooh Corner (2009)…

Disneyland Hotel photo display (2010)…

Goofy’s Kitchen (2010)…

Coke Corner (2010)…

White Water Snacks (2010)…

Downtown Disney (2010)…

World of Disney (2010)…

Marceline’s Confectionery (2010)…

​

Please feel free to post your photos of Disneyland Resort’s Christmas trees all this week!

 

[Elk Grove Chris]

 

[pattyduke34]

Here are a few I took last year 2011 on our trip..

The Candlight Procession trees

Main Street

Tree in one of the stores on Main Street

Paradise Pier

Another store on Main Street

 

[kylie71]

Wish I was going this Thanksgiving like the last 2... I went in Sept, Labor Day weekend, but really need a do-over trip.

I have many of these tree pics, from Tree Quest 2011, thanks Sherry. That was so much fun!

Lori

 

[lurpee]

Finally uploaded some December 2006 pictures to Photobucket! Hope this works!
Toon Town Tree--December 2006

Main Street--December 2006

 

[lurpee]

Elk GTrove Chris, Are you a professional photographer? Your pictures are fantastic!
Kerri

 

[Mouse13]

I love all the Christmas tree photos! I believe that the Goofy's Kitchen one is my favorite so far.

This morning I booked the Walk in Walt's Footsteps tour for myself, DH, and DS for Thanksgiving Day. I hope some other Dis'ers will be joining us. This will be our first visit during the holiday season and I can hardly wait. We arrive on Wednesday, 11/21, and get to stay in the magic until Wednesday, 11/28. I know it will be crazy crowded but we know what to expect and each day we're there I believe we'll see a reduction in crowds. We haven't visited since March 2012 and there are so many new things we'll get to experience. Counting down the days!!!

 

[Mommy2PrincessAbby]

Anyone else getting concerned about how they are going to do the parade with CP at night too?? They don't have the parade up on the calendar (Dec 1-3 is up) yet... but they do have PPP up... I am wondering if they will have to do afternoon only so as not to interfere with evening CP? Any guesses on this?

 

[mellers]

Anyone else getting concerned about how they are going to do the parade with CP at night too?? They don't have the parade up on the calendar (Dec 1-3 is up) yet... but they do have PPP up... I am wondering if they will have to do afternoon only so as not to interfere with evening CP? Any guesses on this?

My guess (and it is ONLY that) is that they will cancel the parade on Candlelight Processional days, or, like you said, only do the afternoon parade.

 

[Mommy2PrincessAbby]

My guess (and it is ONLY that) is that they will cancel the parade on Candlelight Processional days, or, like you said, only do the afternoon parade.

Well since the cp is every night in December practically that is why I am worried... I had hoped to see the parade at night especially since afternoon messes with naps but we'll deal. I'd hate to miss it completely.

 

[DTDkettleCORNfan]

Love the Christmas Tree pictures everyone! Thanks for sharing. Those Marceline's candy trees are fantastic. Never seen those before.

 

[danimaroo]

I'm concerned about the parade, as well. We'll be there from Nov. 29th-Dec. 2nd, and I'm surprised that on November 30th, there are no parades listed on the Disneyland Park Hours site.

This seems bizarre to me. We were planning on doing the Holiday Time Tour on the 30th, and a huge benefit of that would be the reserved seating for the parade.

I'm a WDW-veteran, so I'm not sure how the Park Hours site is normally... but do you guys think this will change? November 30th is not a Candlelight Processional night, which is why I'm confused.

 

[ttig34]

Since someone mentioned Disney will be offering an Ultimate Holiday Tour which will include everything from the regular tour, plus tickets to CP- I would venture to guess there will still be a parade. But perhaps it will only be in the afternoon.
Have a feeling they may still be trying to figure all of this out.

 

[DizNee Luver]

Paradise Pier Tree:

Christmas Parade Tree:

Trees up by the Big Thunder Ranch:

The tree behind the Tour Guides Building:

Downtown Disney Tree:

DTD Business Trees:

Santa spot at the DLH:

A couple trees in the DLH gift shop:

DLH, Fantasy~ Main Tower/Lobby Tree:

DLH, Adventure Tower Tree:

DLH, Frontier Tower Tree:

 

[DizNee Luver]

DTD Tree:

GCH Trees outside:

Main Street Tree:

Pooh's Corner Tree:

Court of Angels Tree in NOS:

Coke Corner Tree:

GCH Gift Shop Tree:

GCH Tree:

And my favorite tree~~PPH Tree:

Close up of PPH:

 

[mydisneymoney]

Ok, couple of questions. I posted these on the main board but have not had much response.

1. What is the Holiday Time Tour like? Will my DS7 like it or will he be bored? How long is it? I know you get VIP entrance to HM and IASW and reserved seats for the parade. What else? Is it worth my money for a 7 year old?
2. Anyone know what the discount is for the tour if you use AAA?
3. Do you pay for the tour when you book it?

 

[focusondisney]

Ok, couple of questions. I posted these on the main board but have not had much response.

1. What is the Holiday Time Tour like? Will my DS7 like it or will he be bored? How long is it? I know you get VIP entrance to HM and IASW and reserved seats for the parade. What else? Is it worth my money for a 7 year old?
2. Anyone know what the discount is for the tour if you use AAA?
3. Do you pay for the tour when you book it?

Hi! I called about this tour yesterday. I can't comment too much, since I haven't done it yet. But the CM said it was about 3 hours long. You get a discount with an AP, AAA or Disney Visa. Cost is $54.40 per person with the discount. I know there have been some reports on this tour. Try doing a search on this thread or on the DL board. You do give your credit card number when you book. I don't know if they charge it right away or not til the day of the tour. And I think you have to cancel 24 hours before.

I don't know about a 7 yo on the tour. I have done several tours @ both WDW & but never had children on any of them. Sorry I don't have more info for you.

 

[DizNee Luver]

Ok, couple of questions. I posted these on the main board but have not had much response.

1. What is the Holiday Time Tour like? Will my DS7 like it or will he be bored? How long is it? I know you get VIP entrance to HM and IASW and reserved seats for the parade. What else? Is it worth my money for a 7 year old?
2. Anyone know what the discount is for the tour if you use AAA?
3. Do you pay for the tour when you book it?

I did this tour by myself last December and highly recommend it!!

Tour & Pics
Starts Post #479

 

[Sherry E]

Fortunately, there is no need to do a search of this thread or of the board to get holiday tour info!

In addition to the link Laurie just gave you (thank you for that, Laurie!), just go to Page 1, Post #3 of this thread for information. All roads lead back to Page 1 - the Information page! Look under the "Holiday Tour" category in Post #3 and you will find all sorts of info (including recaps/reviews)!

In fact, I'm going to add in Laurie's tour information under that same category in a few minutes!