Disneyland at Christmas/Holiday Season Superthread #3!- HOLIDAYS BEGIN 11/12/13!!

[tksbaskets]

I'm a few pages behind but I did notice that when I clicked on the link above the times were not listed. As far as I can gather, last year the tours were at 12:30 and 3:15? I'm sure I have that wrong because it says to allow 3 hours for the tour. I also checked out last years schedule and it appears that the Christmas Fantasy parade was twice a day on some days but on many weekdays it was only at 4pm. I'm trying to reconcile seeing parade pictures at night with the fact that the parade was at 4pm (early Dec).....can anyone tell me for sure what times the Holiday Tour takes place and what times the parade takes place? I did check out all of last year's schedules and they just don't add up. I'm a planner and I know we don't NEED reservations for many of our meals but I still like filling out a spreadsheet because I'm geeky like that.

The times seem right for the tour. We've taken both the early and the late. Enjoyed both. The later time you'll be seeing the night parade.

Sherry still laughing about the ice cream. When the next person posted the picutre of the carton I too stared at the snowman. I imagined him staring back and calling to me. I'll have to check the stores here in Michigan!

Loved the picture of the bell ringers.

Sounds like I need to get started with my reservation making. I'm a bit behind on my plans this year.

 

[mom2rtk]

Does anyone know if CP will interfere with parade and tour times that weekend the 7th and 8th?

 

[Sherry E]

TK --

Never trust a snarky, snickering snowman on an ice cream carton!

Does anyone know if CP will interfere with parade and tour times that weekend the 7th and 8th?

Janet --

The schedule from December 2011 would be a good indicator of that. (I think I still have a link to the December 2011 schedule in the Frequently Asked Questions section in post #3 on page 1.) Look at the first full weekend of December (which, if I recall off the top of my head, was 12/3 and 12/4 in that year) and see if the parade times look any different from the parade times on other nights or weekends. I don't think the tour would be affected much, but the parade times may have been shifted. The CP has been going on in Town Square for over 50 years, so I'm sure Disney has the weekend schedule for the 2 nights down to a science at this point. It's just the 20 nights in Town Square that threw everything off last year.

 

[NSmuppetmom]

Thank you SO much for this thread!! I can't begin to imagine how much time and effort (albeit fun effort) have gone into this!!

I have been lurking on this thread for a while. We are planning our first trip to DLR from Dec 22-25 (we are WDW vets) and reading this thread is literally giving me butterflies in my stomach, imagining how much fun my kids (and I) are going to have!!!

Thanks for the great information. I feel like I finally have a good grasp on my plans after studying this thread over the past weekend!!

Thanks again

 

[czmom]

czmom --

I think I mentioned this a while back but I wouldn't think of that first week of December so much as being the week after Thanksgiving as I would just think of it as being the first week of December. I don't think Thanksgiving is going to have anything to do with the opening time for the week after. I think you'll get the 9 AM opening time. When I did the first week of December in 2011, I know that at least Tuesday had a 9 AM opening, so I'm sure that other days did too.

Yep! 9 AM it is

 

[siskaren]

I can see how easily you could almost pass the ice cream by -- the cartons look exactly the same, except for that "Grand" is on one of them and "Slow Churned" is on the other. At a quick glance or passing by hurriedly, I can see how they would appear to be the same product. In the past, Dreyer's used to package the "light" version of the ice cream in a totally different carton. Now I think they are trying to trick people into buying the Slow Churned so they put them in identical cartons!

There are differences in the cartons, although I'll concede they're subtle. The Slow Churned has snowflakes on it, while the Grand has polka dots. Also, only the Grand has the snowman. The pumpkin on the other hand is much more subtle - I think it's just a lighter colored background.

 

[Sherry E]

I'm putting the finishing touches on this week's Theme. I had a delay due to Photobucket, so I am back on track and will have the new theme up soon!

There are differences in the cartons, although I'll concede they're subtle. The Slow Churned has snowflakes on it, while the Grand has polka dots. Also, only the Grand has the snowman. The pumpkin on the other hand is much more subtle - I think it's just a lighter colored background.

siskaren --

The Slow Churned in my stores (both places I have seen it so far, which are CVS and Ralphs) is in a carton exactly like the Grand! There is a snowman on it in the same spot, and it's all the same. Everything is the same except that instead of Slow Churned it says Grand, and in the bottom right-hand corner on the front of the package the number of calories and saturated fat info is different (100 calories vs. 140 or whatever the difference is).

I think Dreyer's/Edy's is trying to drive everyone nuts with all of these crazy versions of ice cream! I almost took a picture of the 2 versions of the ice cream side by side when I was in the store the other day, just so you guys could see how much of the Slow Churned was in stock compared to how little of the Grand was in stock but I didn't because my cell phone takes lousy photos and I didn't have my regular camera with me. Of course, by the time I get back to the store to try to take a picture they will have probably put out the different Slow Churned cartons (without the snowman) on the shelf in place of the snowman cartons!

That is why I almost didn't see the 4th carton of Grand ice cream in Ralphs the other day -- because it was mixed in with the Slow Churned and they all looked exactly the same. The photo that Dreyer's has on its website now shows the "other" carton (which is what I guess you saw when you got your ice cream a while back), and that is the photo that shows on their Facebook page as well. Then again, the Grand flavor doesn't show on their website as being available anywhere in my area, so they are all backwards.

In the old days -- meaning like a few years ago -- Dreyer's put out Peppermint Stick ice cream in a bright pink carton, and the "light" version -- which was not called Peppermint Stick, but just Peppermint, I think -- was in an almost turquoise-ish carton so there was no way to mistake the two.

 

[dreamseeker9]

We are considering going to DLR either Monday, Dec. 2nd or Tuesday, Dec. 3rd. I saw that the official hours came out today for Dec. 2nd. I don't see any special events for DL, no Believe fireworks. I looked at the week before, I only see Fantasmic.

Is DL still doing the fireworks this year? I was really looking forward to seeing it snow on Main Street.

 

[Sherry E]

It’s Monday -- and it’s time for the Theme Week Countdown!!

…3 Weeks Until the
Holiday Season Begins at Disneyland Resort!!!! ​

With each new week will come a different Disneyland Resort holiday theme!

As I have previously mentioned in this Superthread, I’ll be showcasing a particular aspect of DLR's holiday celebration each week until early November. There are still quite a few more themes to come over next few weeks, including 2 main weekly themes (a new one today and on Monday, October 28, 2013); 6 ‘mini-themes’ which will be featured each day from 10/29/13 – 11/3/13, and a final “Holiday Cornucopia” theme on Monday, November 4th (there will be more details about what the “Cornucopia” can include when we get closer to that date!).

Theme Week Countdowns are a great way to keep the photos rolling in on a regular basis and build anticipation for November at the Disneyland Resort! They are also a way to display the different elements, nuances and details of the Holidays at DLR that may be totally new to some visitors...or previously unnoticed/undiscovered by others. Finally, this is an excellent way for our Theme Week Countdown participants to shine a light on their wonderful photos and attract visitors to their Trip Reports, blogs, etc.

Last week, we stepped back in time to see how Christmas was celebrated on Buena Vista Street and in Hollywood Land in the 1920s and 1930s, respectively. We have shown off our best Character photos, Santa photos and PhotoPass photos. We have also sampled the tempting Treats and Treasures offered in the parks for the season. We’ve enjoyed the holidays with a rustic, Western flair in Frontierland and at the Jingle Jangle Jamboree. We have caught glimpses of the special holiday offerings at the three Hotels of the Disneyland Resort. We have also visited the playful, animated, off-kilter world of Mickey’s Toontown. We have reveled in the pageantry of A Christmas Fantasy Parade and gazed in awe at the Believe…In Holiday Magic Fireworks. We have strolled along Main Street to soak in its small town holiday charm, and onward to the sparkling Sleeping Beauty’s Winter Castle, resplendent in snow and icicle lights. We have enjoyed the Yuletide season around the world as we sailed through It’s a Small World Holiday. We have journeyed down the mystical, musical alleys of New Orleans Square and enjoyed Christmas with a Mardi Gras twist, including balconies draped in beads and lampposts adorned with mysterious masks. We have paid a visit to New Orleans Square’s most famous residence and met its temporary houseguest, Jack Skellington, as he attempted to put a bit of a “nightmarish” Halloween spin on the Yuletide season in Haunted Mansion Holiday. Of course, we kicked off this year’s Theme Week Countdown with the many different types of themed Christmas Trees and Wreaths around Disneyland Resort.



So…what will be our twelfth theme of 2013? I’m sure that, by now, you have figured out what’s coming. It shouldn’t be too hard to guess. Rev up those engines, buckle up those seatbelts and kick it into high gear because we are headed to Radiator Springs to deck the halls, automotive style!!

In the Spotlight this Week......

CARS LAND!!!​

Since its grand opening in June of 2012, Cars Land has been at the epicenter of the “re-imagining” of California Adventure, drawing thousands of new guests to that park to experience the wildly imaginative new land.

Much like Toontown and A Bug’s Land, Cars Land’s unique details and design are whimsical, fun and playful, and always full of inside jokes. It is no surprise that the holiday décor in Radiator Springs – the main hub of activity – would be reflective of those traits as well.

Our favorite Cars characters use their surroundings and tools to creatively decorate for the Yuletide season. For example, instead of holly they might use hubcaps. Instead of garland they might use gas cans. The code word is: eyes. And why leave a plate of cookies for Santa when you can give him…carburetors?? The possibilities are endless in this vehicular world.

As is the case with Buena Vista Street, music also plays an important role in the merriment – I guess you could say it is a ‘driving’ force behind the celebration -- except that instead of crooners and Big Bands, in Cars Land the Christmas songs which provide the festive soundtrack for the land have a definite ‘50s and ‘60s flair.

Put your pedal to the metal and visit Cars Land for the holidays!

November and December 2012

​

I will probably post more photos during the week.

Please feel free to post your Cars Land pictures all this week, through Sunday, October 27th!

Then, stay tuned for our thirteenth weekly theme on Monday, October 28th, followed by the lightning round of daily themes beginning on Tuesday, October 29th!! We still have quite a few themes coming up over the next 3 weeks, so get your photos ready!!

 

[wildflower329]

Getting excited! We leave in three weeks and I need to finalize a few plans, but for the most part, we are ready to go! All of the photos are getting me excited for the trip

 

[figment_jii]

Well, after missing a few weeks (busy with Halloween!), here are a few photos from Carsland!

Hubcap Tree:

Cozy Cone Tree:

Sarge's Tree:

Tow Mater Sign:

Stanley Statue and Wreath:

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

More info about World of Color Winter Dreams!!!

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/bl...r-dreams-at-disney-california-adventure-park/

 

[czmom]

More info about World of Color Winter Dreams!!!

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2013/10/pixar-brings-toy-story-nutcracker-to-life-for-world-of-color-winter-dreams-at-disney-california-adventure-park/

That looks great! I am very excited to see this. But also very nervous about crowds. I am hoping it does not draw in huge crowds- although I am sure that is exactly what Disney wants.
Once it starts in November, and crowd levels are reported, I may have to rethink doing a WOC meal.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Here are my pictures

Courthouse Christmas tree

Stanley statue with a Christmas hat and bag or goodies

Luigi’s Flying Tires leaning tower of tires with Christmas lights and garlands

Tire looks like a wreath, wrenches which look like snow flakes and filters that look like garlands

Mater with his Santa Hat

Flo’s V8 Café

Flo’s V8 Café Motor Oil Christmas tree

Flo’s V8 Café Christmas tree inside the restaurant

Radiator Curios (wrong Winter) store

Cozy Cone Motel

Sarge’s Surplus Hut

Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree

Fillmore’s Taste-In Fuel

Cars Land Sign with the Holiday images in the letters

Ramone’s House of Body Art with garlands on the bottom

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

Here are mine for this week

 

[pixleyyy]

Carsland was, in our opinion, the best decorated area in all of Disneyland. After doing WDW for Christmas a few years earlier, we were pretty disappointed by Disneyland's holiday décor, but Carsland was the one exception. It was fabulous! Here's a few of the photos:

 

[julieheyer]

Here are a few of mine from Carsland...we loved it at Christmas time!!

 

[Luisa]

I loved Carsland at Christmas! Everyones pictures are fabulous, its such a festive area.

 

[Elk Grove Chris]

 

[blue888]

I heard back from Disney dining. I asked them about their Christmas Day and Christmas Eve menus. Unfortunately all I got back was a very generic response saying I can book reservations online 60 days in advance. They didn't even address my question Is that a normal response? I don't think they even read my question.

I'm going to call today and see if I can find out more.

On that note: Yay I can start booking tomorrow!! Wohoo 60 days!