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

[Sherry E]

I emailed DL guest relations earlier this week, asking about the Holiday Time at DL tour. This is hot off the press as I just rec'd the email 20 mins ago.

Holiday Time at Disneyland Tour:

Immerse yourself in a winter wonderland of Disney Magic as you experience the best of the Merriest Place on Earth!
If you love DIsneyland Park and you love the holidays, this tour is for you!

Highlights:
This tour includes two popular holiday themed attractions, reserved seating for "A Christmas Fantasy" Parade a delicious treat and warm beverage, a collectible pin and tour tag.

Details:
Tour length: approx 3 hours
Each tour has a limited availability of 15 Guests per tour
Runs from November 14th through January 8th.

Price:

$68.00 per person
A 20% disco8nt is offered per person for Annual Passholders, AAA members, Disney Rewards Visa and Disney Vacation Club members

I've also been sent all the details of all the tours that Disney offers, and was wondering if I should post this info in the DL forum for anyone thinking about taking a tour while visiting DL.

Have a great day!!

Trish

Trish -

It's going to confuse people to post it elsewhere, I think. Those dates do not sound right, as the tour usually begins on the first day of the season (always a Friday or a Monday) and 11/14 is a Thursday this year, while January 8, 2014 is mid-week (the season always ends on a Sunday).

I don't think that's updated info. The Guest Relations Dept. never has the actual new info this early in the year. In fact, the Cast Members we get on the phone and in e-mail are often the last to know anything (sadly for us!). The actual season dates have not even been announced yet (booooo!), so there's no way the Cast Members would have updated info on the tour.

All of the other details seem to the same as always with the tour, though!

 

[Sherry E]

How is it that a week ago my "storage limit" in my Pro Photobucket account was 39%, and now it's 64% -- even though I have not loaded a single thing to the account recently? Weird. Photobucket is ridiculous.

Thanks Sherry! You're so nice =) and a great memory too!!

We are hoping to go again this year at Xmas, but probably a much shorter trip as we are going to try the Halloween party this year for the first time! Yay! I just cannot imagine not going for at least a day for Xmas at DL.

crystal1313 -

You're very welcome! And thank you for the kind words. I have a pretty good memory, although it is getting fuzzier as age takes over!

You definitely stuck out in my mind because you had a very similar Candlelight Ceremony experience to what I had in terms of getting a seat, so I know that I wasn't the only one who had luck with it, and that there's a chance others could have luck too (assuming the CP is still held in Town Square and the seating set-up is the same).

I'll definitely be there at some point during Halloween Time, and I will go to one of the parties too. I don't know which one yet - depends on the exact dates of the party - but I will be there. Maybe we will end up there at the same time! Halloween Time is so much fun and I hope it becomes bigger and better.

I know what you mean - it's hard to not go to DLR during the holidays for at least a day. It's addictive, I think. I've done that - when I knew that I could not pull off a hotel stay I went for the day (it was a long day, though), and I will do that again if a hotel is not in the cards. Of course, being able to stay for a few days - especially at a Disney hotel - makes a big difference in my enjoyment of the trip, but I have to at least get a dose of holiday magic, Disney style, so if it comes in the form of a day trip I will do that.

Hi Sherry--

I am fairly new to posting on the board, but I have been a LONG time lurker, especially to the Christmas thread. A HUGE "Thankyou" to you, for your time and efforts to help keep us informed.

I have learned invaluable information due to your advice, and the tips of others here. We also favor the PPH at Christmas!

To Stubby--

Personally, I would book now, and then closely watch for specials and promotions which might take your price down. We've done this in the past, and have had NO problem modifying a reservation to a lower rate. Just my two cents.

Cheshirecatty -

You're welcome! Thank you so much for the kind words. I'm glad you came out of lurkdom and joined in. And I am so happy to know that this thread was of help and value to you in some way.

The more people we can gather here to exchange info, experiences, photos, etc., the better! It only serves to help others who are planning their holiday trips - especially the ones who are planning first-time holiday trips!

You're absolutely right - booking a room early and then waiting for discounts to come out is a good plan. I've done that too, where I called and applied different discounts when they were released. And if you book a room-only reservation (as opposed to a package), you have even more of a window of time to make changes to the reservation without a penalty. The package time frames are a little more limited, I think (unless that has changed).

Here is a picture for you (and for anyone else who has stayed at the PPH or is planning to stay at the PPH during the season), because you will understand it. It's that very first glimpse of the gorgeous PPH Christmas tree that you get before entering the hotel! I love the tree! It's not even possible to really glimpse the GCH tree through any doors before entering the lobby:

Sherry I know what's it's like to be busy. I'm currently balancing my recovery with doing a ton of volunteering over the next 5 weeks (supporting our fav political party during an election). Was told by my Physiotherapist today I'm 75% recovered, and realistically have 6 more weeks of physio left, and will be fully recovered from the accident (YAHOO!!!). I've had such a miserable, frustrating year, that I'm contemplating doing both the Fantasmic Desert package and the Holiday tour to reward myself for surviving the year on my trip (that and the fact I turn 50 a couple weeks after I return from my trip). Have a great day everyone!!

Trish -

It's great to hear that the recovery is proceeding nicely. It will be a relief for you to put that whole accident behind you.

It should be interesting to learn whether or not there will be a Christmas party this year, and if so, how it will affect Fantasmic and/or the parade (which is part of the tour). I still wish they would start the party in DCA, but I don't suppose any of the creative wizards at TDA will listen to me (though I know that the Parks Blog/social media people are aware of this thread)!

Sherry Big Mahalo for taking the time to write out this awesome thread.

Kauai4life -

Thank you so much for the kind words, and welcome! I can only hope that the thread helps.

Thank you sherry for the description! We will have to visit the GCH! We can't afford it this trip but can't wait to see it again in all its holiday glory!

Autty40 -

You're welcome! Yes, by all means, make sure to visit the GCH to soak in the holiday cheer. I really feel that the GCH rooms are small and kind of cramped so I don't miss staying in them when I stay at the PPH. But, the GCH lobby environment during the holiday season definitely beats out the other two hotels' lobby environments! The Disneyland Hotel has lower ceilings, so it cannot have gigantic, towering trees in its tower lobbies. Therefore, the DLH trees end up looking a little underwhelming in comparison to the GCH and PPH trees. But each hotel is worth a visit for the different decorations and the Santa photo opportunities.

 

[Autty40]

Autty40 -

You're welcome! Yes, by all means, make sure to visit the GCH to soak in the holiday cheer. I really feel that the GCH rooms are small and kind of cramped so I don't miss staying in them when I stay at the PPH. But, the GCH lobby environment during the holiday season definitely beats out the other two hotels' lobby environments! The Disneyland Hotel has lower ceilings, so it cannot have gigantic, towering trees in its tower lobbies. Therefore, the DLH trees end up looking a little underwhelming in comparison to the GCH and PPH trees. But each hotel is worth a visit for the different decorations and the Santa photo opportunities.

I didnt even think about the different santas! That will be great to have pictures of my daughter with all the santas! I'm even more excited now!

 

[Phoenixrising]

It figures that they sent me old info about the Holiday tour. If that info is dated, then so is the rest of the general tour info they gave me in the email too. At least I've got general info about the tour, costs and when to book, which is something. Oh well, at least I did try to get the current Holiday tour info. Am looking to forward when they start releasing the Christmas time info. Hopefully the sooner the better.

 

[Sherry E]

I didnt even think about the different santas! That will be great to have pictures of my daughter with all the santas! I'm even more excited now!

Oh yes! Santa appears in both parks as soon as the season officially begins in mid-November. Then he appears at each one of the hotels closer to Thanksgiving. So if you are there after Thanksgiving your daughter will have 5 Santas to look forward to! That's been one of my goals for a while -- to get pictures with all 5 Santas in one trip. I haven't done it yet, but one day I will. I call it "Santa Quest"!

Here is a post I put together in the previous Superthread, with a breakdown of the Santa locations and info about them: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=46851199&postcount=3621.

I visited DLR again a few days after I posted that and took more pictures of Santa's chairs at the GCH and PPH, but you get the general idea.

 

[Sherry E]

It figures that they sent me old info about the Holiday tour. If that info is dated, then so is the rest of the general tour info they gave me in the email too. At least I've got general info about the tour, costs and when to book, which is something. Oh well, at least I did try to get the current Holiday tour info. Am looking to forward when they start releasing the Christmas time info. Hopefully the sooner the better.

Last year, Escape2Disney was trying to find out holiday tour info and some Disney CM gave her the Halloween tour information! She was posting about how she wasn't going to get to go on IASW Holiday with priority loading because it wasn't part of the tour, and I pointed out to her that Disney gave her Halloween tour info.

Remember that by clicking on some of the tour-related links I put on page 1 (in the Seasonal Activities/Entertainment) post, you can find out a lot of info. That Parks Blog about the tour from 2012 has relevant info. That's the most recent info there is until anything new comes out. That's why I put all of that info there - so people have something to reference until we get any new scoop!

Not much has changed with the tour in the last couple of years, so the price and highlights are pretty much the same, but it looks like the Disney Guest Relations folks gave you the dates from 2 years ago! I think that the season started on 11/14 in 2011! They didn't even give you the info from last year.

 

[Phoenixrising]

It boggles my mind that knowing that I was interested in booking both the Fantasmic desert package and the holiday tour, that they give me info that was so outdated. I know that the holiday tour get's booked 30 days out, but does the Fantasmic desert package get booked 30 or 60 days out??? I've never booked any tour or anything of this nature before, that's why I'm so confused about the whole process. If I know what the timelines are, I can make a note what to book when. Thanks for all the help regarding this.

 

[Sherry E]

It boggles my mind that knowing that I was interested in booking both the Fantasmic desert package and the holiday tour, that they give me info that was so outdated. I know that the holiday tour get's booked 30 days out, but does the Fantasmic desert package get booked 30 or 60 days out??? I've never booked any tour or anything of this nature before, that's why I'm so confused about the whole process. If I know what the timelines are, I can make a note what to book when. Thanks for all the help regarding this.

Disney is known for giving out incorrect information or conflicting information over the phone and via e-mail early on! It happens a lot. But, I would think, if the CM has been working there for more than a year he/she would know that they do not get the dates for certain seasonal things until later in the year. They should know that they don't have any info about the 2013 holiday season now, and yet they gave you info that was 2 years old!

(Even the "Make their season bright" banner across the top of the page that I am currently looking at here on the DIS - which leads to DISboards' own Dreams Unlimited page - is showing last year's holiday dates. The dates have not been removed by Dreams Unlimited!)

I would suspect that the season will end on Sunday, January 5th, 2014. As for when it starts (and when the tour starts), it will be somewhere between Friday, November 8th and Friday, November 15th. It could even start on Monday, 11/11/13 (Veterans Day).

I think that you can book the Fantasmic dessert package 30 days out, so when it hits the 30-day mark Disney should definitely have info on whether or not there will be a Christmas party and if so, will it affect the Fantasmic showings, etc.

Laurie/DizNee Luver just recently did the Fantasmic package on her late Winter/pre-Spring trip, and she was saying that you pretty much have to get on the phone as soon as your 30-day window opens up to book it because the packages go fast!

I think that Bret/mvf-m11c has done the F! package in the past too.

 

[Autty40]

Oh yes! Santa appears in both parks as soon as the season officially begins in mid-November. Then he appears at each one of the hotels closer to Thanksgiving. So if you are there after Thanksgiving your daughter will have 5 Santas to look forward to! That's been one of my goals for a while -- to get pictures with all 5 Santas in one trip. I haven't done it yet, but one day I will. I call it "Santa Quest"!

Here is a post I put together in the previous Superthread, with a breakdown of the Santa locations and info about them: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=46851199&postcount=3621.

I visited DLR again a few days after I posted that and took more pictures of Santa's chairs at the GCH and PPH, but you get the general idea.

Oh my goodness! They are all amazing! We'll be there November 18-21 so I'll get the Santas that are in the parks. There's always next year for the other Santas! Thank you so much for all the info and wonderful pictures.

 

[OhioStateBuckeye]

Thanks for all the advice Sherry Now that you mentioned the Walking Dead thread in this Christmas thread, I am also kind of thinking that Walking Dead needs to do a cheesy Christmas special.

You know, like Carl rediscovers the spirit of Christmas. Or the three ghosts of Christmas visit Rick (Lori, Shane and Andrea).

 

[Sherry E]

Oh my goodness! They are all amazing! We'll be there November 18-21 so I'll get the Santas that are in the parks. There's always next year for the other Santas! Thank you so much for all the info and wonderful pictures.

Autty40 -

You're welcome! I spend a lot of my time at DLR taking pictures of things that I think may come up or may be of interest/assistance in this specific thread (and in other threads), so it's always nice when I finally have a chance to use some of them!

Yes, you'll definitely get the two park Santas. If Thanksgiving were not happening so late in November this year, you might have even had a good shot at seeing the 3 Santas and some of the hotel decorations towards the end of your trip. But because of the extra-late Thanksgiving this time around, I'm not exactly sure if the hotels will be decorated a little ahead of schedule or by the very beginning of December. Somehow, waiting until 11/29 and beyond to put up the hotels' decor (and Santa photo spots) seems really late to me, but even if all of that stuff went up early it might not be early enough for you to catch it if your last day is 11/21.

I constantly wonder why the hotels don't get their decorations at the same time that the parks do, but they are always running behind. The GCH gets decorated first (usually immediately after Thanksgiving; the DLH gets decorated next; and the PPH is last).

In any case, at least you will get to experience the two parks' holiday festivities and decor - which is basically what people want to see, for the most part! As you said, there's always next year to meet the other Santas.

Thanks for all the advice Sherry Now that you mentioned the Walking Dead thread in this Christmas thread, I am also kind of thinking that Walking Dead needs to do a cheesy Christmas special.

You know, like Carl rediscovers the spirit of Christmas. Or the three ghosts of Christmas visit Rick (Lori, Shane and Andrea).

OhioStateBuckeye -

...Or, it could be a sort of "Gift of the Magi" premise, in which Carl sells his beloved hat to buy a new sheath for Michonne's sword, unaware that Michonne has sold her prized sword to buy Carl a new, snazzy, shiny knick knack/accessory/thingy for his hat! (Of course, I don't know how or why anyone would be buying or selling anything on that show, since money is pretty much worthless.)

It could be called "A Very Special Episode" of TWD! I do love me some holiday TV fare, but I think that would be a clear case of jumping the shark...or the zombie.


Have you decided if you are going to try the immediately-after-Thanksgiving time frame to do your holiday Disneyland trip, or are you going to wait until further into December?

 

[aidensmom31]

Got our APs. One step closer to Christmas in Disneyland

 

[Pesky]

Ack, glad I checked here! I didn't realize that F! dessert packages opened up 60 days out versus 30 like most. Is there anything else that opens up earlier than 30 days? We are looking at BBB, some character meals, TS meals including Napa Rose and, of course, the Holiday tour. Thanks!

 

[BunnieGene]

I've only been able to reserve the F! Dessert package at 30 days out, but haven't been to it in 2 or 3 years...

 

[Sherry E]

Got our APs. One step closer to Christmas in Disneyland

aidensmom31 -

Yay! I think you got your passes just in time too. They should probably be going up in price next month (or by June, at the latest). You'll have a wonderful time at DLR for the holidays!

For some reason I put myself on an AP cycle where it expires in early/mid-November - usually right at the very start of the holiday season, which doesn't make sense for me because I usually do my primary holiday trip in December. I might go for a single day in November in certain years, but I save the really special trip for December. I need to time out the whole AP schedule a little better. If I let it lapse without renewing right away and then get a new AP in early December, I can feasibly squeeze two years' worth of December holiday trips onto one AP!

​

Bunnie Gene & Pesky -

You are probably both 100% right, in that the F! package can only be booked at 30 days out (which is why I said "someone correct me if I'm wrong," because I couldn't recall exactly!). I thought I had heard/read 60, but I don't have personal experience with the F! package so I would not know.

I actually think that 30 days makes more "Disney sense" (though it is frustrating for the people who want to plan) if there is going to be any tinkering with the usual holiday roster of events. Disney may still be fine-tuning the schedule up to the 30-day point.

In any case, the packages apparently get snapped up fast so act quickly as soon as you narrow down the day you want to do the F! package!

I don't know about Napa Rose but I thought that Disneyland Dining used to allow reservations for the other restaurants (including character meals) at the 60-day point. Do they still do that? The last time I made a character meal reservation was in December 2011, but I made it pretty close to when we were going to be there so it was well under 30 days. They had done the 60-day out thing at one point, though (if they are not still doing it).

​

Here is a question for everyone - I'll be interested to hear the different opinions and thoughts!!


Who out there really enjoys the holiday season in general (in or out of Disneyland)? And when I say "enjoys the holiday season," I think it can be broken down into different categories or levels. Which level or category is closest to YOU, and does it affect or impact your Disneyland holiday trip planning at all? For example:

Level 1. You love Christmas so much that you think about it in non-holiday months (like April!). You might sneak in a viewing of "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" in the middle of July, and you love it if Christmas-y things pop up at unexpected times of year. You can't wait for Christmas to get here. You mentally start planning out what you're going to do and eat, how you're going to decorate, and where you're going to go for the holiday season waaaaay in advance (like now). When Christmas finally arrives, you are totally reveling in the holiday TV shows, music & movies, the holiday food, the holiday lights, the Christmas sweaters, etc.;

Level 2. You don't think about Christmas at all anytime before Fall or Halloween, but you really love it when it finally arrives. You love the celebration when it's here, but not a second sooner. You love the seasonal offerings and soaking in the beauty of it all, but as soon as January hits you are relieved Christmas/the holiday season is behind you and that you don't have to worry about it for another 11 months; and

Level 3. You merely tolerate the holiday season because you have to (for the kids, for the spouse, for the whomever) and you plan out what to do for the season because it's expected. You may even dread the season's arrival a little bit because it's stressful in terms of shopping, money, entertaining, cooking/baking, traveling, etc. But, you roll with it and eagerly await January.

​

 

[Sherry E]

Bunnie Gene & Pesky -

Yes, you both are absolutely right - and I'm so glad someone pointed it out and caught it before we got too much further in the thread! Thank you! I'm going to go back and change where I mistakenly put 60 days.

Here is the post in DizNee Luver's latest TR (a non-holiday TR, from late Winter/pre-Spring) in which she talks about her experience with the F! dessert package and says that you can book at 30 days out! - http://disboards.com/showpost.php?p=47376100&postcount=56

 

[Pesky]

Thanks for the word on the time frame.

Here is a question for everyone - I'll be interested to hear the different opinions and thoughts!!


Who out there really enjoys the holiday season in general (in or out of Disneyland)? And when I say "enjoys the holiday season," I think it can be broken down into different categories or levels. Which level or category is closest to YOU, and does it affect or impact your Disneyland holiday trip planning at all? For example:

1. You love Christmas so much that you think about it in non-holiday months (like April!). You might sneak in a viewing of "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" in the middle of July, and you love it if Christmas-y things pop up at unexpected times of year. You can't wait for Christmas to get here. You mentally start planning out what you're going to do and eat, how you're going to decorate, and where you're going to go for the holiday season waaaaay in advance (like now). When Christmas finally arrives, you are totally reveling in the holiday TV shows, music & movies, the holiday food, the holiday lights, the Christmas sweaters, etc.;

2. You don't think about Christmas at all anytime before Fall or Halloween, but you really love it when it finally arrives. You love the celebration when it's here, but not a second sooner. You love the seasonal offerings and soaking in the beauty of it all, but as soon as January hits you are relieved Christmas/the holiday season is behind you and that you don't have to worry about it for another 11 months; and

3. You merely tolerate the holiday season because you have to (for the kids, for the spouse, for the whomever) and you plan out what to do for the season because it's expected. You may even dread the season's arrival a little bit because it's stressful in terms of shopping, money, entertaining, cooking/baking, traveling, etc. But, you roll with it and eagerly await January.

​

I'm a weird mix of mostly #1 and a little #2. I'll start shopping on Dec. 26th for the following Christmas! I really love Christmas but I swear it is kind of like a military deployment figuring out gifts and shipping them -- and I just buy gifts for family! Plus the decorations are lovely but it is a lot of work to get them out, put them up, and then take them all down. I love them while they are up and while DH would leave the tree up until July (although he doesn't want to hear about Christmas until Black Friday), I want it down right after Christmas. Eh, to each their own...

 

[meddockian]

Hello, everyone! I've been lurking here for about two years!

Anyway, we are taking our family (Son - 5, Daughter - 2) to Disneyland during Christmas this year. We are thinking 12/21 - 12/26 or 12/31 - 1/5. Is there ANY different in crowds at all or is it just madness either way? We will be staying at PPH.

 

[Sherry E]

Thanks for the word on the time frame.



I'm a weird mix of mostly #1 and a little #2. I'll start shopping on Dec. 26th for the following Christmas! I really love Christmas but I swear it is kind of like a military deployment figuring out gifts and shipping them -- and I just buy gifts for family! Plus the decorations are lovely but it is a lot of work to get them out, put them up, and then take them all down. I love them while they are up and while DH would leave the tree up until July (although he doesn't want to hear about Christmas until Black Friday), I want it down right after Christmas. Eh, to each their own...

Pesky -

No problem! I think I must have had the '60-day' time frame for F! stuck in my head because I was confusing it with the actual dining reservations (which are, I think, still 60-days)!

There are some great sales on December 26th so it is a good time to stock up on some things for the next holiday season!

See, I would think that most folks fall in line with what you said, and are in the #2 category of Christmas/general holiday season enjoyment. That would be my guess.

But more and more over the last few years I have read and heard a lot of sentiment that seems to indicate a large #3 following! Every year I know I am going to read grumblings on Facebook or hear people complain on TV about Christmas stuff showing up in late September or October -- even when they don't mind the Halloween stuff popping up in late August!

So I began to see that a lot of folks are becoming disenchanted with Christmas or the whole holiday season in general. I assumed that it was because of the stress -- stress of buying, wrapping, shipping, decorating, cooking, entertaining, traveling, having to see people they might not want to see any other time of year, etc. Trying to buy things for children when money is tight. That sort of thing. I think that people feel an immense amount of pressure at Christmas time and therefore they dread it and can't enjoy it.

Personally -- and anyone who has read any of my holiday trip reports knows this -- I am in the #1 camp. I will actually get giddy for a moment if I see that an unexpected Christmas movie marathon has popped up in July! After the first few months of the year pass and I have some Christmas-free time, I am usually eager for the next holiday season to arrive and I don't mind if holiday things start to appear in stores in September!!

However, I will freely admit that I have been on both sides of the issue over the years -- where I felt tremendous stress and pressure to buy, spend, wrap, decorate, etc., and alternately where I didn't really have to buy anything or do anything other than simply enjoy the season! I am more in the latter camp now, where I don't have to buy anything or go anywhere I don't want to go. Money is tight, so there are big limitations. I don't have to see anyone I don't want to see. It's liberating, to a large degree, and it allows me to really appreciate all of the wonderful, free (often superficial) things that come along with the whole holiday season, like lights, decorations, holiday entertainment, trees put up around town, music, etc. If I were in a position once again where I was actually under pressure to do certain things I might take myself out of Category #1 and move to another category!

 

[Sherry E]

Hello, everyone! I've been lurking here for about two years!

Anyway, we are taking our family (Son - 5, Daughter - 2) to Disneyland during Christmas this year. We are thinking 12/21 - 12/26 or 12/31 - 1/5. Is there ANY different in crowds at all or is it just madness either way? We will be staying at PPH.

Welcome, meddockian! Thank you for coming out of lurkdom to join in!

Well, my first inclination is to say that the 12/31 - 1/5 time frame would be ever so slightly better (just a 'lesser of 2 evils' sort of thing) because some people will have to go home after New Year's Day. (New Year's Eve will be extremely crowded.) However, I have been told by quite a few DIS'ers on this board that the crowds are still pretty heavy beyond New Year's Day and into that first week of January due to assorted school breaks. Only one or two people stated what I thought, which is that the crowds died down a wee bit after New Year's.

A lot of people will be arriving in that 12/21 - 12/26 time frame to celebrate their holiday breaks in the parks and I think that will be a really crowded period of time.

Both time frames will be pretty busy -- I think there is no getting around that -- but you may, possibly, encounter a few less people in the latter time slot. You'll have several days in the parks either way, so you should be able to get most things done despite the crowds.