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

[mrsw94]

Thirteen days until our trip!! We live in the Bay Area, and the tree lighting ceremony is this weekend at Pier 39. We got to see Mickey and Co sing Christmas songs and light up the tree! It was nice to have to be able to have our girls know they'd be seeing him in just a couple weeks. Good thing, too, because right at noon, when the greetings started, the line to meet Mickey was at least an hour (probably more). I was glad my DD4 was ok with not waiting since we will see him in DL so soon. Still, very cute. This was our first year going, and I think we started a new tradition.

Well darn! I wish I'd known about that! We leave in 3 weeks, but the kids don't know about it. Can't wait!

 

[tiffjoy]

Well darn! I wish I'd known about that! We leave in 3 weeks, but the kids don't know about it. Can't wait!

They have it again tomorrow! I highly recommend it. If you save a spot around 5:30 near the stage, the show starts at 6:00 and lasts about 15 minutes. We didn't know about the show, so we didn't save spots but watched from the second floor balcony of the aquarium. Next time, we will save spots.

 

[Phoenixrising]

I'm back from the snow and Ice (Edmonton). It was 10 below zero when we arrived BRRR!! The kids had way too much fun in the snow today, having a pile of snowball fights. The wedding was amazing, and it meant a great deal to the happy couple that we came to their wedding. Wished we could have stayed longer, but am now warming up here before heading to DL tomorrow where it's actually warm. Both kids had problems equalizing their ears on the flights, but I was better prepared this time and got Earplanes for the kids, as well as some decongestants. The combo seemed to work. But DS9 was determined not to wear them, and decending through 20,000 feet his ears blocked solid tonight on the return flight. Once I put the earplanes in his ears started to equalize again, so they really do work. He probably has inflamed eardrums, so DH will take him to our doc to get them looked at next week. DH was skeptical that the earplanes would work, but they really saved the kids. Something to keep in mind when flying with kids. At least I now have a combo of things that work for future flights. Take care everyone, and hope that everyone has great trips!

Trish

 

[tdashgirl]

Fun photos, especially Sherry and KCMike's. The fire engine one is stunning!

 

[tksbaskets]

Disneyland Fire Engine by KC MikeD, on Flickr

Another DISer who loves this stunning picture. I dream of being able to compose a shot like this. Mike keep 'em coming. This one captures the nostalgia and beauty of Disneyland at Christmas for me.

 

[kylie71]

LORI Have a great trip!

Everyone Thanks for the very very kind words on the fire engine photo.

Thank You Mike! We are very excited to spend Thanksgiving week at DLR! 4.5 days in the parks!! Yahoo!

Happy Thanksgiving! Can't wait to see more of your beautiful pictures!!

--Lori

 

[Phoenixrising]

I'm off to the airport in 20 mins to DL YAHOO!!! Still cold from Edmonton, time to warm up in DL. Have great trips everyone!!

Trish

 

[Pesky]

THREE WEEKS TO GO! I have no packing list, I have gifts to ship, I have all the Christmas baking to do early -- I'm not ready! Luckily plans to accomplish all but the biggest challenge will be getting through the Thanksgiving holidays with my parents. I am going the outright lie and deception path. My mom is notorious for ruining surprises -- told my niece we were going to pay her way to a family reunion before we'd even asked her, told my SIL my bro was going to propose, and so on. I didn't expect them to come out this year so didn't think it was an issue. Well now I am telling them that due to massive layoffs at my company and job insecurity (true) and it being poor timing for my ILs with just coming back from helping with SIL's new baby (also true), we cashed in our trip insurance and cancelled Disney this year and hope to redo it in a year or two (not true). Figured I'd tell her that I got some assurances and insurance company hadn't processed our claim so we are going -- which she will know the day before we take off. Sad to have to go through such theatrics but I'm protecting the surprise we planned for the kids and will NOT let my mother ruin it.

Speaking of surprise, the kids just found out we are going to the ILs' for Christmas. DH had put together clues in DS's carry-on and it took FOREVER for them to piece together what the clues meant (not totally their fault -- one clue threw them off big time so we had to take it away). They will still think we are going to the ILs when we land and spend the night in Santa Monica. We'll drive down the next night and arrive at the VGC. They will likely be so absorbed in watching a movie they will not notice where we are or the signs. I don't know if they will "get" where they are right away. What do you think about telling them? Some possibilities include waiting until we get to the room and letting them see the view (I don't like this because the window gets their expressions, not us). Another is using Santa if he is there to tell them. Figured that is the perfect photo op because we'll have a PP photographer and a perfect shot for us. Other ideas?

Oh and I need to figure out a way to grab KCmike to be our personal photographer during the trip. I've decided there is no other way.

 

[rentayenta]

Jenny --

You have a lot going on this coming week! No time to really settle in and celebrate much of anything.

I wondered how people felt about the combo of the two holidays. It is very, very rare that this happens, isn't it? It even has a catchy name now, apparently -- is it Thanksgivukkah or something like that? That's what someone on TV called it. I don't think I would like it either. I would prefer one holiday at a time -- not simultaneously! Each holiday should have its proper celebration on its day (or days) without having to compete with another holiday.

"Mistletoe Over Manhattan" is not one of my favorites. I had high hopes for "Window Wonderland" but you said it's not great so I have a feeling I won't love it either.

I think that "Trading Christmas" might be on late tonight -- that's a pretty good one (it's like "The Holiday" with Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet). I just watched "The Christmas Ornament," which is also pretty good. Earlier today I watched one of tksbaskets' favorites -- "A Bride For Christmas." That's good -- a cute guy, a cute girl, a totally implausible story line and a predictable outcome! It works, though!

And be sure to look for "Snow Bride" if you haven't seen it yet. Again, a cute guy, a cute girl, snappy dialogue and a predictable outcome -- but it's quite good.


By the way -- if you want to go back to when the Theme Week Countdown began (to look at everyone's photos), go back to page 62. From page 62 to page 166 there were 20 themes.

The merging of Thanksgiving and Hanukkah happens once every 70,000 years so I am glad I wont have to re-experience it. It sounds pouty and childish but I am really disappointed in missing both. Next year, I will have to really reevaluate doing any soccer tournaments over Thanksgiving. It's such a family and food holiday to me. Worst part? No leftovers.

Missing 3 nights of Hanukkah doesn't have me elated either. We don't exchange Hanukkah gifts but really focus on the story of Hanukkah and the miracle of the oil.

I'll be on the lookout for those shows. Right now I ams aching Help for the Holidays. I don't know that I could be lazier this weekend. Snow Bride is on today at 2 pm. Maybe I'll have to do some laundry or something before then.

Going to page 62. Thank you! :good vibes

What are you Disneyland dates for this year? I am thinking early Dec right? The 9th or around then? If you are going to be in the parks on our days, I'd love to say hi.

 

[NSmuppetmom]

Eeeek!! Just reserved our Holiday Magic tour for 3 pm on Christmas Eve!!!! Can't wait to surprise the kids.

 

[Disney Dreams]

I am not loving or even liking Hanukkah and Thanksgiving at the same time. We're headed to Vegas early Thursday morning for a soccer tournament; me and Joshua. Michael works, the girls are staying home. Thanksgiving is one of my favorites and I'm feeling blue about not celebrating properly. And no leftovers!

I'm cool with them landing together --- sort of fun, but it's just come up so quick! Got the house decorated for Chanukah yesterday. Yay! Including my new Disney Chanukah plates and mugs.

Thanksgiving will be non-traditional for us this year as well with no home cooked meal for a variety of reasons, so it is sort of bumming me out, but Chanukah arriving at the same time is keeping my spirits up.

Haven't seen Chanukah mentioned on this thread o haven't talked about Chanukah merchandise or decor or goodies here since it seemed all Christmas. Four nights to go....

- Dreams

 

[egritz]

We leave in 2 weeks and I Have nothing packed or prepared. EEEK! I need to pull out our packing list from the last trip and get some extra suitcases from my parents to start packing stuff. Fingers crossed we don't have rain forecast otherwise I need to go buy rain gear for everyone (ugh!)

 

[butterflymouse]

Left a little less than an hour ago. Can't wait to immerse myself in the holiday and disney magic again!

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

Left a little less than an hour ago. Can't wait to immerse myself in the holiday and disney magic again!

We are sitting at the airport waiting to board! Should be taking off in about 1/2 hour.

 

[dreeger]

We are sitting at the airport waiting to board! Should be taking off in about 1/2 hour.

Have a great flight, Jamie! We leave bright and early tomorrow!

 

[Sherry E]

THREE WEEKS TO GO! I have no packing list, I have gifts to ship, I have all the Christmas baking to do early -- I'm not ready! Luckily plans to accomplish all but the biggest challenge will be getting through the Thanksgiving holidays with my parents. I am going the outright lie and deception path. My mom is notorious for ruining surprises -- told my niece we were going to pay her way to a family reunion before we'd even asked her, told my SIL my bro was going to propose, and so on. I didn't expect them to come out this year so didn't think it was an issue. Well now I am telling them that due to massive layoffs at my company and job insecurity (true) and it being poor timing for my ILs with just coming back from helping with SIL's new baby (also true), we cashed in our trip insurance and cancelled Disney this year and hope to redo it in a year or two (not true). Figured I'd tell her that I got some assurances and insurance company hadn't processed our claim so we are going -- which she will know the day before we take off. Sad to have to go through such theatrics but I'm protecting the surprise we planned for the kids and will NOT let my mother ruin it.

Speaking of surprise, the kids just found out we are going to the ILs' for Christmas. DH had put together clues in DS's carry-on and it took FOREVER for them to piece together what the clues meant (not totally their fault -- one clue threw them off big time so we had to take it away). They will still think we are going to the ILs when we land and spend the night in Santa Monica. We'll drive down the next night and arrive at the VGC. They will likely be so absorbed in watching a movie they will not notice where we are or the signs. I don't know if they will "get" where they are right away. What do you think about telling them? Some possibilities include waiting until we get to the room and letting them see the view (I don't like this because the window gets their expressions, not us). Another is using Santa if he is there to tell them. Figured that is the perfect photo op because we'll have a PP photographer and a perfect shot for us. Other ideas?

Oh and I need to figure out a way to grab KCmike to be our personal photographer during the trip. I've decided there is no other way.

Pesky -

I am chuckling about the "lie and deception path." Desperate times call for desperate measures!

Your kids would have to really, really be wrapped up in the movie to not realize where you are (and not see the telltale signs) until you get to the room or get to Santa! You can see bits of the parks and the Disneyland Hotel peeking above various walls and boundaries from Disneyland Drive. Plus, when you enter the GCH you will see signs that direct you to the parks and DTD or wherever.

I think that using Santa for the big reveal would be a great idea, except he may not be in the lobby at the time you get there.

The merging of Thanksgiving and Hanukkah happens once every 70,000 years so I am glad I wont have to re-experience it. It sounds pouty and childish but I am really disappointed in missing both. Next year, I will have to really reevaluate doing any soccer tournaments over Thanksgiving. It's such a family and food holiday to me. Worst part? No leftovers.

Missing 3 nights of Hanukkah doesn't have me elated either. We don't exchange Hanukkah gifts but really focus on the story of Hanukkah and the miracle of the oil.

I'll be on the lookout for those shows. Right now I ams aching Help for the Holidays. I don't know that I could be lazier this weekend. Snow Bride is on today at 2 pm. Maybe I'll have to do some laundry or something before then.

Going to page 62. Thank you! :good vibes

What are you Disneyland dates for this year? I am thinking early Dec right? The 9th or around then? If you are going to be in the parks on our days, I'd love to say hi.

Jenny --

Leftovers are often the best part of Thanksgiving meals, aren't they? That's a shame that you will miss out on that this year, as well as 3 days of Hanukkah.

Speaking of Thanksgiving, yesterday I tried to watch the annual "Thanksgiving Live" show on the Food Network and it was tough to sit through because all of the chefs/stars (Bobby Flay, Giada De Laurentiis, Alton Brown and Ina Garten) were talking over each other as they doled out Thanksgiving help and advice. I don't recall the previous years' shows being like that, with so many people yapping at once. Giada was especially chatty, frequently interrupting others as they spoke. Poor Ina -- who is a fairly laid back personality to begin with -- had a hard time completing one sentence because Giada would jump in.

Let me know if you like "Snow Bride." I started to watch a bit of "Window Wonderland" and it was not grabbing me. You were right. I couldn't get into it either. I am hoping that tonight's "Fir Crazy" is better. Lifetime has been running their own holiday movies -- I think that last night was "Kristin's Christmas Past" or something like that? There is only so much time in a day, though, and occasionally other things have to get done!

You're welcome! You mentioned you were trying to go back and look through pictures so I figured that directing you to where the Countdown began would be the most efficient way to get to the lion's share of photos in this thread (not counting the ones I posted from 11/15).

I would love to meet up but I think I'll be gone before you arrive, sadly. My Club 33 day is 12/9. I'll (probably) be attempting to catch the CP on the night of 12/8. At this rate I'm not even sure what I'm doing with the first part of my day on 12/8. I've had too much going on, and haven't had time to sit down and think about what I am doing and when, and whether it will be solo or with people!

Eeeek!! Just reserved our Holiday Magic tour for 3 pm on Christmas Eve!!!! Can't wait to surprise the kids.

NSmuppetmom --

Yay! I'm so glad you got the tour booked for Christmas Eve. I think it will be wonderful, and you will love seeing IASWH's facade lit up in colors at night.

I'm cool with them landing together --- sort of fun, but it's just come up so quick! Got the house decorated for Chanukah yesterday. Yay! Including my new Disney Chanukah plates and mugs.

Thanksgiving will be non-traditional for us this year as well with no home cooked meal for a variety of reasons, so it is sort of bumming me out, but Chanukah arriving at the same time is keeping my spirits up.

Haven't seen Chanukah mentioned on this thread o haven't talked about Chanukah merchandise or decor or goodies here since it seemed all Christmas. Four nights to go....

- Dreams

Dreams --

I'm sure that many folks would love to see and hear more about the Hanukkah goodies, merchandise, etc. available at DLR! (The decorations -- as far as I know -- seem to be limited to the one menorah on Main Street, correct?) This thread is really for the entire holiday season at DLR, and everything that falls within that season, from early November to early January -- including Hanukkah. But I think that when people search for "holiday season" info, they tend to use the word "Christmas" as the key word -- or they even say they are taking "Christmas" trips when they are actually going in November -- so for the purposes and ease of searching the board I have "Christmas/Holiday Season" referenced in the title of this thread.

Unfortunately, Disney doesn't give us too much to work with on the Hanukkah front, and when I was taking photos of goodies on 11/15 I didn't see anything for that holiday. I didn't see any merchandise either, but I didn't make it into every shop on that day so I'm sure I missed something.

I basically just copy any holiday-related links to blogs and articles by Disney (or other reputable unofficial sites), and add those to the first page. They don't really post anything about New Year's at all, and even their Thanksgiving-specific coverage/goodies/merchandise can sometimes be a bit lacking. There isn't a whole lot to work with from Disney other than the things that appear to be Christmas-specific so I just take whatever they give and copy it, basically.

In the Other Things to Do post on page 1, I did add a listing for a Hanukkah celebration at the Farmers Market (complete with a giant Lego menorah, apparently).

We leave in 2 weeks and I Have nothing packed or prepared. EEEK! I need to pull out our packing list from the last trip and get some extra suitcases from my parents to start packing stuff. Fingers crossed we don't have rain forecast otherwise I need to go buy rain gear for everyone (ugh!)

egritz --

I am crossing my fingers for you (and for me!) as far as the rain forecast. I hope you have a fabulous trip!

It has been very chilly at night and in the early mornings lately (which I love), so bring some warm clothing. I had to get up and put on an extra layer in the middle of the night because I was freezing. I love it, though! This is what I wait for all year. I don't even turn on the heat. I just keep piling on the layers until I am forced to finally drag out the hot cocoa. I am relishing the cool air while it lasts because I know that it will again climb up to the 90s and 100s soon enough in So Cal.

Also, I'm so glad that all of your days off were approved! That must have been a great relief, just to know that you were officially OK'd to take your trip and that all shifts are covered.

 

[mrsw94]

We leave in 2 weeks and I Have nothing packed or prepared. EEEK! I need to pull out our packing list from the last trip and get some extra suitcases from my parents to start packing stuff. Fingers crossed we don't have rain forecast otherwise I need to go buy rain gear for everyone (ugh!)

I have had a 4 pack of rain ponchos in my Amazon cart for a week, but I keep thinking if I buy them, it might jinx our trip! Although with all the crowds while we are there, part of me thinks a little rain might not be a bad thing!

THREE WEEKS TO GO! I have no packing list, I have gifts to ship, I have all the Christmas baking to do early -- I'm not ready! Luckily plans to accomplish all but the biggest challenge will be getting through the Thanksgiving holidays with my parents. I am going the outright lie and deception path. My mom is notorious for ruining surprises -- told my niece we were going to pay her way to a family reunion before we'd even asked her, told my SIL my bro was going to propose, and so on. I didn't expect them to come out this year so didn't think it was an issue. Well now I am telling them that due to massive layoffs at my company and job insecurity (true) and it being poor timing for my ILs with just coming back from helping with SIL's new baby (also true), we cashed in our trip insurance and cancelled Disney this year and hope to redo it in a year or two (not true). Figured I'd tell her that I got some assurances and insurance company hadn't processed our claim so we are going -- which she will know the day before we take off. Sad to have to go through such theatrics but I'm protecting the surprise we planned for the kids and will NOT let my mother ruin it.

Oh and I need to figure out a way to grab KCmike to be our personal photographer during the trip. I've decided there is no other way.

WooHooo!!! I haven't done much of anything in the way of packing. I really should do some things. We have TG that we are driving to Sacramento and spending the night, so I have to get through that, and then I am co-director for our church's Wednesday night children's program. Just 125 kids on Sat the 7th. I feel like once I get through that stuff, I can concentrate on packing!

I agree, KCMike should ABSOLUTELY be for hire!!!

I'm cool with them landing together --- sort of fun, but it's just come up so quick! Got the house decorated for Chanukah yesterday. Yay! Including my new Disney Chanukah plates and mugs.

Thanksgiving will be non-traditional for us this year as well with no home cooked meal for a variety of reasons, so it is sort of bumming me out, but Chanukah arriving at the same time is keeping my spirits up.

Haven't seen Chanukah mentioned on this thread o haven't talked about Chanukah merchandise or decor or goodies here since it seemed all Christmas. Four nights to go....

- Dreams

I hear you on the leftovers. I bought a 10lb turkey at Safeway Friday because we won't be home for TG, but for $.59/lb, it made a cheap meal, AND we'll have leftovers! Although I just realized I forgot a can of cranberry sauce for my sandwich....darn!

 

[farmfresh]

It's not exactly DLR... but just booked tickets to Frozen at El Capitan ...we're in LA for a few days before we head down to DL and thought this would be a good way to get into the Christmas spirit! For other overseas Disers who might be in LA first on a Christmas trip, it started on Nov 22, and tickets are available online. Extra bonus... it's not far away from the Grove for a little Christmas shopping.....

 

[Sherry E]

Bret/mvf-m11c just posted this update in his TR: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=50146057&postcount=3205


I love the display at the Disneyland Hotel!

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

We have landes and are the DLE on the way to the hotel. I know there was been some discussion about the DLE at LAX, so I thought I'd share my experience.

LAX obviously is a much bigger airport than SNA. That said, I found the process of getting our bags and getting to the bus (Southwest) so much easier. At SNA it feels like we walk so far to get to the right pick up location. And they were here exactly on time. On the flip side, there are a lot of terminals at LAX and our bus is pretty much full. The big part...the bus IS wrapped in Carsland decor, something I had read was against LAX policy. So be aware it may be wrapped. We also saw the "phoney" Disneyland Xpress van try to get people... they did get one family.