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

[ksromack]

Here is a picture of the mug - they are the plastic travel size. Mickey & Minnie are on the other side.



And here is the pin they gave us, and the name button they gave us at the beginning. Even made one for my 2 yr old to wear for the tour, with her name!


As a make up from the DLH for a small snafu on check in day, we ate at Goofy's Kitchen last night on them. We had a late reservation (8:10pm), which I was worried about, but ended up being the time I want to dine there all the time! The best character interaction we've ever had, hands down. Alice, Chip, Dale, Pluto, Minnie, Mad Hatter and of course Goofy. They all stopped by multiple times, Goofy danced around the Christmas tree with my kids (in the lobby) and when my son fell down in excitement, Alice joined him on the floor, which is where my kids spent the next 10 minutes with her playing games. Also got some pictures of Alice & Mad Hatter together and they had fun banter with each other. Our last experience at Goofy's last year left me questioning doing it again, and had it not been for the hotel giving it to us, we wouldn't have and now it's a must do!

I love that mug.....I'm so glad I booked the tour. The pin, the mug, the seats, the treats, it's worth it to me!

We are planning a GK breakfast for next tuesday morning. It's a 7am reservation with an 8am EMH at DLR. It's also a candy cane day at Candy Palace. Does anyone know if they will allow you to line up for candy canes on an EMH? If they do then I would expect no one getting in at regular park opening would stand a chance getting a candy cane! I have a few more options getting them but I would feel better if I got them early in the trip so I could stop stressing over it! Do they pass out armbands right away or wait until a certain time?

Since you will be there on 12/8 I am trying to meet whoever I can at one time, so if it turns out to be you and Kathy for a few minutes, that's cool. I need to do it earlier rather than later because I might be tied up with something else in the late morning/early afternoon.

So I vote for a quick morning meet -- long enough to get a nice photo at one of the PhotoPass spots -- in... California Adventure. We can meet by the giant tree on BVS, or by the Season's Speedings sign in Cars Land... somewhere. If it is possible to meet up again later that day, we'll cross that bridge when we get to it but for now, morning is good.

I'm bringing my laptop so I'll be checking this thread to see if a time and place has been decided for a meet up. That sunday is a 7am EMH for DCA so if we're in parks, that's probably where we'll be although by that point I'm sure I'll have ridden RSR a few times at least....so I can be anywhere we decide!

While not Christmas per say I have to mention that if you don't visit very often to make sure and see "Mickey and the Magical Map" at Disneyland. It is an amazing stage show. Check the calendar and times guide to make sure you see it!


Mickey and the Magical Map by KC MikeD, on Flickr

Amazing shot....and that Carsland night time photo......wow! I made hubby watch Cars this evening. He hadn't seen it in a while and I knew he'd appreciate Carsland even more if he would familiarize himself with the movie.

Also, it's hard to see in the picture but the pin given at the end does have 2013 on it.

I love this pin! I need to find my lanyard. I have no clue where I put that after last year's trip. It would be a pity to have to buy a new one.

Hey, I'm going to be in Anaheim this time tomorrow! I have a hug lump in my throat. I mean, I teared up at the end of Cars for goodness sake.

 

[tksbaskets]

To answer a few questions -

The marsh mellow treats were given to us as part of the tour, over at Trolley Treats in DCA, so yes our tour went over there almost right away. I would love to say we took pictures of the treat, but my kids ate both that and the cookie at the end of the tour before I could! (Gave mine to my 2 year old)

Here is a picture of the mug - they are the plastic travel size. Mickey & Minnie are on the other side.



And here is the pin they gave us, and the name button they gave us at the beginning. Even made one for my 2 yr old to wear for the tour, with her name!


As for character meals, we did Ariel's Grotto for a late lunch a few days ago. While the food was great and we did see all the princesses - it is seamless, I'm not sure we'll do it again. Just not enough interaction for my liking.

As a make up from the DLH for a small snafu on check in day, we ate at Goofy's Kitchen last night on them. We had a late reservation (8:10pm), which I was worried about, but ended up being the time I want to dine there all the time! The best character interaction we've ever had, hands down. Alice, Chip, Dale, Pluto, Minnie, Mad Hatter and of course Goofy. They all stopped by multiple times, Goofy danced around the Christmas tree with my kids (in the lobby) and when my son fell down in excitement, Alice joined him on the floor, which is where my kids spent the next 10 minutes with her playing games. Also got some pictures of Alice & Mad Hatter together and they had fun banter with each other. Our last experience at Goofy's last year left me questioning doing it again, and had it not been for the hotel giving it to us, we wouldn't have and now it's a must do!

Time for me to get ready so we can make EMH - Happy Thanksgiving everybody!



Sorry, double post.

But I will add our Tour Guide was Austin and he was amazing, so if you get him, you're lucky!

WOW the tour swag is really nice this year. We've done the tour twice and our 'button' was a cardstock 'ornament'. I think it's great that you got an actual button. FUN that the tour now includes DCA as well. Thanks for sharing.

 

[pixiepowers]

Probably a silly question, but is the mug only for participants in the tour or would I be able to purchase one?

 

[dreamseeker9]

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I had an easy flight from NYC to LAX, then had a really nice Thanksgiving with my brother and friends.

It's raining today, but it looks to be sunny and in the 70s the next few days - yay! I think we are going to go to DLR on Tuesday, hoping that the clouds and cooler temps will lessen the crowds even more. And what a great last day that will be before I have to go back to NYC!

Also, my brother surprised me - he is a member of the WGA, and he was invited to a screening of "Saving Mr. Banks". So we are going tonight, and the theater is the Main Theater at the Walt Disney Studios in Burbank! I am soooo excited!

 

[Sherry E]

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I had an easy flight from NYC to LAX, then had a really nice Thanksgiving with my brother and friends.

It's raining today, but it looks to be sunny and in the 70s the next few days - yay! I think we are going to go to DLR on Tuesday, hoping that the clouds and cooler temps will lessen the crowds even more. And what a great last day that will be before I have to go back to NYC!

Also, my brother surprised me - he is a member of the WGA, and he was invited to a screening of "Saving Mr. Banks". So we are going tonight, and the theater is the Main Theater at the Walt Disney Studios in Burbank! I am soooo excited!

dreamseeker9 -

Have a nice time at the movie!

As for DLR on Tuesday -- I hope Tuesday is not crowded. Cooler weather on its own doesn't scare anyone away. I've run around DLR at night when it's been in the 30s and 40s and there were plenty of people everywhere. Clouds on their own won't scare anyone away. Only if there is an actual chance of rain along with the clouds -- a good chance of rain -- will people get scared away.

I have noticed a definite increase in crowds on Tuesdays in both the first and second weeks of December -- in other words, Tuesdays were more crowded than Mondays. Things could always change from year to year and the crowd dynamic could shift, but I think that maybe some folks will arrive on Tuesday for trips that last until Friday (like, perhaps, the people who want to get out of DLR before the Candlelight Ceremony weekend hits). Mondays -- especially right after Thanksgiving weekend ends -- are good because a lot of people have just gone home, but/U] a lot of folks have not arrived yet, I suppose.

In any case, you'll have a good time -- but if it turns out to be more crowded on Tuesday than you were hoping for, don't say I didn't warn you!

Be sure to peek in the window displays while strolling along Main Street:

 

[tksbaskets]

Probably a silly question, but is the mug only for participants in the tour or would I be able to purchase one?

In my experience the mug was available throughout the parks for everyone to purchase. The pin and button were exclusive to the tour.

TK

 

[mom2rtk]

I just wanted to share my excitement......

My red sequin ears I ordered from the UK arrived today just in time for our trip next week! Now my daughter and I can match in our red and green ears!

 

[momtothreeinfinity]

I'm so glad you got your ears. When you posted your initial desire for that pair, I 'googled' it right away to see if I could help, and dropped in my local Disney Store to see if they had any in stock - I luv it when a plan comes together

On another note, for those of us who are staying on property, are there any Christmas Day experienced travelers who've stayed on property before? What is Christmas morning like at the GCH, DLR or PPH? Is it quiet, festive, same old, same old? Just wanting to get a handle on the overall atmostphere. Are the CM's disappointed that they have to work that day rather than being with their loved ones?

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

Probably a silly question, but is the mug only for participants in the tour or would I be able to purchase one?

The mugs are at all the coffee stands and are available to purchase. We also got them today on the Discover the Magic Tour (which was awesome, BTW)

 

[pixiepowers]

Thank you tksbaskets and DisneyJamieCA - that was the news I was hoping for. I'm packing an extra bag for all the stuff I'll be bringing back from DL this Christmas - thank goodness I am flying Jet Blue!

 

[Sherry E]

I forgot to say earlier...

Amy -- Thank you for the kind words! I'm so glad this thread has been helpful to you. Please come back and let us know how the trip went when you return.

Janet -- I'm glad you got the ears in time!

​

I'm so glad you got your ears. When you posted your initial desire for that pair, I 'googled' it right away to see if I could help, and dropped in my local Disney Store to see if they had any in stock - I luv it when a plan comes together

On another note, for those of us who are staying on property, are there any Christmas Day experienced travelers who've stayed on property before? What is Christmas morning like at the GCH, DLR or PPH? Is it quiet, festive, same old, same old? Just wanting to get a handle on the overall atmostphere. Are the CM's disappointed that they have to work that day rather than being with their loved ones?

momtothreeinfinity --

If you can remember and have time, when you get home from your trip will you come back to this thread and post a recap, much like what JediMasterNerd and Mickey&JoshNut posted for us here last year? I will be curious to read a "Christmas 2013" recap.

I know that DIS'er larina has stayed onsite over Christmas before. She would have some insight into the Christmas day hotel vibe. Mickey&JoshNut stayed at the DLH last year, as reported here, and was there over Christmas, but I don't know if your specific questions about the overall hotel atmosphere and CM attitudes are answered. I can't recall if JediMasterNerd stayed onsite for his Christmas visit.

Although I have not stayed onsite specifically over Christmas, I try to pay attention to the info people bring back because that is part of what I pass on to future travelers who ask questions. I don't recall ever reading anything about CMs being less than enthusiastic or the hotels being anything less than festive. The hotels are festive every day during this season, so I can't imagine the atmosphere being any less so on Christmas Eve or Day. The GCH lobby is like a hub of hotel holiday festivity right around now -- and a rainy day like today probably drove a lot of folks into that lobby to enjoy beverages and snacks, as well as holiday music. I find the GCH lobby environment to be fun and communal -- some people literally sit on the carpet to listen to the carolers when they come in to perform. Everyone chats with everyone else. Everyone is in a good mood and relaxed. It's nice.

I would think it would be extra magical on Christmas day, but it could be open to interpretation!

 

[momtothreeinfinity]

Good evening Sherry E - I most definitely will file a trip report when we get back I did read JediMasterNerd's and Mickey&JoshNut's reports (thanks as always for the links). We are on property for 7 days, but we only have 5 day PH's, so I'm trying to decide which days NOT to go into the park. I was wondering if on Christmas Day there was 'extra magic' at the hotel, perhaps a reason to plan the 25th as an 'off' day. I think we may take in Frozen at the AMC and go ice skating and have hot chocolate in DTD on Christmas Day. Maybe we'll go tour the other two hotels that day...

 

[czmom]

I just wanted to share my excitement......

My red sequin ears I ordered from the UK arrived today just in time for our trip next week! Now my daughter and I can match in our red and green ears!

Woo hoo!!! Hope to run into you wearing them next week!

 

[Sherry E]

Okay, I have questions for you!

Now it is officially okay and acceptable to decorate for Christmas and play Christmas music (for those who were avoiding it up until Thanksgiving) without anyone thinking twice about it.

So... for those who listen to Christmas music (and you will hear plenty of it around Disneyland Resort, played and sung in different styles, depending on the theme of the location), which songs are your favorites? Which seasonal song is the first one that you listen to each year to get you in the Yuletide mood?

Do you go for the jolly, up-tempo songs (Frosty the Snowman, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Winter Wonderland, Sleigh Ride, Jingle Bells, etc.)?

Do you lean more towards the classics such as Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, White Christmas, The Christmas Song, Silver Bells, etc.?

Or, do you gravitate more towards non-secular songs such as The First Noel, O Holy Night, Angels We Have Heard on High, Silent Night, etc.?

Do you like some of the non-traditional songs such as Christmas (Baby Please Come Home), Do They Know It's Christmas, Santa Baby, Baby It's Cold Outside, etc.?



To be honest, I enjoy about 95% of most holiday-related songs, no matter what the holiday is that is being sung about (even things like Monster Mash, which is not really a Halloween song but can be used as a Halloween song in certain settings). There are not many holiday songs I dislike. However, I find that I am drawn to the songs that have the most beautiful melodies and/or that give me goosebumps and evoke some sort of emotion, so for me that includes Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, What Child Is This, O Holy Night, Silent Night (depending on who is singing it -- not all singers perform it well) and The First Noel.

I've also always loved Winter Wonderland, Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) as sung by U2 and Jingle Bell Rock! I think that I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus is pretty cute as well (especially the John Mellencamp version).

​

Good evening Sherry E - I most definitely will file a trip report when we get back I did read JediMasterNerd's and Mickey&JoshNut's reports (thanks as always for the links). We are on property for 7 days, but we only have 5 day PH's, so I'm trying to decide which days NOT to go into the park. I was wondering if on Christmas Day there was 'extra magic' at the hotel, perhaps a reason to plan the 25th as an 'off' day. I think we may take in Frozen at the AMC and go ice skating and have hot chocolate in DTD on Christmas Day. Maybe we'll go tour the other two hotels that day...

One thing I know for sure is that Santa disappears from the hotels after 12/24, so if you plan on getting in some quality "hotel Santa time" be sure to see him prior to 12/25.

If you do opt for 12/25 as a non-park day, I think that seeing Frozen, ice skating and enjoying some hot chocolate sounds very festive for Christmas. I think that Jazz Kitchen in DTD might have a special Christmas day menu (as they did for Thanksgiving), so that could be something interesting to try as far as food is concerned.

Hopefully larina will pop in and offer some insight on Christmas day hotel merriment.

One of these days I will get to the parks on Christmas because I want to see if the whole resort feels any more magical!

 

[KCmike]

Congrats to all of those who's trips are fast approaching!!

We just saw Frozen tonight. With so many early great reviews I kept telling myself that it was going to just be "ok" even though my daughters were highly anticipating it for awhile now. So my quick review....spoilers....I thought it was about on par with Tangled. Not even close to Beauty and the Beast, Lil Mermaid, or any of the other Disney films in their 90's revival. I even had to think back about movies like Brave for Pixar and decide whether if it was better than that. I would say on par with Brave as well. I also thought Olaf would bring the film down but I really liked his character. Oh well just my two cents.

Here is a picture from our tour of Carthay Circle we took one day:


Inside Carthay Circle by KC MikeD, on Flickr

Thanks again for the kind words.

And Sherry E -- I love all the Christmas music (from Springsteen to Crosby to Burl Ives) but if I had to pick just one song it would have to be O Holy Night. That one always has a special place in my heart.

 

[mom2rtk]

I'm so glad you got your ears. When you posted your initial desire for that pair, I 'googled' it right away to see if I could help, and dropped in my local Disney Store to see if they had any in stock - I luv it when a plan comes together

What a sweetie. Thanks!

Janet -- I'm glad you got the ears in time!

​

Thanks Sherry!

Woo hoo!!! Hope to run into you wearing them next week!

Thanks Wendy! Everyone BOLO for the mom and daughter with red and green ears!

Okay, I have questions for you!

Now it is officially okay and acceptable to decorate for Christmas and play Christmas music (for those who were avoiding it up until Thanksgiving) without anyone thinking twice about it.

So... for those who listen to Christmas music (and you will hear plenty of it around Disneyland Resort, played and sung in different styles, depending on the theme of the location), which songs are your favorites? Which seasonal song is the first one that you listen to each year to get you in the Yuletide mood?


This one is easy for me. Christmas is all about the tunes for me. 1) Bing Crosby's Christmas album. Silver Bells in particular and 2) Carpenters Christmas album. That album just IS Christmas. I could listen to nothing but these 2 albums the entire season and be quite happy.

Do you go for the jolly, up-tempo songs (Frosty the Snowman, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Winter Wonderland, Sleigh Ride, Jingle Bells, etc.)?

Do you lean more towards the classics such as Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, White Christmas, The Christmas Song, Silver Bells, etc.?

I LOVE Judy Garland's rendition of "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" in "Meet Me in St. Louis"!

Or, do you gravitate more towards non-secular songs such as The First Noel, O Holy Night, Angels We Have Heard on High, Silent Night, etc.?

I love all the religious songs too, especially Silent Night. The Bing Crosby version is pretty awesome.

Do you like some of the non-traditional songs such as Christmas (Baby Please Come Home), Do They Know It's Christmas, Santa Baby, Baby It's Cold Outside, etc.?

How about "Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer"? And while not traditionally Christmas, I just bought the soundtrack from Frozen and am falling in love with some of the wintery songs on that one. I am uploading it to iTunes right now so I can add them to my phone for our trip.



I find that I am drawn to the songs that have the most beautiful melodies and/or that give me goosebumps and evoke some sort of emotion, so for me that includes Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, What Child Is This, O Holy Night, Silent Night (depending on who is singing it -- not all singers perform it well) and The First Noel.


LOVE LOVE LOVE strong melodies. I especially love female vocalists, although I get that it's odd that my favorite is Bing!

I've also always loved Winter Wonderland, Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) as sung by U2 and Jingle Bell Rock! I think that I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus is pretty cute as well (especially the John Mellencamp version).[/COLOR]


How about "Little Drummer Boy"? I've loved that one since childhood.

​

 

[Priory]

It's so random but 'Hey Santa' by Wilson Phillips has been stuck in my head for a week. I'm looking forward to riding Small World just to get it out!

 

[mrsw94]

Wow! I go out of town for a day and miss 3 pages of posts!

Sherry, I tend towards my favorite Christian Christmas Albums, and especially like that KLOVE (our only Christian radio station) has a Christmas option when you use their app, so we tend to listen to that around the house most of the time.

We leave two weeks from tomorrow! I am excited and freaked out. I have what feels like 50 different projects I want to finish before we leave, and not nearly enough time! If I can get through the next week and get my kids to be at school (DD11 went to 1 & 1/2 classes Monday-that was it) I can finish my surprise projects!

 

[dreeger]

Probably a silly question, but is the mug only for participants in the tour or would I be able to purchase one?

You can purchase them. We got a few . Will post trip report tomorrow.

 

[the_princess]

Does any of you know anything about the Jim Shore event at the Disneyland Park on the 7 th?? I would love to get a piece signed by him but I 'm not sure if I want to wait in line for hours. How busy are these events normally??