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

[Sherry E]

I must admit that I was shocked and in disbelief when I suddenly discovered that my CBS and Showtime had returned to me last night, and I had to quickly get caught up on one month's worth of "Dexter" episodes in case it was a fluke and my Showtime was about to be yanked from my line-up again. (I thought it was either a heat-related hallucination on my part, or some kind of mistake/technical glitch -- but apparently Time Warner finally came to some kind of deal with CBS.)

So I abandoned all of you here during that catch-up time -- but I am so glad to know that I have "helpers" (to use Cheshirecatty's term) who will step in and tackle questions so that people are not left hanging, without answers! Thank you -- it is a tremendous help to me!

Anyway, DBL101, Luisa, ElkGroveChris and TK -- everyone has another entry into the random draw for the gift card! Thank you for posting such fantastic, vibrant and colorful photos! (And I can still hear the parade theme song in my head this morning!)



Pinup Mommy -- I wondered where you were last week, during the Main Street/Winter Castle theme! If you have any Main Street or Castle photos to share, be sure to hang on to them and post them in our Holiday Cornucopia week in November!

​

Yes, our trip was definitely up in the air for a while there, which was particularly awful for me because I like to plan all my vacations (both Disney and non-Disney) to a fault! Lol There were a lot of hurdles in our way unfortunately. I own a dance studio where I teach classes and I wasn't sure if I'd be able to take the time off or not, because of our October trip, and we weren't sure if taking another trip so close to our other one was a good idea/if it would really impact our household funds, etc. But finally, today, everything kind of fell into place and we were able to book it all! I'm incredibly glad because looking at this thread and not being sure whether I'd get to experience it all myself was really annoying me. (Thats why I wasn't posting on here, because it was just so uncertain and the idea of posting something was making me pathetically sad). But anyway... none of that matters because all's well that ends well! And I agree about the gingerbread men, they're also adorable! The attention to detail in the entire parade is really impressive
Thanks so much! Yeah, I think I might be even more stoked than my nieces... lol

Lucrezia --

Well, I am very glad that you are getting both a Halloween Time trip and a holiday trip in this year. I think you will find that the holiday trip is rewarding in a much different way, and I think your nieces will be thrilled too.

Speaking of attention to details and gingerbread men -- did you catch the slew of photos I posted in this thread just this past Sunday night (there were 2 posts full of Main Street photos, mainly from the window displays)? I was going to say that it's interesting to observe that many of those detailed window displays were in different locations (different shops), but so many of them involved (fake) gingerbread men/women, candy houses, candy displays, fake chocolate-covered strawberries, lollipops, fake cupcakes, whatever -- in other words, treats used as decor! I love those little details about Main Street - those window displays are things that a lot of people would overlook, but they add a lot of holiday fun to the overall landscape!

Sherry E, a question about the schedule. We are going the 23-27 of December, staying at PPH.
When I was looking at the historical schedule for 2012, it showed BOTH parks as having EMH everyday.
For example, usually only DCA is on M/W/F, but Disneyland also showed it. Was this a typo it did DLR have both parks as EMH during Xmas time?? Thanks!!

junmatno --

My PPH stays are usually earlier in December than the dates you will be there this year, and I recall that last year when I was there (second week of December) the EMH was not every day in both parks, but it alternated as you described above and like Jamie is describing below. There were little signs up to indicate which park had the early entry.

However, since you will be there over the actual Christmas holiday and slightly beyond that time -- when it begins to get very crowded -- it is entirely possible that both parks could have EMH on all days during at least some of that time frame.

I can't answer for Christmas time, but they did offer EMH to both parks, on all days at some point - maybe last summer right after Carsland opened? I can say that by Thanksgiving 2012 they were no longer offering that and it was back to M, W, F, Su at DCA and T, Th, Sat at DL.

Jamie --

During my trip the EMH days alternated between parks, but that was a less busy time in December.

I remember reading that EMH was offered daily at DL from Christmas through New Year's for the last couple years at least.

longtimedisneylurker --

Welcome! I'm glad you joined us. Yes, that sounds familiar to me as well. During that really busy week between Christmas and New Year's, I seem to vaguely recall that at least one park had daily early entry last year (if not both), and prior to that it was DL with the daily early entry.

Love the theme this week Sherry, the parade pictures everyone has posted are fantastic.

Question: I checked at the beginning of the thread but I'm not finding the answer... Are there fireworks nightly during holiday time and what about parades? We will be there Nov 19-22 and we're hoping to catch each once (along with the new WOC) but being a regular off season visitor I'm not sure how this will play out as I'm used to not having full entertainment offering during the week.

jasy --

Bret/mvf-m11c gave you the answer I would have given (thank you, Bret!). Yes, the Believe in Holiday Magic fireworks and the Christmas Fantasy Parade take place every single day during the official holiday season (unless rain or other weather somehow interferes), even during the less busy parts of the holiday season like post-Thanksgiving and pre-Christmas. As long as the season has officially begun, and as long as we are not having some sort of hard ticket Christmas party, those two events will be happening daily/nightly.

I am actually still thinking that Winter Dreams could possibly soft open before 11/15 because it is new, but at the very least it will be nightly as of 11/15, for sure!

 

[crystal1313]

Here's some parade photos from 2012........I don't attempt fireworks photos usually. There are some beautiful fireworks shots on here! Wow!

 

[farmfresh]

Hi Sherry

Thanks for posting the info update...looks like we'll have to schedule a WOC Winter Dreams night in along with the Holiday Tour...and now I'm thinking about those inroom Christmas trees....

 

[jasy]

When the Holiday season starts on November 12th 2013, "Believe...In Holiday Magic" fireworks and "A Christmas Fantasy" parade will be running every day during the Holiday season. Even during the weekdays when the park opens at 10am to 8pm, both shows will be running.

You can check out November 2012 Calender and you can see from last year that the fireworks and parade will be running during the weekdays. If the schedule is still going to be the same like in the years past, you will be able to see the fireworks and parade during your visit.

Thanks for the confirmation and the link!!! This is what I was hoping for!,

 

[PHXscuba]

I like the day parade for taking photographs but the atmosphere for the nighttime parade is my favorite.

And I don't even try for the fireworks photos with my point-and-shoot. I'm sure it's possible, but my success ratio is so low I'd rather just watch than get frustrated.

PHXscuba

 

[mom2rtk]

I must admit that I was shocked and in disbelief when I suddenly discovered that my CBS and Showtime had returned to me last night,

I thought of you yesterday Sherry when I heard the announcement!

I like the day parade for taking photographs but the atmosphere for the nighttime parade is my favorite.

And I don't even try for the fireworks photos with my point-and-shoot. I'm sure it's possible, but my success ratio is so low I'd rather just watch than get frustrated.

PHXscuba

I can't wait to see the parade both at night and during the day. The Christmas parade at WDW is my absolute favorite part of going during the holidays.

 

[czmom]

It can run both ways, down and back. For example, the day I was there, the first/afternoon parade started at IASW and ran to Main Street, then the second/night parade started at Main Street and ran toward IASW. So that's why some pictures seem mirror images.

PHXscuba

Thank you! Maybe this is how it always is? I definitely plan to see the parade during the day and at night!

 

[Lucrezia]

Lucrezia --

Well, I am very glad that you are getting both a Halloween Time trip and a holiday trip in this year. I think you will find that the holiday trip is rewarding in a much different way, and I think your nieces will be thrilled too.

Speaking of attention to details and gingerbread men -- did you catch the slew of photos I posted in this thread just this past Sunday night (there were 2 posts full of Main Street photos, mainly from the window displays)? I was going to say that it's interesting to observe that many of those detailed window displays were in different locations (different shops), but so many of them involved (fake) gingerbread men/women, candy houses, candy displays, fake chocolate-covered strawberries, lollipops, fake cupcakes, whatever -- in other words, treats used as decor! I love those little details about Main Street - those window displays are things that a lot of people would overlook, but they add a lot of holiday fun to the overall landscape!

I did see those photos! They were great, but I have to admit they made me quite hungry lol. I think the attention to detail Disney puts into both parks at Halloween, Christmas, and just on a regular basis is really amazing. I mean, the amount of precision with Cars Land alone is just... Oh, and I meant to tell you that recently I was home sick in bed and got a chance to read your holiday TRs. They were so fun! Your CL and BVS Christmastime photos are partly what really sold me on wanting to go. I have to say, as beautiful as I find Main Street, I think BVS's Christmas decorations are really, really special. As you said, they're more simple, refined, but I like that! It really stays true to the period and I couldn't stop drooling over all the tiny details. Heaven! I can't wait to see DCA decorated in person. (And read your new TR thread when you start it!) I know my nieces are going to freak out when we're there in person. They love Christmas so, so much and are of perfect Disneyland-going age (Ana just turned 10 and Lucia's about to be six, but both are very mature and well-behaved for children). Its so cute with kids at the DLR because the magic is especially real for them even more than with us. I like to call them my "DIS'ers-in-training" lol. Only 90-some more days and we'll be there at Christmastime...

 

[KCmike]

Here are just enough "ok" ones to share of the parade. I had so many throw aways of the night parade from a few years ago. I hope I prove to be a better photographer this year.










Keeping my fingers crossed I have some for the upcoming themes!

 

[funatdisney]

I don't have any fireworks photos but I do have A Christmas Fantasy Parade photos. All of them are day time shots.

 

[Delilah1310]

Loving all these pics!!!

What time is the parade expected to be this year - I had written down 3 pm and 5:30 pm in my planning notes based on last year.

So is it only a daytime parade? Or do they do add a nighttime version at some point during the season?

thanks!

 

[jacs1234]

 

[funatdisney]

Great pictures jacs1234. I love this one. How often does one get all Seven Dwarfs and a Christmas Tree in one shot?

Here are just enough "ok" ones to share of the parade. I had so many throw aways of the night parade from a few years ago. I hope I prove to be a better photographer this year.










Keeping my fingers crossed I have some for the upcoming themes!

"Ok" ones? KCmike, these are really nice good pictures. I can't wait to see what you get this year.

 

[golfdad]

Jamie & golfdad -


Yes, exactly. Now I could be totally, completely wrong, and Disney could suddenly pull a fast one on us in October and say, "Hey everyone, we're having a Christmas party!" A party would be major, major news, though -- no matter what was included in it and no matter where it was held. Last year the Parks Blog made sure to let us know about the 20 nights of the Candlelight Ceremony in August because it was big news, so I just can't see that they'd be hatching a plot to spring a party on us and not let us know until September or later. People need time to plan for such a thing because it will affect hours and schedules.

So my guess -- which we already suspected anyway -- is that we are now in the clear and that there will not be a party this year (at least not a major one that requires separate tickets). Next year we probably won't be so lucky, but this year I think we might be off the hook while Disney tests out the popularity of Winter Dreams to see if it can pull in the visitors.

​

Thanks for the reply. I'm ok if I don't have to spend the money on any extra tickets. So, does that mean that the castle is gonna be lit up every night with the snow/ice decorations?

 

[figment_jii]

My contributions to the theme week!

The reindeer and the toy soldiers are two segments that I remember the best about the parade in all fo the years that I've seen it. Something about them just seem to call out "Disneyland at the holidays" to me!

Two of my favorite characters...

Even though he's always gloomy, I still like Eeyore...

I always like snow-Mickey and snow-Minnie!

 

[greenkai3000]

Is there a way to find out what all attractions will be (or are always) refurnished during the month of December?

 

[Sherry E]

crystal1313, KCmike, Liza, jacs1234 and figment_jii --

What a great collection of photos! Everyone's parade shots are so sharp and colorful. Another round of entries into the random draw for each of you! I can see that there are many (like myself) who do not like to attempt fireworks shots! They are scary because they can go so right or so horribly wrong!

Mike --

There is no way your photos are merely "ok." Not even close! We should all be so lucky as to take ok photos like yours!

I tried to stack the first several weeks of this countdown with themes that I thought most people would have photos for, so we could start out with a bounty of photos from all to really get it going! I do realize that as we go forward, the themes may get a little more difficult to come up with photos for (which, I guess, is part of the challenge) and some folks will not have photos for some of those themes. Then again, we may be surprised in that someone could pop up out of the woodwork and have something to share. It will be interesting to see who has which types of photos!

jacs1234 --

I know that the parade song is still stuck in your head as well! I love that last fireworks shot, towards the end of your post! What awesome colors!

I thought of you yesterday Sherry when I heard the announcement!
I can't wait to see the parade both at night and during the day. The Christmas parade at WDW is my absolute favorite part of going during the holidays.

Janet --

When I noticed that CBS and Showtime were back on I had not heard the official announcement yet. I truly thought it was a mistake or technical glitch! There had been a bit of a power surge earlier, and I was thinking that Time Warner had been fiddling with their equipment and 'accidentally' reinstated CBS and Showtime. That's why I felt the need to try to sit down and watch all of the "Dexter" episodes I missed right away, before they were yanked from me again! Fortunately, nothing was yanked and I have my channels back (with no credit on my bill for the time I did not have them, by the way). I didn't have to switch to U-Verse and miss out on the Hallmark Channel Countdown to Christmas marathon (which starts in just about 2 months!!).

I really like the look of both the daytime Christmas Fantasy Parade and the nighttime parade. The daytime parade is better for those crisp, clear photos that we have been seeing, but the nighttime set-up is nice, with the chill in the air and the desire to drink cocoa, etc.

I did see those photos! They were great, but I have to admit they made me quite hungry lol. I think the attention to detail Disney puts into both parks at Halloween, Christmas, and just on a regular basis is really amazing. I mean, the amount of precision with Cars Land alone is just... Oh, and I meant to tell you that recently I was home sick in bed and got a chance to read your holiday TRs. They were so fun! Your CL and BVS Christmastime photos are partly what really sold me on wanting to go. I have to say, as beautiful as I find Main Street, I think BVS's Christmas decorations are really, really special. As you said, they're more simple, refined, but I like that! It really stays true to the period and I couldn't stop drooling over all the tiny details. Heaven! I can't wait to see DCA decorated in person. (And read your new TR thread when you start it!) I know my nieces are going to freak out when we're there in person. They love Christmas so, so much and are of perfect Disneyland-going age (Ana just turned 10 and Lucia's about to be six, but both are very mature and well-behaved for children). Its so cute with kids at the DLR because the magic is especially real for them even more than with us. I like to call them my "DIS'ers-in-training" lol. Only 90-some more days and we'll be there at Christmastime...

Lucrezia --

Oh wow, I didn't even know you were going to try to read any of my TRs so I appreciate that you did. Thank you. Good timing, as I just deleted that entire TR thread. Five years of work on it and photos from 1972-2013 down the tubes! All of that writing and struggling with Photobucket, for naught!

You know, Buena Vista Street's decor is interesting because it is not as obvious and colorful as the decor in other lands around DLR, but it is definitely theme-specific. It looks as it is supposed to look. There are a few very vintage-looking window displays. I love the Trolley Treats display. It is much more subtle and understated on BVS than I think a lot of folks were expecting (because Main Street is so grand). Main Street definitely wins the "nighttime" contest because it is so beautiful, as you will see in person, but BVS is very special. I also love the BVS tree and the vintage-y ornaments on it.

The attention to detail all over DLR is so amazing anyway, on a regular day, but during the holiday season it is kicked up 1000 notches. Just looking at the differences between the decor in Frontierland, and Toontown, and A Bug's Land, and New Orleans Square, and Main Street and Cars Land, etc., is interesting in and of itself. You can spend a whole day just staring at decorations! Even in the areas where the decor is very minimal -- such as Paradise Pier and Grizzly Peak in DCA, or in Critter Country in DL -- what is there is perfectly themed to the land.

I think that Ana and Lucia (and you and your fiance as well!) are in for a real treat! I am hoping that once they catch a glimpse of one of the gingerbread cookies with mouse ears, it will be love at first sight!

Try to make a point of visiting the Disney hotels too -- just to get photos in front of each Christmas tree, or maybe with each one of the Santas! I have only seen the Santa at the PPH and never posed with him, but I have been told that he is a fun Santa! I have posed with the one at the GCH, and he is fun as well. The Santa spot at the DLH has the best overall, most elaborate layout -- and, of course, a plate of the ever-present fake cookies that DLR loves to decorate with!

Did you see that I posted info in the Halloween Superthread on two new Halloween TV shows that are debuting this year (on Travel Channel)? One of them is called "Halloween Night Frights" and the other one is called "Halloween Craziest"!! I can't wait!

Loving all these pics!!!

What time is the parade expected to be this year - I had written down 3 pm and 5:30 pm in my planning notes based on last year.

So is it only a daytime parade? Or do they do add a nighttime version at some point during the season?

thanks!

Delilah1310 -

I think that those times for the parade should be about right this year too. It usually take place somewhere around those times, give or take 15 minutes, unless there is some sort of weather delay or other issue.

That 5:30-ish parade is the nighttime parade, basically. But it will be dark at that time once we hit the daylight savings/fall back switch in November.

Thanks for the reply. I'm ok if I don't have to spend the money on any extra tickets. So, does that mean that the castle is gonna be lit up every night with the snow/ice decorations?

golfdad --

You're very welcome!

You are in for a treat -- the Winter Castle will light up every night in icicle lights as soon as the season officially begins on November 12th (if not sooner). You will notice that the icicle lights turn on and off for a portion of the evening, and then they come on again sometime later and stay on for the rest of the night.

The snow will fall on Main Street, by It's a Small World Holiday and in New Orleans Square each night, after the fireworks.

I don't blame you -- I don't want to have to spend extra money on a party ticket. I think that Disney will definitely have a Christmas party in the next couple of years, but they really have to think it through and plan it well. Trying to have a party with events that have been around for years and years as part of general admission is not the best plan. So I think they really have to think hard about whether or not they can create all new entertainment for a party, or if there is any feasible way a party can be held in California Adventure.

Is there a way to find out what all attractions will be (or are always) refurnished during the month of December?

greenkai3000 --

If I recall correctly I think that perlster was keeping a thread with updates on the attractions that are currently down or scheduled to be down. I could be wrong, but I thought I saw a thread...

I know that there has been some talk about Space Mountain possibly being down through the holidays and about Big Thunder being down even longer than planned, well into next year.

I have not been keeping up with the latest word on both of those popular rides, so I'm not sure what the status is and if one or both of them will, indeed, be closed in December.

Does anyone else here know the status of SM and BTMRR because I'm clueless?

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

greenkai3000 --

If I recall correctly I think that perlster was keeping a thread with updates on the attractions that are currently down or scheduled to be down. I could be wrong, but I thought I saw a thread...

I know that there has been some talk about Space Mountain possibly being down through the holidays and about Big Thunder being down even longer than planned, well into next year.

I have not been keeping up with the latest word on both of those popular rides, so I'm not sure what the status is and if one or both of them will, indeed, be closed in December.

Does anyone else here know the status of SM and BTMRR?

I believe SM was a mistake and has been updated with the one day to remove GG overlay. BTMRR is still up in the air. All of the signage around the ride still says opening Fall 2013 (Oct 31st) and there has been nothing official from Disney as of yet. However, Micechat, CMs and somebody reported seeing it in writing at their onsite hotel are all saying Feb 2014. So that one is a still big "don't know".

 

[mom2rtk]

greenkai3000 --

If I recall correctly I think that perlster was keeping a thread with updates on the attractions that are currently down or scheduled to be down. I could be wrong, but I thought I saw a thread...

I know that there has been some talk about Space Mountain possibly being down through the holidays and about Big Thunder being down even longer than planned, well into next year.

I have not been keeping up with the latest word on both of those popular rides, so I'm not sure what the status is and if one or both of them will, indeed, be closed in December.

Does anyone else here know the status of SM and BTMRR because I'm clueless?

Sherry, I've been watching for 100% proof one way or another on both of these.

I *think* SM has been mostly debunked. It's no longer listed as a closure and the story linked on the DIS home page is gone. I believe someone misplaced some digits with the one day closure to remove the overlay and 11-4-13 for reopening became 1-14-14 or some such thing. But the general consensus is that it will only close for the overlay removal. I was going to post that here, but was hoping for something more definitive than the guesses we have seen so far.

BTMRR is another matter. Someone posted last week they saw a sign saying it would reopen in 2014. But others have been posting signs that say Fall 2013. Others say CMs have told them it would not reopen until 2014. So a whole lot of 2nd and 3rd hand stuff. Stay tuned. If I see something definitive I'll post it over here. I think there have been so many stories about this that people are waiting to see an actual photo of a sign on the attractions saying 2014 before believing it.

 

[Sherry E]

I believe SM was a mistake and has been updated with the one day to remove GG overlay. BTMRR is still up in the air. All of the signage around the ride still says opening Fall 2013 (Oct 31st) and there has been nothing official from Disney as of yet. However, Micechat, CMs and somebody reported seeing it in writing at their onsite hotel are all saying Feb 2014. So that one is a still big "don't know".

Jamie --

Thank you for filling me in. I just hadn't kept up with it but I was curious if there had been any updates. So the Space Mountain 'scare' was seemingly bogus? No mention of it being down (beyond the GG removal) is on that phone number that Tom/I'mTooExcitedToSleep called in the first place? What a big blunder on the part of someone at Disney to put that info out there and get everyone riled up! Oops!

It would be even worse, however, if SM were going to be down at the same time as BTMRR. Since it is looking less likely that BTMRR will be open during the holidays at all, it's good that the SM thing was apparently a mistake.