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

[Sherry E]

The Mistle-tones with Tia Mowry & Tori Spelling. It was cute

Jamie --

I definitely remember that one, although I did not see it all the way through. In fact, ABC Family is one of the very few channels that onsite guests can access in their hotel rooms so I encountered that movie once or twice at the PPH last December.

The other ABC Family movie I caught snippets of in the hotel room was an older one ("older" meaning by a few years). The one with Mario Lopez and Melissa Joan Hart. What is it called? Holiday in Handcuffs, maybe? Or something else?

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

Jamie --

I definitely remember that one, although I did not see it all the way through. In fact, ABC Family is one of the very few channels that onsite guests can access in their hotel rooms so I encountered that movie once or twice at the PPH last December.

The other ABC Family movie I caught snippets of in the hotel room was an older one ("older" meaning by a few years). The one with Mario Lopez and Melissa Joan Hart. What is it called? Holiday in Handcuffs, maybe? Or something else?

That sounds right. I love all of these movies and I was excited to see Netflix has some of them now. It's raining here today and Fall starts tomorrow...for some reason it makes our trip feel that much closer today!

 

[Leilanie94]

Thank you Sherry and everyone for sharing your beautiful holiday photos!

I'm excited for our family's first holiday trip in November. Right now our trip is a "secret" to my boys (ages 10 and 8). We have a weekend stay at Disney's Aulani Resort in October. My DH and I are thinking of finally sharing our "secret" to our boys, then.

 

[Sherry E]

That sounds right. I love all of these movies and I was excited to see Netflix has some of them now. It's raining here today and Fall starts tomorrow...for some reason it makes our trip feel that much closer today!

Jamie --

I think you would really enjoy some of the Hallmark Channel Christmas movies. I wish you had the Hallmark Channel. Darn that U-Verse! I don't know if any of them are on Netflix.

I'm so excited for Fall to begin tomorrow. Who doesn't love Fall? What's not to love about it (except some kids may not like it because it means school is back in session)? I saw a poll on one of my survey websites the other day, and the question was "Which season is your favorite?" Fall was the clear winner, and Spring was in second place. Winter was last, if I recall correctly. I think I would choose Winter over Spring, but I don't live in an area that gets "real" Winter weather so that skews my opinion a bit! If I lived on the East Coast I might have a different view. I just love seeing beautiful pictures of snowy Winter scenes.

Even though the actual temperatures may take a while to catch up to Fall out here in L.A., the onslaught of Autumn flavors and scents that has descended upon the local stores has worked its magic in creating a Fall mood even before the season has officially begun.

Thank you Sherry and everyone for sharing your beautiful holiday photos!

I'm excited for our family's first holiday trip in November. Right now our trip is a "secret" to my boys (ages 10 and 8). We have a weekend stay at Disney's Aulani in October. My DH and I are thinking of finally sharing our "secret" to our boys, then.

Leilanie94 --

You're welcome -- and thank you for joining us! (That reminds me -- I still have to post some final DLR Hotel photos while we are still in the Hotels Theme Week. A new theme begins on Monday.)

I think that an Aulani trip in October and a DLR holiday trip in November sounds amazing! Your boys will have a wonderful time. It seems that quite a few of our holiday travelers are keeping the trips a secret (or trying to) from the kids for a while, or for as long as possible. Kids are so smart and perceptive -- I don't know how everyone manages to keep the secret from them for longer than a day! I know that I would probably be too excited and wouldn't be able to keep quiet. I'm not good with surprises -- either receiving them or giving them.

On which dates in November will you be at DLR?

 

[KCmike]

I was at DL for Halloween Time last week (and, by the way, catch me on the DIS Unplugged Halloween Time podcast that went up on the site yesterday -- we chat about Haunted Mansion Holiday, among all sorts of other Halloween Time-related things), and I thought of my Christmas Superthread peeps when I saw this sign on my photo spree...

It doesn't mean much, and DL could always leave the sign up even if BTMRR is going to be closed into 2014, but it's a tiny sign of encouragement that the sign is still up. It makes me think that Disney is at least doing everything possible to try to get the ride up and running by the holiday season.




Remember, everyone, we are still in Hotels week of the Theme Week Countdown. A new theme week begins in 3 days. Get in any last minute hotel photos you can through Sunday!

I like this encouagement! Thanks for posting Sherry E!

 

[KCmike]

Hey Sherry do they have the Swing Dancing parties at Christmas time in the Fantasy Faire?

 

[figment_jii]

Yikes! The countdown has really showed me that I didn't spend enough time at Toontown or the hotels during the holiday season. I'll have to make a point of going to both this year! Here's the only photo of the hotels I could find...Grand California.

 

[jasy]

jasy -- I took that sign picture only one week ago, so I have a feeling it is still up. The sign in Frontierland just says "Re-Opening Fall 2013," which could even mean December. Even if BTMRR did not reopen in October or November it could still technically reopen in Fall, so Disney may want to keep the sign up for a while -- until/unless they are absolutely certain the ride cannot reopen until Winter or into 2014. The fact that the sign is still up is, as Cheshirecatty and I were saying, a wee bit encouraging!

Excellent point and it is encouraging!

I just keep telling myself, and my sister. We went to Disneyland 3 times before we ever got to ride the Matterhorn, and it's sure not our last trip so even if it's not open we will most definitely have a wonderful time!

 

[Sherry E]

figment_jii --

I think that you and quite a few people are realizing that more pictures need to be taken! You've got another entry into the random draw!

I like this encouragement! Thanks for posting Sherry E!

You're welcome, Mike! I am hoping that DLR would not leave that sign up if they knew there was no way possible to get the ride open in the Fall, but Fall could mean all the way into December so who knows?

Hey Sherry do they have the Swing Dancing parties at Christmas time in the Fantasy Faire?

Not that I'm aware of. I don't think so, but I could be wrong.

Excellent point and it is encouraging!

I just keep telling myself, and my sister. We went to Disneyland 3 times before we ever got to ride the Matterhorn, and it's sure not our last trip so even if it's not open we will most definitely have a wonderful time!

jasy --

You'll definitely have a wonderful time because there is so much to enjoy at DLR during the holidays, but it can certainly be disappointing if a favorite ride is closed. I am hoping BTMRR opens by the time of your trip.

 

[funatdisney]

I don't have much in the way of hotel pictures and I know I have posted this picture before, but it fits this week's theme so well. Last time I will post his particular picture this year.

The Grand Californian Christmas Tree

Carolers at the GCH

 

[Autty40]

I am so excited! I made our reservation for breakfast at the Plaza Inn during our first day. The woman I spoke to on the phone just made my day. She asked the age of our child and when I mentioned we'd be celebrating her 2nd birthday, she made a note and asked how to spell her name. The attention to detail just in the phone call was great. I can't wait! We'll be enjoying our breakfast before the park opens and among all the Christmas decor. 8 more weeks!!!!

 

[czmom]

That's so exciting!!! Makes the trip feel even closer once dining reservations are made

I have a question- does 60 days for reservations mean 60 calendar days? Or 2 months?

 

[mom2rtk]

That's so exciting!!! Makes the trip feel even closer once dining reservations are made

I have a question- does 60 days for reservations mean 60 calendar days? Or 2 months?

I was just thinking I need to pin this down too. It's finally starting to seem real!

 

[Sherry E]

Liza -- You've got another entry into the random draw!

And, by the way, everyone -- look at Liza's photo of the carolers in the GCH lobby. See the people on the carpet in front of the carolers, and also reclined on the couch in the background? That's what I have been referring to when I say that people curl up on the sofas, and even on the carpet, to listen to the carolers take requests and sing by the tree. It's a very welcoming, relaxing environment -- and it's just perfect for enjoying the holiday music and mood.

I am so excited! I made our reservation for breakfast at the Plaza Inn during our first day. The woman I spoke to on the phone just made my day. She asked the age of our child and when I mentioned we'd be celebrating her 2nd birthday, she made a note and asked how to spell her name. The attention to detail just in the phone call was great. I can't wait! We'll be enjoying our breakfast before the park opens and among all the Christmas decor. 8 more weeks!!!!

Autty40 --

Eight more weeks sounds sooooo close, especially considering that 8 weeks ago was July, and that seems like it was yesterday. Time has flown by. You will be enjoying the holiday atmosphere of DL in no time!

That's so exciting!!! Makes the trip feel even closer once dining reservations are made

I have a question- does 60 days for reservations mean 60 calendar days? Or 2 months?

czmom --

You know, I have actually read conflicting reports of this. Some folks say that it is 60 calendar days, and others say it is 2 months. People have reported being able to make reservations at both of those points.

Keep in mind, reservations are not as crucial for DLR (unless you're doing something like Blue Bayou) so it won't matter if you wait a day or two past the 60-day/2-month mark to book them. It wouldn't even really make a difference if you waited until the 30-day point. It's a lot more casual at DLR than at WDW. Most of my meals have been walk-ups (no reservations at all). That can sometimes result in a wait (but you can also wait even if you have reservations), and sometimes I get seated right away. I've made very few reservations.

I was just thinking I need to pin this down too. It's finally starting to seem real!

Janet --

Your trip is creeping up on you! For a long time it seemed that the trip was far, far away and now the time to nail everything down is fast approaching! It's going to be October soon.

I know that there are some current 'general public' hotel discounts from Disney Destinations that extend through 9/27 or 9/28, so I am hoping that new Fall discounts that extend through the first 2 or 3 of weeks of December will pop up after next weekend -- that's what I'm waiting for. So far the AP rates on the calendar are just the regular 10% off rates. It's possible that a general public Fall discount could be better.

 

[Pinup Mommy]

Hi Sherry!!!

I only have two pictures to share this week, both from DLH

I plan to take far more and better pictures this year.

Ysell

 

[Leilanie94]

Leilanie94 --

You're welcome -- and thank you for joining us! (That reminds me -- I still have to post some final DLR Hotel photos while we are still in the Hotels Theme Week. A new theme begins on Monday.)

I think that an Aulani trip in October and a DLR holiday trip in November sounds amazing! Your boys will have a wonderful time. It seems that quite a few of our holiday travelers are keeping the trips a secret (or trying to) from the kids for a while, or for as long as possible. Kids are so smart and perceptive -- I don't know how everyone manages to keep the secret from them for longer than a day! I know that I would probably be too excited and wouldn't be able to keep quiet. I'm not good with surprises -- either receiving them or giving them.

On which dates in November will you be at DLR?

Hi Sherry,

Thanks for the warm welcome. I think I posted in this thread or the previous thread in the beginning. Things got too busy but I tried to follow along with everyone's post and photos. Since our trip is approaching, I have been following along again to get suggestions and tips.

It's so hard to keep our trip a "secret" for our boys. This is the longest yet my DH and I have not said anything. We may need to share it sooner than when we hope to. We were planning to share our secret to our boys during our Aulani trip. Our holiday trip is the week before Thanksgiving. We are staying at the Grand Californian. My boys are going to miss some days from school. I still need to inform my boys' school, so that's why we are planning to share with my boys sooner...

 

[Autty40]

That's so exciting!!! Makes the trip feel even closer once dining reservations are made

I have a question- does 60 days for reservations mean 60 calendar days? Or 2 months?

In my experience this week, it was calendar days. Our reservation is for November 19th so I called on September 19th and they asked me to call back the next day.

 

[Aussie Princess]

I booked my all dining for my trip by the end of last week and my last dining reservation was 18th nov

 

[BeautyAndTheBeast22]

I am sure this question has been answered in the OP but I've looked and can't find it for the life of me.

Can someone tell me when the castle lighting normally takes place? I can't remember if it was a set time or if it just took place at dusk every night.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Sherry E]

I am sure this question has been answered in the OP but I've looked and can't find it for the life of me.

Can someone tell me when the castle lighting normally takes place? I can't remember if it was a set time or if it just took place at dusk every night.

Thanks in advance!

Sarah --

On page 1, under Frequently Asked Questions (I think it's in the 3rd post), you will see links to last year's hours and schedule for November and December, as well as 2011's schedules. The Enchantment Lighting times should be listed in those schedules.

The Castle's icicle lights go on and off throughout the course of the night, and then they finally turn on and stay on for the rest of the night after a certain point. (I thought it was a little later in the evening, but Jamie said it was aorund 8:30-ish.) Last year's schedule may have been slightly affected by the multi-night Candlelight Ceremony, but the 2011 schedule should be pretty much on par with what the schedule will be this year, I would imagine.

​

I'm working on the new theme for this week right now! Photobucket is giving me some trouble, so it is holding things up --but the new theme will be posted in the next couple of hours!!