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

[DisneyJamieCA]

As I mentioned in my earlier post, we had great success with the Photopass + and got an amazing number of pictures. One we did use for our annual Christmas card and another I actually framed on our wall. That said, I don't like putting pictures of my kids on a public forum, so I won't be sharing them. I'm sorry. If you have any questions about what pictures we were able to get done, I am happy to answer that. So in place of that, here are some character photos from our Nov trip.

(Jake in DCA)


(Mrs. Claus in Jingle Jangle Jamboree)


(Lightning McQueen in Carsland)


(Santa in Jingle Jangle Jamboree)


(at Storyteller's for the character breakfast)


(Santa in the GCH)

 

[Sherry E]

Thank you, Bret, CaliDisneyMama (Welcome!! I’m glad you joined in!), pudinhd, Mickeybell, Luisa and Jamie (it’s okay to not post PhotoPass pictures – no need to be sorry! Lol!) for the photo contributions to this week's theme! Everyone's got an entry into the random draw! (I hope that Janet is out there, following along, as I know she was interested in character photos a while back!)

In case anyone wondered, the reason I decided to group Characters--PhotoPass--Santa together into one theme is that, in the past, when I did a separate PhotoPass theme a lot of folks tended to post character pictures and Santa pictures. When I did a separate Characters theme, people tended to post PhotoPass pictures. So I figured it was easier for everyone if I put the 3 themes together. This way, if you have character or Santa photos that are not PhotoPass pictures you can post them. If you have PhotoPass pictures that don't include Santa or characters, you can post them. If you have character photos and Santa photos that are PhotoPass pictures, of course you can post those too.

Luisa – Yes, exactly. Everyone’s trips will be very close by the time this Countdown is over. When the Countdown ends it will be just around the time when we start getting reports back about anything new in the parks. Our last theme – “Holiday Cornucopia” – will take place on Monday, November 4th. The season is officially beginning at DLR on Tuesday, 11/12, as we know, but a lot of the holiday entertainment is probably going to quietly begin on Friday, 11/8. (Disney doesn’t seem to like to officially start a season until after Veterans Day, even if everything is already in place and running before then!) So I would expect that we will begin to hear snippets of info on what’s happening in the parks on or around 11/8, and then even more info will come in the following week. The timing of the Countdown conclusion will be good, and then I can get the 2 gift cards off in the mail to the people who win them – hopefully in time for their holiday trips to take place!


edna mode – Thank you so much for posting the Thanksgiving info/update here! As I mentioned in the thread you started, there are people who follow this thread and don’t have time to go to others so it helps to have any and all holiday season-related info posted here when we can get it!

​

Sherry E

Not sure how to quote from my phone.

Yes we did just go to Disneyland for Halloween!!! It was fabulous. Now I can't wait to go in two months for Christmas which is my favorite holiday. Thank you for all your hard work you put into this thread. Has made me really excited to go again for Christmas!!!!

Alohagirl73 –
You’re very welcome! I’m glad to contribute to the excitement. The Halloween thread and the Christmas thread are like my two children (except that the Halloween thread moves at a much faster pace and it’s harder to get a handle on it at times, which is why I didn’t do a countdown in the Halloween thread this year)! Lol. I adore both of those holidays, and I love that Disneyland does something for both seasons -- but the smaller Halloween Time celebration kind of sets the stage and starts the fun, paving the way for a spectacular, grand, Christmas time extravaganza!

Sherry-love the pics!! Especially the castle at night picture!! I need to get one of those this year!! Thanks for sharing them!!

Julie –

Thank you! I was determined to get one decent PhotoPass picture in front of the Castle at night, so that particular 2009 picture was taken after 11:00 p.m. My previous attempt (in 2008) failed, as I stepped up to the Winter Castle at the precise moment the icicle lights turned off (it was earlier in the evening). It is very disappointing to get a nighttime PhotoPass picture in front of the Castle – without the icicle lights!!!

I bet Dani will be returning to this thread soon. I've been reading her trip reports and she just got back from WDW.

I'm hoping some of you do reports for your Christmas trips this year. We had so much fun on our first DL trip last month that I had to talk DH into taking us all back for December 2014. You guys are helping make my wait a little easier!

Mousketeers4 –

Welcome! Thanks for the danimaroo update! I wondered what happened to her after her first contributions to this Theme Week Countdown. I’m guessing she got very busy with her WDW trip.

I can guarantee you that Bret/mvf-m11c will do trip reports for both his upcoming November trip and his December trip, which means we can expect a lot of amazing photos. I’m pretty sure that quite a few of our other holiday travelers will do TRs too (most likely tksbaskets will do one). I have done a TR for every trip since 2008, and I put all of the TRs into one thread…and then recently just deleted my entire Disneyland TR thread. I am still sitting on some Halloween Time photos from last month at DLR, and I have to decide when I have the time and/or energy to start an all new thread but if I do it will include the Halloween photos as well as whatever I do for the holiday season!

Good morning lovely disers,

Sherri, your theme this week is perfect because I have a question about photopass during the holidays.

Do you find that there are more photopass photographers out and about during holiday time and are there more unique photo opportunities?

I'm debating whether or not to purchase photopass plus for our trip. We got it for our Feb trip and I was very disappointed that I didn't see many photopass photographers and those that I did find, didn't seem to really want to take out photo. I think in total we had 20-25 pictures so not many. I did however get a ride photo on every ride we could and that was great.

jasy –

Last year (the one year I didn’t get any PhotoPass pictures! Lol) in November and December, I noticed a lot of photographers, especially in California Adventure. I assumed it was because Buena Vista Street and Cars Land were both new. This year I don’t know if there will be as many PP photographers around DCA, or if they will be scaled down a bit.

For example, around the Buena Vista Street Christmas tree, I saw 3 different photographers stationed all around the tree. There was a photographer at the Storytellers statue. There was a photographer near Oswald’s. There was a photographer in Elias & Co., with Santa. I’m sure I’m forgetting one. In Cars Land, I saw several photographers scattered around the different streets (some of them were even in the middle of the street). One of them was in front of Flo’s at night. There was a photographer with Snowy the Snow Car, with Mater, with McQueen, etc.

In the Paradise Pier area of DCA, there were several photographers – one at the Christmas tree and one was taking photos of the guests with whichever character was on the pier, in the little picture spot next to the tree. There was a photographer with Duffy. There was one at the start of the Pier. There were the usual photographers by the Grizzly Peak waterfall. There was someone in Condor Flats. I know I am skipping over some of them.

In Disneyland, I saw photographers in all of the usual spots, as well as a few extra at the Jingle Jangle Jamboree.

After Thanksgiving there should be a photographer with Santa by the tree at the Grand Californian Hotel and possibly at the Disneyland Hotel (the DLH person is not always there). I could swear that I saw someone in Downtown Disney too.

Overall, I just thought there were more photographers last year than in previous holiday seasons. Again, this all could have been due to the allure of the “re-imagined” California Adventure. Disney may have decided to station more PP photographers around the parks when everything was still new. This year’s holiday season could be very different, though, and the number of photographers could be cut down again.

​

Just to kind of give everyone an idea of how the final stretch of the 2013 Theme Week Countdown is going to go (because it will up the ante a bit!), here is the rundown:

1. On the next 2 Mondays (10/14 and 10/21), there will be brand new themes (new to the Countdown as of this year). Yes, it may not be too hard to figure out what’s ahead, but you won’t know which theme is coming up on which Monday – and one of the two themes will be a ‘double header,’ paired with something else…which you will find out at the time the theme is launched;




2. On Monday, 10/28 there will be another new weekly theme. It’s a theme I just came up with this year. It is a theme that may be difficult to locate photos for because the theme involves a very narrow category (which will be described when we get to 10/28) that may be tricky to fill. Of course, if you do have photos for that theme you will get another entry into the random draw, and you will be able to post photos from that theme all week long (through Sunday, 11/3). Because I was assuming it will be tough for most people to come up with photos to fit the theme, I decided to place the theme right before we kick of the rapid fire/warp speed/lightning round daily themes, so no one has to sit out of the Theme Weeks for long;





3. On Tuesday, 10/29, we kick off the “rapid fire/warp speed/lightning round daily themes.” Every day from 10/29 through Sunday 11/3 there will be a new mini-theme. This is where things will get a little bit trickier. Some of the themes may be tough to find photos for and some will be very easy for some folks. HOWEVER, here is the catch: for every daily mini-theme, the photos for that theme will have to be posted in the thread on the designated theme day.

For example, if I was doing an astronomy-themed Countdown and we got to “Jupiter theme day,” but the following theme day was “Saturn day,” you would not be able to post your Jupiter photos on Saturn day. The photos for the daily mini-themes will have to be posted on the actual days. Yes, it will be challenging to do that, but that’s the whole point!!! Muahahahahahahaha!!! I’m upping the ante! Can you rise to the challenge and get your photos posted on any of the specific days the themes are announced? If so, you get more entries into the random draw. If not, it won’t be a huge deal. You will need to check in on the Superthread daily to see what the theme is;





4. On Monday, 11/4, we will have our final theme -- “Holiday Cornucopia.” This a theme to which everyone should be able to contribute. This is when you can post any photos that didn’t make it into previous Theme Weeks. You may also post favorite holiday photos from other holiday Disney trips you’ve taken (to WDW or any of the international Disney parks). You may post your absolute favorite holiday photos from everything you have already posted in the Countdown. You may post favorite holiday photos from non-Disney trips (like from a great family holiday trip to somewhere other than a Disney park). You may post vintage holiday Disneyland photos (if you have them). Basically, “Holiday Cornucopia” says it all!

The folks who have been following the Code Word Challenge part of the Countdown since August may also post photos for the Cornucopia theme, but if you want an entry into the random draw for that contribution then you cannot do the Code Word Challenge. If you want to stick with the Code Word Challenge and try to be the first one to submit the correct answers for that, then if you post photos during Holiday Cornucopia Theme Week you won’t get an entry for your photo post but we will all still enjoy seeing the photos!;




5. Since the final Theme Week (Holiday Cornucopia) will be kicked off on 11/4, when I put up that post it will contain the final code word in the Code Word Challenge. Anyone who is participating in the Code Word Challenge will then have the final clue in determining the Christmas song to which all of the code words belong. It is very possible that you will have figured out the song before that time, but you will still need to have all of the code words to complete the list.

All Code Word Challenge participants must remember that before you submit any answers, you will have to have a complete list – in order – of all of the Theme Weeks, along with each theme’s corresponding code word, AND the song to which all of the code words belong.

For example, let’s go back to my imaginary astronomy-themed Countdown. The Code Word Challenge participants would have to be compiling a list that looked like this:

Theme 1 – Jupiter – Code Word: flight
Theme 2 – Saturn – Code Word: space
Theme 3 – Milky Way – Code Word: time
Theme 4 – Asteroids – Code Word: long
Theme 5 – Supernovas – Code Word: packed

SONG: “ROCKET MAN”


That’s basically how the final list should look if/when you decide to take on the Code Word Challenge (except minus the space theme!). I will not be putting the code words in order of how they appear in the holiday song, so you will either have to know your holiday songs well in order to be able to figure the song out despite the mixed up order of the words, or you will have to spend some time to look over the words and check song lyrics to figure it all out!!

Remember, too, that if you hastily post what you think is the correct list/answer in the Superthread and you have even one small part of it wrong, you will have to go back over the list and figure out the mistake (I won’t tell you what you specifically have wrong, just that something is not accurate). BUT, your answers may clue in our other participants and give them info to complete their lists, in which case they could essentially swoop in and give the correct answer before you had a chance to try a second time! You could be giving an advantage to the other participants.

So, I guess what I am saying is – Carefully go over your answers and be sure you have the right ones before you post anything. Don’t just post quickly to get in first if you are not sure your answers are 100% accurate. It’s probably not as easy as it sounds because this will all depend on accuracy and then speed (being the first one with the correct response)! Muahahahahaha!!

Whoever the first person is to post the accurate list and correct song will win! If you have the correct list and answer on 11/4, after I have put up the “Holiday Cornucopia” theme, and you are the first person to post it, then you win on 11/4. If a correct answer is not posted until 11/8, then that person wins on 11/8; and




6. As mentioned above, the Code Word Challenge winner will be determined as soon as the first person to post a correct list and answer chimes in. The Random Draw winner will be chosen as soon as we have received the last of the “Holiday Cornucopia” photo submissions. So, to give everyone a chance to get in on the “Holiday Cornucopia” theme, you will have through Sunday, 11/10 to submit photos.

On 11/11 (Veterans Day), I will do the random draw!!! It will be old school-style – I am literally writing every single entry on a tiny piece of paper and crumpling it up. Then, I am tossing each one of the entries from each week into a box. When it comes time to draw a winner, I am shaking up the box to mix up the names, then reaching my hand in and pulling out the name of the winner!!! I will announce the winner here, in the Christmas/Holiday Season Superthread, later that day (11/11/13). I will mail out the two $25 Disney gift cards – to the Code Word Challenge winner and to the Random Draw Winner – on or around Tuesday, 11/12, or basically as soon as I get the addresses of the two winners.



Good luck, everyone! The prizes are not big, but I am still very excited to see who ends up winning both the Code Word Challenge and the Random Draw! In the meantime, we all get to enjoy some awesome, beautiful and fun Disneyland Resort holiday photos!

​

 

[ksromack]

What app is this? I'm already is possession so quite a collection of gift cards, and if I did have to carry all the slippery little suckers that would be awesome.

It's called "Disney Gift Card iPhone App". Search for it in the app store. Warning....you still have to keep the gift cards. It's really just a way for you to keep track the amount of money left on the cards....but that is helpful! AFter your card is depleted you can simply remove the card. I have each of my cards numbered and when I input the card numbers/security codes from the back of each card, there is a space in the app to name the card....that's where I input the number I put on the front. For eg, DL-1, DL-2, etc.....

The cookie (if it is available through the holidays) can be found at New Orleans Square's carts or counter service places. Notice that the frosting was melting rapidly in the hot sun...

(December 2012)

One more Santa Mickey Nutcracker photo. These merry Mice were flying off the shelves, according to CMs. They sold out at both the China Closet and at the gift shop in the GCH. There were still some Santa Mickeys available at the Showcase store on Main Street when I took this photo. The other Mickey Nutcrackers (which I showed you photos of this past Monday) were not selling out as quickly.

Oh, the cookie....I'm going to need to look for this because I love gingerbread and I love icing.

I'm also going to need one of those nutcracker Mickey's. I did get a Mickey popcorn bucket last year......warning....eat the popcorn early in the trip. It gets stale after a few days. lol

Also, memo to self. Don't forget to pack that large Vera Bradley bag inside my suitcase.....to bring back said gifts.....

I wore this Mickey hat at MVMCP! Oh, no, I think it was the Minnie hat but it looks just like the Mickey hat only it has a red bow in front......

And I looked all over for the 2012 Christmas shirt last year....ended up buying a generic green tshirt with Christmas Mickey on the front....figured it would suffice.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

Oh, the cookie....I'm going to need to look for this because I love gingerbread and I love icing.

I'm also going to need one of those nutcracker Mickey's. I did get a Mickey popcorn bucket last year......warning....eat the popcorn early in the trip. It gets stale after a few days. lol

Also, memo to self. Don't forget to pack that large Vera Bradley bag inside my suitcase.....to bring back said gifts.....

I am not a fan of gingerbread but the gingerbread men at DLR are AMAZING!

 

[ksromack]

My original rate was $257 (before tax and non AP) so even with the cost to upgrade my 5 day Park hopper I still save about $175
The CM told me the discount only started today so hopefully there are plenty of nights available on it still.
Also just for info- I was able to have the discount applied to my online reservation without having to get a refund of the original deposit and make a new reservation which was what I was expecting- the first CM just got a supervisor and it was all done.

That's another thing crossed off the list- time is flying by!!

Amy

Also, with this new AP rate you get the following:

Disney FASTPASS Service
Save your place in line on some of your favorite rides while you enjoy the rest of the park. There's so much to do at Disneyland Resortand Disney FASTPASS Service helps you do it!

• Package includes one (1) Disney's FASTPASS ticket for each registered guest (ages 3 and older) in the reservation (maximum 5 guests). Each person in the reservation must be present at hotel check-in to receive a FASTPASS ticket.
• Each Disney's FASTPASS ticket will allow a guest one (1) admission to a FASTPASS return line at any FASTPASS location at the Disneyland Resort Theme Parks. Not valid for World of Color Viewing. Disney's FASTPASS attractions and return lines may not operate daily and Disney's FASTPASS tickets are subject to attraction changes, closures and capacity. No cash value; no substitutions. Tickets may not be sold, copied or transferred for commercial purposes and will not be replaced if lost or stolen. Tickets expire seven (7) days from check-in or December 20, 2013, whichever occurs first. Subject to restrictions and change without notice.

AND:

Disney PhotoPass Service

• Package includes one (1) ticket for a 5"x7" Disney PhotoPass Service print of your choice per reservation.
• The ticket for a 5"x7" Disney PhotoPass Service print of your choice is redeemable at any Disney PhotoPass Sales Center in the Disneyland Resort Theme Parks, except at attraction locations. Not valid for online purchases at DisneyPhotoPass.com. Photo must be claimed within 30 days of being taken. Complimentary 5"x7" photo is for personal use only. Not responsible for missing, lost or damaged photos. May not be combined with other offers or discounts. Ticket expires December 20, 2013 and is subject to restrictions and change without notice.

You really have this whole thing so well thought out! I'm sure I can speak for everyone when I say that this thread has been so much fun....and if possible, it has made the anticipation even bigger for a holiday trip!

So Thank You for all your work!

 

[KCmike]

And how about this character?...

 

[ksromack]

I just ordered my PhotoPass Plus!

Is anyone else planning to do this? I found it invaluable last year at WDW so I'm hoping I'll get my $$ worth out of this one. We already have reservations at Goofy's Kitchen.....and PCH grill is also included in the restaurant PPP locations......I noticed Minnie and Friends Breakfast did NOT mention having PhotoPass photographers present......I originally thought we were maybe getting inside the park pre-opening but it looks like the park will open at 8 am on the day we have an 8:10 am meal planned at Plaza Inn. I'm wondering if we should just stick with the Goofy's Kitchen and maybe add the Surf's Up breakfast so we also get benefit of photopass photographer?

 

[piratenightmares]

I just ordered my PhotoPass Plus!

Is anyone else planning to do this? I found it invaluable last year at WDW so I'm hoping I'll get my $$ worth out of this one. We already have reservations at Goofy's Kitchen.....and PCH grill is also included in the restaurant PPP locations......I noticed Minnie and Friends Breakfast did NOT mention having PhotoPass photographers present......I originally thought we were maybe getting inside the park pre-opening but it looks like the park will open at 8 am on the day we have an 8:10 am meal planned at Plaza Inn. I'm wondering if we should just stick with the Goofy's Kitchen and maybe add the Surf's Up breakfast so we also get benefit of photopass photographer?

As of my last visit: The photopass photographer inside Goofy's Kitchen only takes the photos of your party with Goofy as you go in. They do have the same thing at Minnie's Breakfast when you arrive however it is NOT with a character. It is basically a family photo. At Chip & Dale's they don't take photos. Surf's Up is similar to Goofy's Kitchen if I remember correctly. They don't have photopass people inside to do photos with each character at any of these spots.

I already have my photopass plus for my December trip as well. It is very worth it to me because we always get the photo from Goofy's Kitchen (which I believe is $35.00 if you purchase it separately) AND the Minnie's Breakfast photo (another $35.00) and several ride photos (which I believe are $15.00 each). That alone makes it worth it with the advance photopass. We usually end up with another 200+ photos on our photo pass in 5 days. We stop almost every time we see a photopass photographer. For example we have our photo by the big Christmas tree every day, and also in front of the Castle.

I love photopass plus.

 

[pattyduke34]

Love the Photo Pass + and Characters! Had a great mini photo shoot with one of the photographers! They are great!!

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

I just ordered my PhotoPass Plus! Is anyone else planning to do this? I found it invaluable last year at WDW so I'm hoping I'll get my $$ worth out of this one. We already have reservations at Goofy's Kitchen.....and PCH grill is also included in the restaurant PPP locations......I noticed Minnie and Friends Breakfast did NOT mention having PhotoPass photographers present......I originally thought we were maybe getting inside the park pre-opening but it looks like the park will open at 8 am on the day we have an 8:10 am meal planned at Plaza Inn. I'm wondering if we should just stick with the Goofy's Kitchen and maybe add the Surf's Up breakfast so we also get benefit of photopass photographer?

I ordered mine and it came in the mail last week! We have Ariel's Grotto planned for our trip, but even without any character meals (minus Chip & Dale) last Nov, I found it worth every penny. We have so many great pictures from the trip.

 

[pattyduke34]

Photo pass + is very much worth it. Last Dec we got at least 2 mini photo shoots...I get engaged in front of the castle and one of the photographers even did an reenactment of it all, then another one did at least 20 pictures all over Buena Vista st. got the photos for Minnie breakfast, Goofys and all the rides too!! Already got it for my next trip!!!

 

[Elk Grove Chris]

 

[Sherry E]

First, let me just say !

Let me repeat it.! Fall has finally arrived!

At the risk of sounding like a meteorologist, in L.A. it is currently in the low 60's (I think we're supposed to get to 66 degrees today), chilly and gloomy. A light rain is intermittently falling outside. Not the messy, blinding rain that causes damage and mayhem in the streets, but just a mild, pleasant rain that stops every so often and then falls long enough to clean out the air.

For some, this would be hot cocoa weather. It's not quite cocoa weather for me just yet (it has to drop another 10 or 15 degrees for that), but this is the sort of day that is cocoa-worthy for many folks.

Goodbye Summer! Hello, glorious Autumn!!! Wheeeeeeeee!!!


Next, Mike, pattyduke34 and Elk Grove Chris -- Thank you for posting your excellent Holiday Characters and/or PhotoPass and/or Santa pictures! Everyone has another entry into the random draw.

Very clever to use one of the Billy Hill & the Hillbillies guys as a character, Mike and Chris! I like that -- thinking outside the box! I hadn't even thought about Billy Hill & the Hillbillies as characters, but they absolutely are characters at DL. No doubt about it!

...Oh, the cookie....I'm going to need to look for this because I love gingerbread and I love icing.

I'm also going to need one of those nutcracker Mickey's. I did get a Mickey popcorn bucket last year......warning....eat the popcorn early in the trip. It gets stale after a few days. lol

Also, memo to self. Don't forget to pack that large Vera Bradley bag inside my suitcase.....to bring back said gifts.....


I wore this Mickey hat at MVMCP! Oh, no, I think it was the Minnie hat but it looks just like the Mickey hat only it has a red bow in front......

And I looked all over for the 2012 Christmas shirt last year....ended up buying a generic green tshirt with Christmas Mickey on the front....figured it would suffice.

Kathy --

Even if, for some crazy reason, the Spooky Kooky zombie gingerbread cookie is not available for the whole holiday season (we don't yet know if it is a Halloween Time exclusive, even though it is supposed to be a cookie that is tied in with the 13th year of Haunted Mansion Holiday), the gingerbread men with mouse ears (which you saw several versions of in assorted photos during last week's theme week) are delicious too! You should be able to find those in any candy shop or baked goods store. It's just that the new zombie cookie was softer and fresher, and had quickly-melting frosting (the cookie also had a purple frosting version and a third one as well -- maybe red? I can't recall).

Since you will be at DLR in early December, you will probably be there early enough to get the full effect of the gingerbread house in Storytellers Cafe in the Grand Californian (which you can easily access on foot, and you can go in and look at the house even if you don't eat at the restaurant). The house is near the check-in desk inside the restaurant. It's not a huge house like the one at the Grand Floridian. It sits on a little table. But in early December the smell of that gingerbread is so wonderful!!! It wafts through the air around the waiting area and you can't help but soak it in. I was there in the first week of December in 2011 and the smell of that house in Storytellers was amazing, like it had just been baked. They must have gotten it in and set it up not long before that time. But then I was there in the second week of December last year, and the smell had faded away.

Last year I did not see any Mickey nutcrackers of any kind in November, and I combed a lot of shops. All of a sudden, by the time I went back for my December trip the Nutcrackers were there. They arrived in a later shipment of merchandise, right around Thanksgiving. As you saw from the photos, there are several different clever versions of the Mickey nutcracker but the Santa Mickey was the one in hot demand.

I fully expect that the merchandise people at Disney Parks realized what a popular item the Mickey nutcracker was, and instantly went to work on coming up with more designs for this year's merchandise selection. I think they may put out the same set again (the same ones from last year), but with an addition or two. Maybe Mickey in a different outfit as a nutcracker. Maybe Goofy or Donald nutcrackers. I just expect to see a new one (or two) this year, along with the others from last year.

I think that the red 2012 shirt ended up selling out before the holiday season was even over last year. Disney has a habit of putting a lot of its merchandise out too early -- even before November in many cases -- and people snap it up. The shops don't always get in a new supply. The red shirt was gone even by Christmas day, if I recall correctly.

I am not a fan of gingerbread but the gingerbread men at DLR are AMAZING!

Shannon --

I used to occasionally eat ginger snaps as a kid, but I don't think I really even came to realize that I liked gingerbread all that much (the taste of it, that is -- the smell of it has always been good) until I started eating those gingerbread cookies with mouse ears at DLR! Yum! This year, the zombie cookie was even better than the mouse ears cookies because it was fresher. I would definitely eat it again but it was only available in 2 places in NOS (unlike the more prolific gingerbread man with mouse ears), which leads to more of a chance of it selling out.

You really have this whole thing so well thought out! I'm sure I can speak for everyone when I say that this thread has been so much fun....and if possible, it has made the anticipation even bigger for a holiday trip!

So Thank You for all your work!

Kathy --

Thank you for the kind words! I definitely thought it out and planned it out, arranging for certain themes to fall at certain times for certain reasons. The contest element is new as of this year (I didn't do a contest in the previous Countdowns), so that required even more planning and thinking.

I'm so glad you've been enjoying the thread and the Countdown. It is my goal to make it fun and entertaining, as well as informative and helpful to everyone out there who is planning holiday trips.

There has been a lull in substantial holiday news for a while now -- since we learned about World of Color-Winter Dreams -- so it's good to have something to help us pass the time (like this thread) as we wait for more news. Last year it seemed there was so much news because Cars Land and Buena Vista Street were new, as was the Jingle Jangle Jamboree, and the holiday decorations in those areas was a hot topic.

I just ordered my PhotoPass Plus!

Is anyone else planning to do this? I found it invaluable last year at WDW so I'm hoping I'll get my $$ worth out of this one. We already have reservations at Goofy's Kitchen.....and PCH grill is also included in the restaurant PPP locations......I noticed Minnie and Friends Breakfast did NOT mention having PhotoPass photographers present......I originally thought we were maybe getting inside the park pre-opening but it looks like the park will open at 8 am on the day we have an 8:10 am meal planned at Plaza Inn. I'm wondering if we should just stick with the Goofy's Kitchen and maybe add the Surf's Up breakfast so we also get benefit of photopass photographer?

Kathy --

I have not yet tried the "Plus" version of PhotoPass, but I love PhotoPass in general and I think it's a worthwhile investment for a few different reasons. Taking the photos is so much fun, especially if you get a photographer who really takes the time to make sure you get some good ones. At the very least, it's a great back-up in case something goes wrong with your camera or memory card/battery/film or whatever.

Last year was the first year I didn't do any PhotoPass pictures at all in a long time. I would gladly order PhotoPass Plus every time, for every multi-day overnight stay, if my trips were a little more predictable in terms of who is going. If I knew for a fact that I would have certain people with me on the trips, I would order Plus in a second. However, my trips can range from one friend being there, to several friends being there, to just me by myself -- and I just can't bring myself to pre-order PhotoPass if it's just going to be me by myself.

I love Goofy's Kitchen -- at least I don't have to give you a warning about GK, unlike the PPH and Earl of Sandwich! They may be serving the cobbler with Mickey-shaped crust at the time you're there.

I think you should add Surf's Up -- for the PhotoPass benefit and also because Mickey is there. Minnie & Friends has more characters than any of the other meals, but no Mickey.

As of my last visit: The photopass photographer inside Goofy's Kitchen only takes the photos of your party with Goofy as you go in. They do have the same thing at Minnie's Breakfast when you arrive however it is NOT with a character. It is basically a family photo. At Chip & Dale's they don't take photos. Surf's Up is similar to Goofy's Kitchen if I remember correctly. They don't have photopass people inside to do photos with each character at any of these spots.

I already have my photopass plus for my December trip as well. It is very worth it to me because we always get the photo from Goofy's Kitchen (which I believe is $35.00 if you purchase it separately) AND the Minnie's Breakfast photo (another $35.00) and several ride photos (which I believe are $15.00 each). That alone makes it worth it with the advance photopass. We usually end up with another 200+ photos on our photo pass in 5 days. We stop almost every time we see a photopass photographer. For example we have our photo by the big Christmas tree every day, and also in front of the Castle.

I love photopass plus.

piratenightmares --

Yes, Surf's Up has its photo spot with Mickey inside the restaurant, but near the front.

I totally agree about stopping every time you see a photographer. This was a good idea even before PhotoPass+. It's the best way to get the most value out of what you have paid or will be paying for the CD. I think that it's also a great idea to stop at the same locations on each day of a trip, if it can be managed. You never know which pictures will come out better than others. A photo in front of the Castle or the giant tree on one day may not be as good as a photo in either of those locations on the next day. A photo with the GCH Santa on one day may not be as good as the photo with GCH Santa on the previous day.

Different things like crowds, lighting, weather and, of course, the photographers can impact the overall look of a photo, so it's always a good idea to get a bunch of them. The worst case scenario is that it takes extra time and you end up with two thousand photos! Otherwise, I think that you can't go wrong by getting as many photos as humanly possible with PhotoPass.

I ordered mine and it came in the mail last week! We have Ariel's Grotto planned for our trip, but even without any character meals (minus Chip & Dale) last Nov, I found it worth every penny. We have so many great pictures from the trip.

Jamie --

I agree. I thought PP is worth every penny to begin with, but especially with the added Plus benefits. It's not a lot of money to spend for what could potentially be a whole lot of photos.

Photo pass + is very much worth it. Last Dec we got at least 2 mini photo shoots...I get engaged in front of the castle and one of the photographers even did an reenactment of it all, then another one did at least 20 pictures all over Buena Vista st. got the photos for Minnie breakfast, Goofys and all the rides too!! Already got it for my next trip!!!

pattyduke34 --

Your PhotoPass pictures are so wonderful! I had a big smile on my face when looking at your recent installment for the current Theme Week. In every photo it is clear how much fun you guys are having, which is how it should be when doing PhotoPass pictures! That's what it is all about -- fun, and memories!

 

[PHXscuba]

first, let me just say !

Let me repeat it.! Fall has finally arrived!

At the risk of sounding like a meteorologist, in l.a. It is currently in the low 60's (i think we're supposed to get to 66 degrees today), chilly and gloomy. A light rain is intermittently falling outside. Not the messy, blinding rain that causes damage and mayhem in the streets, but just a mild, pleasant rain that stops every so often and then falls long enough to clean out the air.

For some, this would be hot cocoa weather. It's not quite cocoa weather for me just yet (it has to drop another 10 or 15 degrees for that), but this is the sort of day that is cocoa-worthy for many folks.

Goodbye summer! Hello, glorious autumn!!! Wheeeeeeeee!!!


Even if, for some crazy reason, the spooky kooky zombie gingerbread cookie is not available for the whole holiday season (we don't yet know if it is a halloween time exclusive, even though it is supposed to be a cookie that is tied in with the 13th year of haunted mansion holiday), the gingerbread men with mouse ears (which you saw several versions of in assorted photos during last week's theme week) are delicious too! You should be able to find those in any candy shop or baked goods store. It's just that the new zombie cookie was softer and fresher, and had quickly-melting frosting (the cookie also had a purple frosting version and a third one as well -- maybe red? I can't recall).

Sherry, the other zombie cookie frosting color is orange. I ate one that color!! It will be in my TR when I finally get there. And it was delicious.

And I am loving "fall" too, even if it's the AZ version -- 90 with a wonderful breeze. It's supposed to be 73 tomorrow and we get your rain. I may need to bundle up! Actually I was outside both nights last weekend til late (with the band) and needed jeans and a light sweatshirt!

While it's not cocoa weather yet, it's not stopping me from decorating and scheming!

PHXscuba
i

 

[tinkermell]

Sherry, All I can say is WOW!

You must have spent a kazillion hours putting this great thread together.
It's so much easier finding information now.
Thank you for all of your hard work and thoughts that went into it.

Just found out about the new AP discount at the resorts, thanks to the DIS again, and decided to bite the dust and go for it. We will be there from Dec. 2-4th. So excited.

Looking forward to hearing more info on the Candlelight Processional. Hopefully we will find out fairly soon.

Thanks again!

 

[crystal1313]

Here's my DS5 with Santa at Elias & Co.

 

[Sherry E]

crystal1313 - You've got another entry into the random draw! What a cute picture! I was beginning to wonder what happened to you -- you disappeared for the last couple of Theme Weeks!

Sherry, the other zombie cookie frosting color is orange. I ate one that color!! It will be in my TR when I finally get there. And it was delicious.

And I am loving "fall" too, even if it's the AZ version -- 90 with a wonderful breeze. It's supposed to be 73 tomorrow and we get your rain. I may need to bundle up! Actually I was outside both nights last weekend til late (with the band) and needed jeans and a light sweatshirt!

While it's not cocoa weather yet, it's not stopping me from decorating and scheming!

PHXscuba
i

PHX --

I had to chuckle at the Arizona version of autumnal weather -- a chilly 90 degrees with a breeze!

You'd think that the color orange would have occurred to me, since the cookies are being sold for Halloween Time. Orange is the most obvious Halloween color and yet I was thinking of red! I remembered the purple-ish color (more like lavender), and not the orange!

Our rain did not last long. In fact, now a tiny bit of sun is peeking through the gloomy sky. It was really windy for about 15 minutes, and then that disappeared too. And sure enough, by Tuesday it is supposed to be back up to 80-something degrees. No wonder people get sick so often -- one day it's 90-something degrees. Then it's in the 60's. Then back up to 80-something.

Sherry, All I can say is WOW!

You must have spent a kazillion hours putting this great thread together.
It's so much easier finding information now.
Thank you for all of your hard work and thoughts that went into it.

Just found out about the new AP discount at the resorts, thanks to the DIS again, and decided to bite the dust and go for it. We will be there from Dec. 2-4th. So excited.

Looking forward to hearing more info on the Candlelight Processional. Hopefully we will find out fairly soon.

Thanks again!

Hi, Melody!

Well, first of all, thank you so much for the kind words. And yes, I won't lie -- it took a lot of time to put this thread together. I don't even know how long it took me to put together all of the posts on page 1, to be honest, between hunting down blogs, threads, articles, organizing them by subject and/or by year, selecting my own photos to use for the thumbnails in several of those posts, re-sizing them, etc., etc. I have a good memory, so I could recall certain threads, articles or posts by other DIS'ers that I wanted to include but it was still quite the project. It was something that had to be worked on in stages. And then, organizing the Theme Week Countdown for this year was quite the project too. It's all a labor of love, though, because I love the holiday season at DLR and I think the end result is a good one.

Also, I must give a shout out to all of the great people who follow this thread and share their photos and experiences, answer questions, etc. That is extremely valuable to this thread, and a big help to me!

The next Halloween Superthread (after the current one) will be like this as well (the same sort of layout as the first 9 posts on page 1 of this thread). With each thread I get a clearer picture of what will work and be most effective, what needs to be done, and how to present it, and I think the key is to separate things by category into different posts.

The Candlelight Processional/Ceremony is only taking place on Sat., 12/7 and Sun., 12/8 this year. I am sad about this, as I fell in love with the Ceremony last year and would love more of a chance to see it. Apparently -- according to rumors -- Main Street took a big hit to its revenue when the CP ran for 20 nights, so this year it is back down to only 2 nights. I think that Disney will find a way to capitalize on it in the future -- maybe next year they will relocate the CP and offer dinner packages -- but right now, only the 2 invitation-only nights.

At least there's not going to be a Christmas party this year, though -- and that's a good thing (until DLR finds some brand new entertainment to put in a party!)!

I still feel that a compromise could have been reached on the CP -- it seems like there could have been a happy medium between 20 nights and 2 nights. A middle ground of some sort. That seems like a very extreme drop in performances, doesn't it?

Where are you staying in December?

 

[ksromack]

Photo pass + is very much worth it. Last Dec we got at least 2 mini photo shoots...I get engaged in front of the castle and one of the photographers even did an reenactment of it all, then another one did at least 20 pictures all over Buena Vista st. got the photos for Minnie breakfast, Goofys and all the rides too!! Already got it for my next trip!!!

How do you get a "mini photo shoot"? I must say your photopass pictures were so much fun....felt like I was right there with you, and how fun to be engaged in DLR!

At the risk of sounding like a meteorologist, in L.A. it is currently in the low 60's (I think we're supposed to get to 66 degrees today), chilly and gloomy. A light rain is intermittently falling outside. Not the messy, blinding rain that causes damage and mayhem in the streets, but just a mild, pleasant rain that stops every so often and then falls long enough to clean out the air.

For some, this would be hot cocoa weather. It's not quite cocoa weather for me just yet (it has to drop another 10 or 15 degrees for that), but this is the sort of day that is cocoa-worthy for many folks.

Goodbye Summer! Hello, glorious Autumn!!! Wheeeeeeeee!!!

Amen to Fall! That means our trip is that much closer! Woohoo......
I think LA is having temps slightly lower than StL! Gametime tonight was close to 70!

Next, Mike, pattyduke34 and Elk Grove Chris -- Thank you for posting your excellent Holiday Characters and/or PhotoPass and/or Santa pictures! Everyone has another entry into the random draw.

Excellent photos is right!

Very clever to use one of the Billy Hill & the Hillbillies guys as a character, Mike and Chris! I like that -- thinking outside the box! I hadn't even thought about Billy Hill & the Hillbillies as characters, but they absolutely are characters at DL. No doubt about it!

So where do Billy Hill and the Hillbillies play? Do they do a Christmas Show? Did I read somewhere they move from The Golden Horseshoe for the Hollidays? Did I just make that up?

Since you will be at DLR in early December, you will probably be there early enough to get the full effect of the gingerbread house in Storytellers Cafe in the Grand Californian (which you can easily access on foot, and you can go in and look at the house even if you don't eat at the restaurant). The house is near the check-in desk inside the restaurant. It's not a huge house like the one at the Grand Floridian. It sits on a little table.

Last year I did not see any Mickey nutcrackers of any kind in November, and I combed a lot of shops. All of a sudden, by the time I went back for my December trip the Nutcrackers were there.

I'm going to be needing one of those.

I think you should add Surf's Up -- for the PhotoPass benefit and also because Mickey is there. Minnie & Friends has more characters than any of the other meals, but no Mickey.

I think maybe we'll add Surf's Up on our last day.....I just changed our flight home and instead of leaving at 5:15 pm and having a layout in LAS we'll be leaving at 12:55 but taking a non-stop home. I also saved $71 at Southwest Airlines by doing this......It looks like we'll be flying home to dh's family for Christmas this year. We've been married 12 years and never have spent Christmas with his family in Ohio.....all of our kids are here in StL but his dad is pretty sick and well, we need to get back.

Looking forward to hearing more info on the Candlelight Processional. Hopefully we will find out fairly soon.

Thanks again!

From your mouth to God's ears! I'm a little eager to hear about this as well!

The next Halloween Superthread (after the current one) will be like this as well (the same sort of layout as the first 9 posts on page 1 of this thread). With each thread I get a clearer picture of what will work and be most effective, what needs to be done, and how to present it, and I think the key is to separate things by category into different posts.

AFter this Dec trip it looks like work will send dh to Anaheim in the spring...where I will be happy to tag along We are trying to plan for an October trip or maybe a September trip to coincide with Halloween theming next year.....gotta get our money's worth from the APs!

 

[Sherry E]

How do you get a "mini photo shoot"? I must say your photopass pictures were so much fun....felt like I was right there with you, and how fun to be engaged in DLR!


Amen to Fall! That means our trip is that much closer! Woohoo......
I think LA is having temps slightly lower than StL! Gametime tonight was close to 70!

So where do Billy Hill and the Hillbillies play? Do they do a Christmas Show? Did I read somewhere they move from The Golden Horseshoe for the Hollidays? Did I just make that up?


I think maybe we'll add Surf's Up on our last day.....I just changed our flight home and instead of leaving at 5:15 pm and having a layout in LAS we'll be leaving at 12:55 but taking a non-stop home. I also saved $71 at Southwest Airlines by doing this......It looks like we'll be flying home to dh's family for Christmas this year. We've been married 12 years and never have spent Christmas with his family in Ohio.....all of our kids are here in StL but his dad is pretty sick and well, we need to get back.

Kathy --

Hopefully pattyduke34 will pop in soon to give you a better answer about the mini photo shoots, but from all that I've heard it seems that when the PP photographers notice that a guest is a PhotoPass+ user, they take extra time and pay extra attention by way of taking more photos and doing fun things -- even more so than just the non-Plus PhotoPass people who use the regular PhotoPass service.

I love Fall! It's a great season. Apparently it didn't even get to 66 degrees here in L.A. today. The last report I saw said we only got to 64 degrees. The trouble is, it doesn't last. It will be back up to 80+ degrees within several days.

You're correct -- Billy Hill & the Hillbillies moved out of the Golden Horseshoe for Halloween Time and for the holiday season and relocated to the Halloween Carnival and the Jingle Jangle Jamboree, respectively. They play theme-appropriate songs for each season. They play holiday tunes for the holidays and they were playing "Devil Went Down to Georgia" when I saw them last month at the start of Halloween Time.

It sounds like your DH's family will be very happy that you are going to spend Christmas with them in Ohio (which I hear can be quite snowy!). I think that will be great for your DH's dad.

From your mouth to God's ears! I'm a little eager to hear about this as well!

The funny thing is that the Candlelight narrator or narrators have probably already been selected, but because Disney is going back to 2 nights this year instead of 20, they are not making a big deal of announcing who it might be. They like John Stamos, though, and he likes them. So he could always come back.

AFter this Dec trip it looks like work will send dh to Anaheim in the spring...where I will be happy to tag along We are trying to plan for an October trip or maybe a September trip to coincide with Halloween theming next year.....gotta get our money's worth from the APs!

I don't blame you! As long as you have that AP you might as well experience Halloween Time and Springtime as well! Halloween Time is great fun, but after your December holiday trip you will notice that Halloween Time is not quite as built up and developed as the holiday season is. Still, it is worth a visit because it is very festive, and hopefully by 2014 there will be something new added to the Halloween Time offerings!

 

[pattyduke34]

How do you get a "mini photo shoot"? I must say your photopass pictures were so much fun....felt like I was right there with you, and how fun to be engaged in DLR!.

I just talked to the photographers...when they were just standing there I would approach them and start taking to them..and once they found out I had photo pass+ they took sooo many more pictures. Yes getting engaged at Disneyland and at Christmas time, nothing could have been better!