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

[Sherry E]

Can you tell me if the Haunted Mansion is still done up with the Nightmare Before Christmas theme during the Christmas holiday season

laurasvwee -

Hello and welcome! You posted this Haunted Mansion question in the Halloween thread and I answered it yesterday. You must not have seen it. Yes, Haunted Mansion Holiday will be in effect from September 13th this year all the way to the end of the holiday season in early January 2014 (probably January 5th or 6th).

Check out Page 1 of this thread -- the first 9 posts have lots and lots of information about the whole season.

​

Okay, I should preface this by saying that I did not go to the main DL forum (yet). I came directly to this thread first, because I said we would be discussing breaking news and rumors here! So, that said, I have no clue yet what has been discussed on the main forum and if this is already old news!

I should also add the disclaimer that this is not official...

But, according to MiceChat/Miceage (which is no more an official Disney source than DISboards is), it appears that an all new holiday World of Color is headed to the Christmas season this year!

Again, this is not confirmed by Disney, so it may or may not happen. But I have been saying all along that Disney needs to add something Christmas-y into DCA to either have that as the "draw" for a possible party in DCA, or to give people an option of something to do if they don't want to shell out money for a party in Disneyland. (I still think they should just have the party in DCA.)

Miceage seems to think that the holiday World of Color is going to do exactly that -- give people an option of something to do/see instead of a party, and that the party will be held in DL, holding the holiday fireworks, snow and holiday parade hostage. (Don't take the snow away from the people who cannot afford the extra cost of a party for their large families!)

So...I would expect that we will get a big Disney Parks Blog announcement about a party at some point. I'm sure the holiday parade, snow and fireworks will be available to the general, non-party public over Christmas week and New Year's week -- the busiest times of the year, basically!

I also think that Disney is trying to make haste with having this party and that is why they haven't figured out a "back-up plan" for the Candlelight Ceremony yet. They shifted priorities. I think that if there were not going to be a party this year, they would try to put the CP elsewhere in DL.

So, I want to know...where is the holiday Toy Story Midway Mania?

 

[Sherry E]

I'm a happy Christmas thread camper tonight.

Sherry's going to take a holiday trip in ~12/7/8 and CKmike is going too! Double treat

TK -

Hopefully! That 12/8 date is when I would likely be aiming to go this year even if it were not a CP weekend. But if I decided that I want to brave the CP crowds and the more difficult seating situation and try to see the show, at least I'd have that option.

 

[mom2rtk]

Okay, I should preface this by saying that I did not go to the main DL forum (yet). I came directly to this thread first, because I said we would be discussing breaking news and rumors here! So, that said, I have no clue yet what has been discussed on the main forum and if this is already old news!

I should also add the disclaimer that this is not official...

But, according to MiceChat/Miceage (which is no more an official Disney source than DISboards is), it appears that an all new holiday World of Color is headed to the Christmas season this year!

Again, this is not confirmed by Disney, so it may or may not happen. But I have been saying all along that Disney needs to add something Chrismas-y into DCA to either have that as the "draw" for a possible party in DCA, or to give people an option of something to do if they don't want to shell out money for a party in Disneyland. (I still think they should just have the party in DCA.)

Miceage seems to think that the holiday World of Color is going to do exactly that -- give people an option of something to do/see instead of a party, and that the party will be held in DL, holding the holiday fireworks, snow and holiday parade hostage. (Don't take the snow away from the people who cannot afford the extra cost of a party for their large families!)

So...I would expect that we will get a big Disney Parks Blog announcement about a party at some point. I'm sure the holiday parade, snow and fireworks will be available to the general, non-party public over Christmas week and New Year's week -- the busiest times of the year, basically!

I also think that Disney is trying to make haste with having this party and that is why they haven't figured out a "back-up plan" for the Candlelight Ceremony yet. They shifted priorities. I think that if there were not going to be a party this year, they would try to put the CP elsewhere in DL.

So, I want to know...where is the holiday Toy Story Midway Mania?

I'll be waiting to hear something official, but thanks so much for the breaking unofficial news!

I absolutely think holiday WOC would be their attempt to give back what they would be taking away if they make many of the other holiday offerings unique to a party.

At WDW, they only hold parties up to 4 or 5 days before Christmas. The parks just get too busy to close early at that point. But the very next day, the parade, fireworks and shows are incorporated into the regular park day. The special characters don't appear though.

 

[Phoenixrising]

Murphy's Law states: That the second I plan a trip to DL during a major holiday (such as Halloween) that they will plan a holiday party for the first time, therefore guaranteeing that I'll want to go to it. It happened when I went to DL during Halloween time in 2010, and it's looking like it's going to happen again, this time for Christmas time at DL. In your infinite wisdom if they were to hold a party similar to WDW's MVMCP, when do think it would start??? Do you think that they would start the parties before Thanksgiving?? It's going to be an interesting month or two, as we find out what TDA's plans are going to be for the Christmas time season this year for DL and CA. The fact that they've started to release info on Christmas time in the parks this early, means that they are up to something.

 

[Sherry E]

I'll be waiting to hear something official, but thanks so much for the breaking unofficial news!

I absolutely think holiday WOC would be their attempt to give back what they would be taking away if they make many of the other holiday offerings unique to a party.

At WDW, they only hold parties up to 4 or 5 days before Christmas. The parks just get too busy to close early at that point. But the very next day, the parade, fireworks and shows are incorporated into the regular park day. The special characters don't appear though.

Janet --

You're welcome! When I signed in here I thought "There are probably already 5 threads about the holiday World of Color on the main forum, but I am heading straight to the Superthread!"

I was very surprised to see the email newsletter from Miceage with a mention of the holiday World of Color. I figured it would be a while before we heard much more (since we already got the news of the season start date and the probable 2-night CP within a week's time).

Disney could always change the game plan and Miceage's info could be incorrect within a few months, but that holiday WoC has been ominously lurking in the shadows, waiting to pounce, for years! So has the TSMM holiday version, which should be coming along any time now! I would like for DCA to have both the holiday WoC and the holiday TSMM running at the same time!

Yes, Disney definitely could not get away with taking away the longstanding holiday parade, longstanding holiday fireworks and the snow from the majority of the holiday season, starting in early November, then charging people extra to see them, without adding something new into the equation somewhere. There would be a mutiny and they would only come off as looking greedy.

At this rate, Disney may add in something new to a party too -- something to give the people who have already experienced the fireworks, snow and parade a reason to want to buy tickets!

 

[mom2rtk]

Murphy's Law states: That the second I plan a trip to DL during a major holiday (such as Halloween) that they will plan a holiday party for the first time, therefore guaranteeing that I'll want to go to it. It happened when I went to DL during Halloween time in 2010, and it's looking like it's going to happen again, this time for Christmas time at DL. In your infinite wisdom if they were to hold a party similar to WDW's MVMCP, when do think it would start??? Do you think that they would start the parties before Thanksgiving?? It's going to be an interesting month or two, as we find out what TDA's plans are going to be for the Christmas time season this year for DL and CA. The fact that they've started to release info on Christmas time in the parks this early, means that they are up to something.

MVMCP at WDW starts on 11/8. But they also start their Halloween parties much earlier than DLR so I wouldn't be surprised to see them wait longer to get going on a Christmas party as well.

 

[mom2rtk]

At this rate, Disney may add in something new to a party too -- something to give the people who have already experienced the fireworks, snow and parade a reason to want to buy tickets!

I had the same thought. I'm thinking they would want to go all out to make sure it's a great success from the get go. And getting people who saw it all for "free" just last year could be a challenge. So I do hope they really soup it up with some great character meets! And noting personal, but I hope everyone is so mad at Disney for the change that they all stay home! But alas I know better.

I do know there is an awful lot of talk on the WDW board about how great the Christmas party used to be...... how much more you got for your money. Not sure if that's just the nature of the beast, or if their strategy is to jam-pack the party when first offered and slowly take away whatever they feel they can get away with. Either way, I'm thinking it will be a great year to be at DLR!

Sherry, we are back and forth between the week right after Thanksgiving and the following week. Do you think them possibly doing CP just that one weekend will make the parks even busier that weekend or the weeks surrounding it? I'm not sure if I want to fight huge crowds to see the CP or not. I'm still mulling it over. In all our trips to WDW in December, we still haven't seen it. I just don't like huge waits or crowd scenes.

 

[Sherry E]

Murphy's Law states: That the second I plan a trip to DL during a major holiday (such as Halloween) that they will plan a holiday party for the first time, therefore guaranteeing that I'll want to go to it. It happened when I went to DL during Halloween time in 2010, and it's looking like it's going to happen again, this time for Christmas time at DL. In your infinite wisdom if they were to hold a party similar to WDW's MVMCP, when do think it would start??? Do you think that they would start the parties before Thanksgiving?? It's going to be an interesting month or two, as we find out what TDA's plans are going to be for the Christmas time season this year for DL and CA. The fact that they've started to release info on Christmas time in the parks this early, means that they are up to something.

Trish -

Yes, I definitely thought that the very early release of the season start date by Disney this year meant that they had something brewing in terms of new events. If it were going to be business as usual, they probably would not have let the date out until August.

Whether or not there will be a party this year in addition to the new holiday WoC, or whether it will just be a holiday WoC and that's it, is anyone's guess at this point. Until we see something directly coming from an official Disney source, in print on one of the official Disney sites or via e-mail, then we can't be sure what's happening. Miceage's printed rumors have often turned out to not happen.

I wonder about a potential party start date too. I have no clue. My guess (and I could be totally off the mark here) is that IF there is a party it would begin very soon after the holiday season begins, so shortly after 11/12, and will probably last up until a few days before Christmas, happening on a couple of nights each week.

Miceage's article claimed that the holiday WoC is supposedly slated to begin on 11/8 (or that is the goal, anyway) -- in time for the Veterans Day weekend, which is when I think IASW Holiday will be running.

 

[Sherry E]

I had the same thought. I'm thinking they would want to go all out to make sure it's a great success from the get go. And getting people who saw it all for "free" just last year could be a challenge. So I do hope they really soup it up with some great character meets! And noting personal, but I hope everyone is so mad at Disney for the change that they all stay home! But alas I know better.

I do know there is an awful lot of talk on the WDW board about how great the Christmas party used to be...... how much more you got for your money. Not sure if that's just the nature of the beast, or if their strategy is to jam-pack the party when first offered and slowly take away whatever they feel they can get away with. Either way, I'm thinking it will be a great year to be at DLR!

Sherry, we are back and forth between the week right after Thanksgiving and the following week. Do you think them possibly doing CP just that one weekend will make the parks even busier that weekend or the weeks surrounding it? I'm not sure if I want to fight huge crowds to see the CP or not. I'm still mulling it over. In all our trips to WDW in December, we still haven't seen it. I just don't like huge waits or crowd scenes.

Janet -

I don't think the 2-night CP will make the parks busier in the weeks surrounding it.

The actual days of the CP might be different. I've been to DLR on the second day of a 2-CP weekend before (this was prior to my actually seeing the CP), in 2011, and the crowds in Disneyland were okay earlier in the day but around mid-afternoon it got very busy. Other people have reported crazy crowds all day on both CP days. I think that cutting the CP back to 2 nights may end up attracting a lot of people on those days -- not just the people who have been seeing it for decades but the people who got to see it for the first time last year during the 20-night run and want to see it again.

Other than the actual days of 12/7 and 12/8, I don't think the CP will affect crowds in Disneyland.

A new party -- if there is one -- would probably impact crowds a bit, because people who are not attending it could try to get all of their Disneyland time in earlier, which I think sometimes happens on the Halloween party days.

Disney definitely has to put something in that party for the longtime holiday visitors, to get them to want to pay for tickets. They can't put all of their eggs in the "new holiday visitor" basket. I'd hate to think that they just strip away all of the nighttime entertainment and almost force families whose kids love the holiday parade to have to buy tickets, but that is probably what they will do!

I definitely think Disney tries to take away what they feel they can get away with, then hopes that people won't make too much of a fuss. There are times when some of us notice that even the decorations look a bit more sparse in certain spots than other times -- we will notice if Roger Rabbit is not wearing his Santa suit in his permanent spot above the entrance to Car Toon Spin in Toon Town, for example -- but Disney probably doesn't expect people to notice things that closely. Wrong! They don't know who they are dealing with!

 

[mom2rtk]

Janet -

I don't think the 2-night CP will make the parks busier in the weeks surrounding it.

The actual days of the CP might be different. I've been to DLR on the second day of a 2-CP weekend before (this was prior to my actually seeing the CP), in 2011, and the crowds in Disneyland were okay earlier in the day but around mid-afternoon it got very busy. Other people have reported crazy crowds all day on both CP days. I think that cutting the CP back to 2 nights may end up attracting a lot of people on those days -- not just the people who have been seeing it for decades but the people who got to see it for the first time last year during the 20-night run and want to see it again.

Other than the actual days of 12/7 and 12/8, I don't think the CP will affect crowds in Disneyland.

A new party -- if there is one -- would probably impact crowds a bit, because people who are not attending it could try to get all of their Disneyland time in earlier, which I think sometimes happens on the Halloween party days.

Disney definitely has to put something in that party for the longtime holiday visitors, to get them to want to pay for tickets. They can't put all of their eggs in the "new holiday visitor" basket. I'd hate to think that they just strip away all of the nighttime entertainment and almost force families whose kids love the holiday parade to have to buy tickets, but that is probably what they will do!

I definitely think Disney tries to take away what they feel they can get away with, then hopes that people won't make too much of a fuss. There are times when some of us notice that even the decorations look a bit more sparse in certain spots than other times -- we will notice if Roger Rabbit is not wearing his Santa suit in his permanent spot above the entrance to Car Toon Spin in Toon Town, for example -- but Disney probably doesn't expect people to notice things that closely. Wrong! They don't know who they are dealing with!

One of the things I love about visiting WDW in the Oct/Dec timeframe is what the parties do to crowd levels. Crowds thin out in the MK on party days (all day) because people don't want to use a park ticket in the MK on a shorter day with no fireworks. But I'm guessing that's not really the case at DLR since more people have park hoppers and just go back and forth.

Just curious what your observations are about crowd levels at DL on Halloween party days?

It's going to be interesting to see how this unfolds (if the party is coming) just as a study in business strategy.

 

[czmom]

Wow, I have missed a lot this afternoon! Thank you, Sherry, for keeping us informed of what may happen. This is definitely an exciting year to be heading to DLR.

 

[DizMe]

Hi, DizMe!

You know, last year was my first year seeing the CP, and that was during the marathon 20-night run of it. I know the later parade was impacted on CP nights and the time was changed or there was just one parade, but when the CP used to be just a 2-night event (as it sounds like it will probably be this year), I'm not sure what happened with the parade. I'm sure that the evening parade must be affected. I don't see how it couldn't be. Maybe the time is changed and the last parade is moved to an earlier point in the day.

The item about the CP that I saw (and also probably that perlster saw) was on MiceChat, posted yesterday by a person whose choir director received the letter from Disney announcing the 12/7 and 12/8 CP dates dates. So it wasn't an "official" announcement from Disney to the public that the rest of us got or saw, but as perlster said yesterday, it was third-hand (or at least second-hand). If you look in the MiceChat forums I'm sure you will see the thread about the CP returning to its traditional schedule and you can decide for yourselves if it seems legitimate or credible.

I think the parade would have a normal schedule on 12/5 and 12/6, however -- that is, unless Disney unveils a party of some kind that interferes!

So much uncertainty!

Thanks, Sherry! I decided to play it safe and reserve a room for BOTH weekends. I have plenty of time to decide which time to go! I've never been later than the week after Thanksgiving. Is it more crowded the second week of Dec than the first? I'm thinking we'd probably prefer to avoid the CP days.

 

[Sherry E]

I should point out -- for anyone who is lurking out there, or anyone who just wants to see the MiceAge/MiceChat piece about the holiday WoC themselves -- the article is called "MiceAge Update: Disneyland Scrooged At Last." Google it and you will find it on MiceChat.

The MiceChat newsletter I received began with these words:

It's Christmas in May! Well, at the Disneyland Resort, it is anyway. We hear big news from the Anaheim property as a Holiday World of Color is used to mitigate problems that may arise from charging extra for Christmas inside Walt's original park......

One of the things I love about visiting WDW in the Oct/Dec timeframe is what the parties do to crowd levels. Crowds thin out in the MK on party days (all day) because people don't want to use a park ticket in the MK on a shorter day with no fireworks. But I'm guessing that's not really the case at DLR since more people have park hoppers and just go back and forth.

Just curious what your observations are about crowd levels at DL on Halloween party days?

It's going to be interesting to see how this unfolds (if the party is coming) just as a study in business strategy.

Janet -

Well, the last time I attended Mickey's Halloween Party the crowds were not too bad in the daytime (it was a Monday). However, as soon as that overlap time rolled around -- the 3 hours in which the party guests and non-party guests can be in the park together -- crowds picked up considerably. And I felt that the party was too busy with people to seem very exclusive.

I have read other reports in which people said the parks were really busy pre-party, though that could have to do with different days of the week.

Ordinarily I say that the first and second Mondays in December are pretty lovely, crowd-wise, but who knows what will happen this year.

It will be interesting to see how this unfolds, indeed! I wonder if the Limited Time Magic theme is going to sort of introduce a Christmas party --or introduce the holiday World of Color.

Wow, I have missed a lot this afternoon! Thank you, Sherry, for keeping us informed of what may happen. This is definitely an exciting year to be heading to DLR.

czmom --

You're welcome! It will be exciting to see what actually does end up happening!

Thanks, Sherry! I decided to play it safe and reserve a room for BOTH weekends. I have plenty of time to decide which time to go! I've never been later than the week after Thanksgiving. Is it more crowded the second week of Dec than the first? I'm thinking we'd probably prefer to avoid the CP days.

DizMe --

You're welcome! That sounds like a good idea, to book both weekends. I've been to DLR both the first and second weeks of December. I found Mondays to be really good in terms of lighter crowds during both of those weeks. Tuesdays always seem to be busier, for some weird reason. Wednesday during the first week in December was a little less crowded than the Wednesday in the second week. Weekends will be busy no matter what.

But now, if MiceAge is right and there is a party coming this year, that could either mean lighter crowds or heavier crowds in the daytime before the parties. I wish Disney would hurry up and tell us officially what is happening, because MiceAge's report could be based on rumors that may never materialize!

 

[egritz]

Any guesses as to what the tickets will cost for the private party if they do it? This our first trip at Christmas and I will be SO bummed if we end up having to pay extra for so much of the magic I was expecting to see.

 

[Sherry E]

Any guesses as to what the tickets will cost for the private party if they do it? This our first trip at Christmas and I will be SO bummed if we end up having to pay extra for so much of the magic I was expecting to see.

egritz --

I think you will not be alone in feeling that way. It's a lot of magic to take away from the regular day-to-day festivities. There are a lot of families who go to DLR every year for the holiday season, and if their kids happen to love the holiday parade, snow and holiday fireworks they could now possibly be in a position to have to shell out a lot of extra cash so their kids can see those things.

My guess is that Christmas party tickets would be in the price range of Halloween Party tickets, probably ranging from $50 - $65-ish dollars, and maybe slightly lower on certain nights that are expected to be less busy. AP holders, DVC owners and Disney Visa Card holders would probably be able to buy tickets a little early, for a discount.

Also, IF there is a party I would think that Disney will offer holiday tour and party combo packages to people who want them, which is what they did with Halloween Time (they offered a thing called the Ultimate package, which included the Halloween Party and Happiest Haunts tour). That was well over $100, but I can't recall the exact amount without looking it up (which I will).

 

[egritz]

egritz --

I think you will not be alone in feeling that way. It's a lot of magic to take away from the regular day-to-day festivities. There are a lot of families who go to DLR every year for the holiday season, and if their kids happen to love the holiday parade, snow and holiday fireworks they could now possibly be in a position to have to shell out a lot of extra cash so their kids can see those things.

My guess is that Christmas party tickets would be in the price range of Halloween Party tickets, probably ranging from $50 - $65-ish dollars, and maybe slightly lower on certain nights that are expected to be less busy. AP holders, DVC owners and Disney Visa Card holders would probably be able to buy tickets a little early, for a discount.

Also, IF there is a party I would think that Disney will offer holiday tour and party combo packages to people who want them, which is what they did with Halloween Time (they offered a thing called the Ultimate package, which included the Halloween Party and Happiest Haunts tour). That was well over $100, but I can't recall the exact amount without looking it up (which I will).

Ouch that is $200, We are Visa Cardholders which I guess is an advantage. But still frustrating. I love Disney but I get so frustrated with the "corporation" part of it. But I digress. This trip is about Christmas in DL and we'll do what we need to enjoy it fully (which I'm sure is what Disney is banking on). I'm just bummed we may not get to experience it each night we are there (total of 5 nights).

 

[aidensmom31]

So if I am understanding right they most likely would end the christmas parties before 12/24? Kinda sad if that is the case but I understand it, just will have to plan earlier trip next year

 

[mom2rtk]

So if I am understanding right they most likely would end the christmas parties before 12/24? Kinda sad if that is the case but I understand it, just will have to plan earlier trip next year

Yes, they likely would end at least a few days before that. It's just too hard to close the park early when crowds really start to pick up. So most likely it would coincide with when most schools get out for break.

 

[darph nader]

Please be slow on Dec 16th and 17th. My only time to do DL at Christmas time.

 

[Sherry E]

Ouch that is $200, We are Visa Cardholders which I guess is an advantage. But still frustrating. I love Disney but I get so frustrated with the "corporation" part of it. But I digress. This trip is about Christmas in DL and we'll do what we need to enjoy it fully (which I'm sure is what Disney is banking on). I'm just bummed we may not get to experience it each night we are there (total of 5 nights).

egritz --

The Visa would help get you a bit of a discount if this party happens, if it's one of the nights Disney sells discounted tickets for (like some of the Halloween parties are discounted; some are not).

I have to find that Ultimate tour/party combo info for Halloween Time last year, as it would probably be a good indicator of how Disney would handle a Christmas party/tour combo package. It was costly, but at least discounts could be used.

You'll definitely enjoy Disneyland during the holidays -- with or without a party. There is enough to see and do in the parks, DTD and the hotels that I think you'll love it. There have got to be at least a couple of nights during your trip when there would not be a party, and on those nights you have to make sure to go back to IASW Holiday when it's lit up in colors, as well as catch the Winter Castle when it's lit up in its icicle lights. The icicle lights turn on and off through the evening, so you've got to time it right so you can get a photo in front of it when the icicles are on. Let's hope DLR doesn't decide to hold the icicle lights hostage to a party too!

I know what you mean -- sometimes the "corporation" aspect of Disney seems to rule out and let greed seep in, which makes it hard to enjoy the magic. I have to literally put prices and reduced holiday entertainment out of my mind when I go there so I can immerse myself in the Christmas fun. If I stop to think about some of Disney's questionable decisions at times, I would probably start to get angry!

So if I am understanding right they most likely would end the christmas parties before 12/24? Kinda sad if that is the case but I understand it, just will have to plan earlier trip next year

aidensmom31 --

Yes. I agree with what Janet posted to you above. I think that IF there is a party -- and it is still not set in stone yet -- it would end several days before Christmas.

The good news is that if that happens, I'm sure that Disney will run the holiday fireworks, snow and holiday parade during your trip, for the general public. So you wouldn't really miss out on anything, except for possible free snacks that would come with a party ticket. I'm sure you'd get to see and do everything, without having to pay extra for a party.

Please be slow on Dec 16th and 17th. My only time to do DL at Christmas time.

darph nader --

Are those dates on Monday and Tuesday (I'm not looking at a calendar but I'm figuring it out in my head)? Monday might not be too bad. Tuesday will probably be a little busier.