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

[Sherry E]

Thanks for passing on that info! I am so ready to know what will actually come to fruition this year!!! I am a type A planner and am ready to plan.

You're welcome, czmom!

I only wish it were real, actual info about what is going to happen and not just more speculation! Even the CMs on the front lines cannot be sure of what will or will not happen, but the one I spoke to today seemed to have a pretty good feeling/hunch that there would not be a party -- at least not like the rumor that MiceAge circulated around, in the particular format that MiceAge presented. There, of course, could be a different kind of party or a short Limited Time Magic thing.

Seeing that the holiday season is 5 months away, even if a party didn't begin until late November or early December I would think that Disney should start alerting people now, so budgets can be adjusted and people who would really love a party could begin planning a trip. I wonder if DLR just hates releasing official info early, or if they are really still trying to figure out what they're doing for this year's holiday season! Maybe they are waiting for the word on the holiday World of Color testing, to be sure it will be ready to go in November before they publicize anything else about the holiday schedules.

Isn't WDW already putting out its list of Candlelight narrators (or close to putting out the list)? Meanwhile, we won't know who is narrating our 2-night Ceremony until probably October, at least!

 

[Pesky]

Yay, can't wait for the countdown! I'm picking up a slew of GCs at Target end of the week and will hopefully pick up our tickets at the local Disney Store on Saturday. Woohoo! And we already bought our airline tickets so slowly but surely paying it off in advance!

 

[Sherry E]

Yay, can't wait for the countdown! I'm picking up a slew of GCs at Target end of the week and will hopefully pick up our tickets at the local Disney Store on Saturday. Woohoo! And we already bought our airline tickets so slowly but surely paying it off in advance!

Pesky --



So you decided not to get your tickets before the price increase after all? At least the increases weren't as horrifying as they were last year!

It's always a nice feeling to stash away some gift cards, isn't it? At least that way you know that the money can only be used for Disney and is solely for your trip.

The countdown will be fun, indeed (I think)!

 

[tksbaskets]

For those of us firmly in the "Need a little Christmas" category I just read this on the Hallmark Channel FB page:

It's Hallmark Channel USA's “Christmas Keepsake” week coming Monday, July 8 through Monday, July 15!

Over 60-hours of holiday programming to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments plus a special opportunity for you to share your own special Keepsake Ornament memories and WIN a North Pole Countdown Keepsake Ornament & more!

Get the DVRs all set! Sherry I see some serious movie time in our future

 

[Sherry E]

For those of us firmly in the "Need a little Christmas" category I just read this on the Hallmark Channel FB page:

It's Hallmark Channel USA's Christmas Keepsake week coming Monday, July 8 through Monday, July 15!

Over 60-hours of holiday programming to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments plus a special opportunity for you to share your own special Keepsake Ornament memories and WIN a North Pole Countdown Keepsake Ornament & more!

Get the DVRs all set! Sherry I see some serious movie time in our future

TK --

Thank you so much for the heads up about that! You know I will be tuned in! I think that Saturday, July 13th and Sunday, July 14th will probably feature all-day marathons of holiday movies and many of them will be my favorites.

I remember that there was a weekend Christmas marathon of some sort on Hallmark last year in July, but I don't think they tied it in with the Keepsake Ornaments in any way. They may have called it something else. In fact, they showed some of my favorites, like "Farewell, Mr. Kringle" and "The Most Wonderful Time of Year." I wondered if they were going to do the Christmas in July marathon again this year, and it sounds like they are!

Three movies I happened to stumble upon last year -- which were on other obscure channels and not Hallmark, but were very Hallmark-esque -- were "Christmas Town," "Christmas Angel" and "The 12 Wishes of Christmas." I think you would enjoy them -- maybe you can find them on YouTube or some other free online service. Otherwise, perhaps they will rerun on their random channels this year during the holidays.

Those Hallmark Christmas marathons are a good time to get in the mood and spirit for planning holiday DLR trips! They give the extra little holiday kick that is needed to get in the right mindset.

 

[egritz]

Sherry- can you read my post on the main DL page and chime in for my crowd concern? Might need to change our dates to either Dec 7-12 (Sat-Thur) or Dec 9-14 (Mon-Sat) to save over $100 per person on our flights
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=48651540&posted=1#post48651540

 

[Pesky]

Pesky --



So you decided not to get your tickets before the price increase after all? At least the increases weren't as horrifying as they were last year!

Oh, believe me, I tried! I was waiting for the extra 5% off from the Target pharmacy rewards to stack with my red card discount of 5% but DH lost the first one and I didn't get the next one until last week. Given the price hike wasn't terrible, I figured as well that even with the price hike, the near 10% off still put me out ahead. But now I save about $60 instead of $100. Still a decent savings!

 

[Aussie Princess]

Thanks for passing on that info! I am so ready to know what will actually come to fruition this year!!! I am a type A planner and am ready to plan.

Me too I'm a planner am ready to find out what's happening

 

[tksbaskets]

Sherry I'm going to try and find those three movies on line. They sound grand.

Had a big monkey wrench thrown into our December plans today. On another thread I learned that DL isn't extending park hopper passes beyond 5 days any more. Just dandy as we've booked a 7 night-kind of 8-day trip. Now we need to decide (and do the math for the four of us) if we cheat on Mickey and take a day tour to somewhere else (San Diego, Universal , some other destination). We really weren't planning to rent a car on top of our lodging and park tickets.

Annual passes? Sigh.... I love it when a plan comes together. When it becomes troublesome not so much.

Any ideas DIS friends?

 

[wdwmoose]

Hi. My name is DLmoose. It's a long story as to why my screen name on Disboards is on the wrong coast. I was raised in CA and still live within driving distance.

Prior to having Mooselets DH and I visited DLR at least every two years. And I'm thrilled to say we're headed back there Dec 1st -6th this year to introduce the Mooselets (DS6 & DS3) to the right way to do Christmas. We're dragging along the ILs,, too. It's going to be one awesome trip.

Now, can we all get on board with the No Christmas Parties in 2013 wave?

 

[KCmike]

Sherry I'm going to try and find those three movies on line. They sound grand.

Had a big monkey wrench thrown into our December plans today. On another thread I learned that DL isn't extending park hopper passes beyond 5 days any more. Just dandy as we've booked a 7 night-kind of 8-day trip. Now we need to decide (and do the math for the four of us) if we cheat on Mickey and take a day tour to somewhere else (San Diego, Universal , some other destination). We really weren't planning to rent a car on top of our lodging and park tickets.

Annual passes? Sigh.... I love it when a plan comes together. When it becomes troublesome not so much.

Any ideas DIS friends?

I think they instituted that late last year or was it early this year? Many many people were really upset with me included. You would think DL would want the extra hotel and park time for them to spend money in. I understand there is a lot of fraud going on with these park passes but why hurt out of towners? If you have the extra time you really might want to head down to San Diego and visit the Hotel Del Coronado? My family loves it so much! It is a little pricey though. I've always wanted to buy an annual pass but it just never materialized. I think this Christmas visit will probably be the last for a Disney park for a little while. Sad.

Have you ever thought of maybe traveling North up the coast? Monterey is also gorgeous and that drive up the PCH is breathtaking.

Good luck!

Mike

 

[KCmike]

Hi. My name is DLmoose. It's a long story as to why my screen name on Disboards is on the wrong coast. I was raised in CA and still live within driving distance.

Prior to having Mooselets DH and I visited DLR at least every two years. And I'm thrilled to say we're headed back there Dec 1st -6th this year to introduce the Mooselets (DS6 & DS3) to the right way to do Christmas. We're dragging along the ILs,, too. It's going to be one awesome trip.

Now, can we all get on board with the No Christmas Parties in 2013 wave?

Waving from KC! No Christmas parties please.

 

[wdwmoose]

Have you ever thought of maybe traveling North up the coast? Monterey is also gorgeous and that drive up the PCH is breathtaking.

Good luck!

Mike

I actually prefer Carmel By the Bay to Monterey. I used to work in Monterey and the appeal just isn't there.

Along PCH I love the Hearst Castle area. Definitely worth a trip if anyone's in the area.

 

[Phoenixrising]

I second a drive up the PCH hwy to Monterey. We did this on our Do trip in 2009 and really enjoyed it. The Monterey Bay Aquarium is worth the trip alone. Another YAHOO to no party this year.

 

[tksbaskets]

I second a drive up the PCH hwy to Monterey. We did this on our Do trip in 2009 and really enjoyed it. The Monterey Bay Aquarium is worth the trip alone. Another YAHOO to no party this year.

Thanks KC Mike and Phoenix! It looks like there is an Alamo right at DDD where we could rent a car for the day. I'll run this by my troops.

TK

 

[czmom]

Sherry- or anyone else with early December expertise

Not counting our travel days, we will be at DLR for 6 full days (Sunday 12/1- Friday 12/7). We have already bought 5 day PH. Our 6th day will be the Christmas party, if they have it.

If NO party this year, when would be the best day that week for our day off? Mainly looking to keep the lowest crowd days. Also want to keep that Friday because it may be our only chance to see Fantasmic!

We don't have transportation and our kiddos are young, 4 and 7. So our off day will most likely be a Surf's Up breakfast, DTD, naps, and maybe swimming if the weather allows.

Thanks!

 

[wdwmoose]

Sherry- or anyone else with early December expertise

Not counting our travel days, we will be at DLR for 6 full days (Sunday 12/1- Friday 12/7). We have already bought 5 day PH. Our 6th day will be the Christmas party, if they have it.

If NO party this year, when would be the best day that week for our day off? Mainly looking to keep the lowest crowd days. Also want to keep that Friday because it may be our only chance to see Fantasmic!

We don't have transportation and our kiddos are young, 4 and 7. So our off day will most likely be a Surf's Up breakfast, DTD, naps, and maybe swimming if the weather allows.

Thanks!

Without parties or anything like it, I'd suggest actually splitting your week in half (as much as possible). Are you staying onsite and hoping to use EMH? My answer might change because of that.
I'd say Sunday and Friday will be the busiest, but you've expressed the desire (need?) to be there Friday, and I've yet to meet a family that takes the first day off like that. So I'd say the Tuesday/Wednesday timeframe would be good ones for a down day.
Just my two cents.

 

[Cheshirecatty]

Without parties or anything like it, I'd suggest actually splitting your week in half (as much as possible). Are you staying onsite and hoping to use EMH? My answer might change because of that.
I'd say Sunday and Friday will be the busiest, but you've expressed the desire (need?) to be there Friday, and I've yet to meet a family that takes the first day off like that. So I'd say the Tuesday/Wednesday timeframe would be good ones for a down day.
Just my two cents.

I have to agree--those Tuesdays sometimes turn out to be the busiest day of the week(after week-ends)--wierd, I know, and perplexing! If you're looking for a week-day to "take off", you might consider Tuesday(unless you're staying on-site?).

 

[Sherry E]

Hi. My name is DLmoose. It's a long story as to why my screen name on Disboards is on the wrong coast. I was raised in CA and still live within driving distance.

Prior to having Mooselets DH and I visited DLR at least every two years. And I'm thrilled to say we're headed back there Dec 1st -6th this year to introduce the Mooselets (DS6 & DS3) to the right way to do Christmas. We're dragging along the ILs,, too. It's going to be one awesome trip.

Now, can we all get on board with the No Christmas Parties in 2013 wave?

Hello, wdwmoose/DLmoose!

I'm glad you finally decided to jump into the thread! You see? Everyone here is friendly and fun! Wait until we get going with the Theme Week Countdown -- that seems to bring out lurkers and regular participants alike!

I will get on board with the No Christmas Parties in 2013 wave! It's not that I don't think DLR could host a fun Christmas party. They certainly could. It's just that, unless they have secretly been planning big, original, new entertainment for a party all along (and rumors have not leaked out about new entertainment for a party, so it is doubtful), I think they are not quite ready for a multi-night party all through the season just yet. I think they should give it another year -- and by the holiday season of 2014 they could not only have the holiday WoC in place, but also a possible new plan for the Candlelight Ceremony so that more people can see it and Disney can make money from it.

I think that working a short-run party into Limited Time Magic this year would not be a bad idea (one or two nights only), but they may try to do a full multi-night party with the existing holiday entertainment anyway.

Sherry I'm going to try and find those three movies on line. They sound grand.

Had a big monkey wrench thrown into our December plans today. On another thread I learned that DL isn't extending park hopper passes beyond 5 days any more. Just dandy as we've booked a 7 night-kind of 8-day trip. Now we need to decide (and do the math for the four of us) if we cheat on Mickey and take a day tour to somewhere else (San Diego, Universal , some other destination). We really weren't planning to rent a car on top of our lodging and park tickets.

Annual passes? Sigh.... I love it when a plan comes together. When it becomes troublesome not so much.

Any ideas DIS friends?

TK --

I think you'll enjoy those 3 movies I mentioned. I can't even believe I found them on whatever random, obscure channels they were running on. They literally have the same actors in them that you would see in Lifetime or Hallmark holiday movies, but for some reason they did not air on Lifetime or Hallmark. They seem like they somehow got separated from the rest of the holiday movie pack!

You'll be interested to know that the CM I spoke to a couple of days ago said that he and all the other Disney CMs have received an onslaught of calls and letters about the discontinuation of the 6-day Hoppers since it was first announced. Those CMs who answer calls can't do anything about it -- they don't make the decisions -- but he says they get bombarded with complaints.

Sherry- or anyone else with early December expertise

Not counting our travel days, we will be at DLR for 6 full days (Sunday 12/1- Friday 12/7). We have already bought 5 day PH. Our 6th day will be the Christmas party, if they have it.

If NO party this year, when would be the best day that week for our day off? Mainly looking to keep the lowest crowd days. Also want to keep that Friday because it may be our only chance to see Fantasmic!

We don't have transportation and our kiddos are young, 4 and 7. So our off day will most likely be a Surf's Up breakfast, DTD, naps, and maybe swimming if the weather allows.

Thanks!

czmom --

I have to agree with Cheshirecatty and wdwmoose. I would have suggested Tuesday or Wednesday for the break/day off too. Monday -- unless crowd patterns change -- should be a day when you can get a lot done. Tuesday's crowds have been, in my opinion, noticeably different from the lighter Monday crowds (but not horrible). I have no idea why, but I have definitely noticed it.

If your early evening on your day off is free for a bit, you could spend some time in the GCH lobby, enjoying the carolers who take requests, Santa, the guitarist and pianist, and overall festive atmosphere.

 

[Cheshirecatty]

TK --

Thank you so much for the heads up about that! You know I will be tuned in! I think that Saturday, July 13th and Sunday, July 14th will probably feature all-day marathons of holiday movies and many of them will be my favorites.

I remember that there was a weekend Christmas marathon of some sort on Hallmark last year in July, but I don't think they tied it in with the Keepsake Ornaments in any way. They may have called it something else. In fact, they showed some of my favorites, like "Farewell, Mr. Kringle" and "The Most Wonderful Time of Year." I wondered if they were going to do the Christmas in July marathon again this year, and it sounds like they are!

Three movies I happened to stumble upon last year -- which were on other obscure channels and not Hallmark, but were very Hallmark-esque -- were "Christmas Town," "Christmas Angel" and "The 12 Wishes of Christmas." I think you would enjoy them -- maybe you can find them on YouTube or some other free online service. Otherwise, perhaps they will rerun on their random channels this year during the holidays.

Those Hallmark Christmas marathons are a good time to get in the mood and spirit for planning holiday DLR trips! They give the extra little holiday kick that is needed to get in the right mindset.

Hi Sherry, this is really random, but I love your enthusiasm for Christmas movies, and had one to recommend, if you haven't already seen it--"Scrooge" with Albert Finney! It is most likely not anywhere on cable, but I've seen it at Target the last couple of years, around the first of December.

It is FANTASTIC! I've seen it almost every year since it first came out(when I was three)--I know, dating myself! It is so uplifting and thought-provoking with its top-notch portrayals, and so CHRISTMASY, I think you would HUGELY enjoy it(I also mentioned it to Taylor and Tracy in their "Life-Report"!