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

[Luisa]

TK -

Pssst! Christmas in July starts on Hallmark in 2 days! I think there is one movie every night over 7/8-7/11, and then on 7/12 there may be more than one movie that night. On 7/13 and 7/14 there are movies all day and night (including "Trading Christmas," "Most Wonderful Time of Year" and "Mrs. Miracle"). Even the Hallmark Movie Channel (different from the main Hallmark Channel) is doing their own little Christmas marathon! I don't see "Farewell, Mr. Kringle" in the line-ups anywhere, but that one will probably be on when the real Christmas marathons begin in early November!

Just had a look at the tv programming here, looks like in Australia we're a bit behind. Christmas in July starts on the 15th with 'November Christmas', followed by 'All I want for Christmas'. It seems they're playing them all while I'm at work so I'll need to record them for weekend marathons in my pyjamas. At least it's now winter here so I can get that wintry Christmas feeling.

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[Sherry E]

Just had a look at the tv programming here, looks like in Australia we're a bit behind. Christmas in July starts on the 15th with 'November Christmas', followed by 'All I want for Christmas'. It seems they're playing them all while I'm at work so I'll need to record them for weekend marathons in my pyjamas. At least it's now winter here so I can get that wintry Christmas feeling.

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Luisa --

That's right! I forgot that you have your winter now, while we are roasting in the heat over here! So it is actually perfect for you to be watching some Christmas movies right around this time of year. It makes more sense for you to be watching than for me to be watching! You need to get some hot cocoa and bundle up under a blanket while watching predictably sweet Christmas movies!

I'm glad you posted, because it caused me to take another look at my program guide for both the Hallmark Channel and the Hallmark Movie Channel. (Don't ask me why there are two Hallmark channels. I guess it's like Lifetime. There is a Lifetime Channel and a Lifetime Movie Network.)

My programming guide shows one Christmas movie every night on the Hallmark Channel and one every night on the Hallmark Movie Channel, starting on Mon., 7/8. (The movies are different on each channel.) When we get to Friday, 7/12, both channels are showing 2 or 3 Christmas movies (again, different ones). Then, on Sat., 7/13 and Sun., 7/14, there are Christmas movies all day on both of the Hallmark Channels, and they are totally different movies.

When I had originally looked at the Hallmark Channel's movie line-up a few days ago, I saw "The Most Wonderful Time of Year" in the mix (which is one of my favorites). Now that movie has mysteriously moved over to the Hallmark Movie Channel, which is also where "November Christmas" will run. (I've seen "November Christmas" -- I like both John Corbett and Sam Elliott, and I love that the movie has elements of Halloween and Christmas in it!)

It's all very confusing. I will probably just be switching back and forth all week and all next weekend!

Don't even get me started on how confusing it gets when Hallmark and Lifetime and ABC Family kick in with their Christmas marathons/countdowns starting at various points in November! There is a whole lot of channel surfing going on during those times.

And then, when the other channels like TLC and Travel kick in with their "Christmas Lights" specials, and Food Network or Travel Channel run some sort of 'Disney holiday' show, I will be in full TV Christmas frenzy mode!

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

Last year we stayed at the GCH and had a great view of Grizzly River Rapids. I am getting ready to make ressies for this year. I was thinking the woods or courtyard view might be Christmasy. Can anyone recommend this view? Do they light up the trees with twinkle lights?

If it's in the budget, I'd do a DTD view. We've had that all 3 times we've stayed there over the holiday season and the trees are decorated with lights & ornaments. I don't know about the other views.

 

[Luisa]

And then, when the other channels like TLC and Travel kick in with their "Christmas Lights" specials, and Food Network or Travel shows some sort of 'Disney holiday' show, I will be in full TV Christmas frenzy mode!

Oh, I can't wait for all of those to start! I'll be checking the guide before I leave and while I'm traveling in case there's any changes! Thank goodness for remote record and a dad who's a quick draw on the remote when he sees a show I might like!

I've now booked all my shuttles to and from airports so now everything is booked all I have to do is count down the next four and a bit months, which will be helped by everyone's holiday time updates, info and photos!!

 

[tksbaskets]

Just had a look at the tv programming here, looks like in Australia we're a bit behind. Christmas in July starts on the 15th with 'November Christmas', followed by 'All I want for Christmas'. It seems they're playing them all while I'm at work so I'll need to record them for weekend marathons in my pyjamas. At least it's now winter here so I can get that wintry Christmas feeling.

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Sherry and Luisa - I've already got my DVR set

 

[Sherry E]

If it's in the budget, I'd do a DTD view. We've had that all 3 times we've stayed there over the holiday season and the trees are decorated with lights & ornaments. I don't know about the other views.

DisneyJamieCA --

I've had that DTD view at the GCH before. It is a nice view -- although the room was down the infamous endless hallways -- and we could see some fireworks from the room, which was a great plus!

I thought that those Downtown Disney trees (which aren't pine/spruce trees, but just their regular everyday trees) have the colored ball things hanging on them all the time, year-round? It seems like I have seen those colored balls/lights even in non-holiday time frames, but I could be wrong.

In any case, the DTD view is a fun one!

Oh, I can't wait for all of those to start! I'll be checking the guide before I leave and while I'm traveling in case there's any changes! Thank goodness for remote record and a dad who's a quick draw on the remote when he sees a show I might like!

I've now booked all my shuttles to and from airports so now everything is booked all I have to do is count down the next four and a bit months, which will be helped by everyone's holiday time updates, info and photos!!

Luisa --

The Third Annual Theme Week Countdown is coming very, very soon -- if that doesn't help the time fly by and build anticipation for your trip, I don't know what will.

And stay tuned, because I will soon be posting an announcement about the Countdown's "twist" this year -- or, rather, not so much a twist but more of an added, extra little element to it that will up the ante and make it more fun!

Every year it seems that TLC and/or Travel -- and now even HGTV -- air some sort of brand new Christmas decorations/lights special, in addition to re-running all of the older ones. (One of my favorites is "The Most Christmasy Places in America.") My DVR is probably more than 50% full with various Halloween and Christmas lights/decorations/events shows that I've caught on Food Network, HGTV, the DIY Network, Travel, TLC and probably other places I am forgetting.

I actually wonder how long Food Network will continue to run the Guy Fieri "Guy's Disney Holiday" special about Disneyland on Food Network. I thought it would have been gone last year, as it needs to be updated. It was actually shot during the holiday season of 2008 -- five years ago -- but it first began airing on Food Network in 2009, when it replaced the Raven Symone-hosted WDW/holiday/food special that was part of the Christmas TV rotation. "Guy's Disney Holiday" has aired every year since 2009.

Sherry and Luisa - I've already got my DVR set

TK -

But for which channel? Hallmark Channel or Hallmark Movie Channel? They both have Christmas in July movies all this week, with the heaviest concentration over the weekend when the movies run all day.

 

[mom2rtk]

Much better off doing the tour!!! You'll be right across from It's a Small World and it's only two rows of padded folding chairs. In my experience it is no trouble getting one of the front row seats to take pictures! An added bonus is that they don't allow seating on the other side of the parade so you pictures are just of the parade and NO WAITING!

If you have a few minutes I have pictures of both tours in the trip reports from my signature and you can see for yourself the primo seats. Sherry may have also linked to the part in the reports that feature the Tour.

Later tour with night viewing. We are standing facing our seats so you can tell where they are:

Primo day seating!

The characters come so close. It's great.

Thank you so much for answering and for posting the photos. That helps a lot!

Is the reserved seating only during the daytime parade? It seems to me that might be a nice night time spot to photograph the parade with the IASMH lights behind the parade.

 

[mom2rtk]

TK -

Yep. I took the links from what you posted in the previous Superthread, with your tour photos and review, and copied them in the Holiday Tour section on Page 1 of this thread, along with other tour info. In fact, I actually referred Janet/mom2rtk to those links just the other day!

Just wanted to say thanks so much for that Sherry! Things got busy here last week so I haven't gotten to read through the linked reports you so kindly gave me, but I'm going to this week. I think that's going to help a lot. It will also help get me over my "I'm planning a Disney trip but not going to WDW so don't have any planning to do yet" blues.

 

[lwanthony]

We have had the reserved seating for the parade at night, and it is spectacular!

 

[mom2rtk]

We have had the reserved seating for the parade at night, and it is spectacular!

I bet it is. Not that it matters. Assuming there is no Christmas party affecting the parade times, I already told my daughter I need to see it at least once in daylight and once at night. I bet I'll love it more at night, but at WDW they don't show the Christmas parade during the day until after the last party has been held, which has always been too late in the season for us to be there. So it will be a nice treat to see it during the daylight as well.

 

[Kauinohea]

Our flight arrives at 645 in the morning...looks like the shuttle service starts at 730 (DL express). Has anyone had experience taking rah first shuttle of the morning? Is it really there at 730... Or will we be waiting for a while?

 

[larina]

We have had the reserved seating for the parade at night, and it is spectacular!

It really is. Everyone should experience it at least once.

I bet it is. Not that it matters. Assuming there is no Christmas party affecting the parade times, I already told my daughter I need to see it at least once in daylight and once at night. I bet I'll love it more at night, but at WDW they don't show the Christmas parade during the day until after the last party has been held, which has always been too late in the season for us to be there. So it will be a nice treat to see it during the daylight as well.

I have seen it at night, and it is INCREDIBLE, but I plan to catch it during the day this time too. Mostly for the bright colors and to see the characters better.

 

[mom2rtk]

It really is. Everyone should experience it at least once.


I have seen it at night, and it is INCREDIBLE, but I plan to catch it during the day this time too. Mostly for the bright colors and to see the characters better.

Do you recommend seeing it back by IASWH or out on Main Street with the castle in the background? Oh, the quandaries we must face in life sometimes! I've done OK photographing the WDW version at night, but do look forward to the much easier photographic conditions that daylight provides.

 

[larina]

Do you recommend seeing it back by IASWH or out on Main Street with the castle in the background? Oh, the quandaries we must face in life sometimes! I've done OK photographing the WDW version at night, but do look forward to the much easier photographic conditions that daylight provides.

We had preferred seating by IASW and it was quite magical. It wa awesome to watch IASW light up at dusk. This year we are going to do the holiday tour, since AAA doesn't do preferred seating for the parade any more, and hope to secure the same spot that we did last year.

 

[Sherry E]

Just wanted to say thanks so much for that Sherry! Things got busy here last week so I haven't gotten to read through the linked reports you so kindly gave me, but I'm going to this week. I think that's going to help a lot. It will also help get me over my "I'm planning a Disney trip but not going to WDW so don't have any planning to do yet" blues.

You're welcome, Janet!

I am secretly hoping that when I start our 3rd Annual Theme Week Countdown (coming very soon, like by the beginning of August, at the latest -- it is still being mapped out) and you see the photos a-rollin' in for all of the different themes, that will help you shake your "no planning to do" blues too!

Right now, it's the calm before the storm. The Theme Weeks usually stir things up and get people to come out of hiding and share photos.

Plus, this year it is going to be beneficial for people to pay attention to the Theme Week Countdown, when it begins -- and that includes people who have photos to share, and people who do not have photos to share!

But, more to be revealed about that soon.... Muahahahahahahahaha!!!!

 

[mom2rtk]

You're welcome, Janet!

I am secretly hoping that when I start our 3rd Annual Theme Week Countdown (coming very soon, like by the beginning of August, at the latest -- it is still being mapped out) and you see the photos a-rollin' in for all of the different themes, that will help you shake your "no planning to do" blues too!

Right now, it's the calm before the storm. The Theme Weeks usually stir things up and get people to come out of hiding and share photos.

Plus, this year it is going to be beneficial for people to pay attention to the Theme Week Countdown, when it begins -- and that includes people who have photos to share, and people who do not have photos to share!

But, more to be revealed about that soon.... Muahahahahahahahaha!!!!

Well, there you go, making me smile and starting to get the excitement going!

I do think it's going to sneak up on me in a big way. Early August is when our son is leaving for college, so all of our planning is focused on him right now. I'm going to need a good distraction when we get back from the drop-off!

The photos will be great, as I want to make a list of different shots I don't want to forget when I'm there.

 

[laurasvwee]

Does anyone know off hand how much the holiday tour is? I am sure that I read it in this thread some where but not sure that I could find it. I am considering it even though My DH didn't what us to have set plans for this trip( Nov. 17-21). He is hoping for low crowds and take our time doing everything. I want to do f! If no party and the party if there is one and woc if its holiday themed

 

[Sherry E]

Well, there you go, making me smile and starting to get the excitement going!

I do think it's going to sneak up on me in a big way. Early August is when our son is leaving for college, so all of our planning is focused on him right now. I'm going to need a good distraction when we get back from the drop-off!

The photos will be great, as I want to make a list of different shots I don't want to forget when I'm there.

Janet --

Yes, you will need to focus on something festive after sending your son off to school!

I think the Countdown will also help to pass the time and fill the gaps in between waves of news we may get from various sources! And it will be a good source of photo ideas for you.

It would probably help to keep everyone in the spirit if we were actually hearing more in the way of news now -- any news. Even just an official Holiday World of Color announcement would be something to chew on. But DLR is notorious for taking their sweet time.

Does anyone know off hand how much the holiday tour is? I am sure that I read it in this thread some where but not sure that I could find it. I am considering it even though My DH didn't what us to have set plans for this trip( Nov. 17-21). He is hoping for low crowds and take our time doing everything. I want to do f! If no party and the party if there is one and woc if its holiday themed

laurasvwee --

Hello again!

When in doubt, if you ever forget where something is, you can always go back to Page 1 of this thread and scroll down the posts. There is a Holiday Tour category in Post #4 on the first page. But we have plenty of people here who are more than willing to help, so hopefully we can always get you an answer of some kind.

This is a link to a Blog about the tour (from the Disney Parks Blog), from last year - http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/bl...d-tours-holiday-time-at-disneyland-park-tour/.

Laurie (I wonder if that is Laurie/DizNee Luver, who is from this board?) posts in the Comments under the Blog that the price is $68. However, I know that there is some sort of AP discount, and I think that Disney Visa Card holders and Disney Vacation Club owners can get a discount on the tour (not sure how much less it was with the discount last year, though?).

 

[tksbaskets]

Thank you so much for answering and for posting the photos. That helps a lot!

Is the reserved seating only during the daytime parade? It seems to me that might be a nice night time spot to photograph the parade with the IASMH lights behind the parade.

Our experience was the earlier tour (started around 13:30)had seating for the day parade and the later tour (started around 3:30) had seating for the night parade.

Does anyone know off hand how much the holiday tour is? I am sure that I read it in this thread some where but not sure that I could find it. I am considering it even though My DH didn't what us to have set plans for this trip( Nov. 17-21). He is hoping for low crowds and take our time doing everything. I want to do f! If no party and the party if there is one and woc if its holiday themed

Like Sherry posted I believe it was right around $65. We did get a Disney Visa/Vacation Club discount or 10% or so.

Someone asked if the tour is OK for kids....we had little ones on our first tour. The only issue was the headphones were a bit big for them. I've heard bringing a headband or your own ear buds/headphones solved that issue.

 

[larina]

Does anyone know off hand how much the holiday tour is? I am sure that I read it in this thread some where but not sure that I could find it....

When I checked a few months back, they said the price was not yet set and to check back in August or September. I figure I'll probably hear it here first.