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

[funatdisney]

On which dates is the Expo happening in August?

The D23 Expo is Thursday, August 9 to Sunday Aug 11. And yes I am going.

Could it be I have too many Disney events this year? I say "Not enough!" Really one could not get enough of Disney in my book.

 

[Sherry E]

The D23 Expo is Thursday, August 9 to Sunday Aug 11. And yes I am going.

Could it be I have too many Disney events this year? I say "Not enough!" Really one could not get enough of Disney in my book.

Thanks for confirming the dates, Liza! I remember seeing that you were going in that thread that ImTooExcitedToSleep started (about a possible meet), but I neglected to ask what the dates were.

I thought I vaguely recalled that 8/11 was involved in the Expo a while back (when I was trying to sign up for the free D23 Membership offered by the Disney Store), and I think I ruled out trying to go as soon as I saw Sun., 8/11. Not that 8/11 has anything to do with 8/9 or 8/10, but 8/11 is a huge TV day for me. Three big shows that I watch will all be on that night, starting at 6 p.m. -- one of which I have been waiting for just under a year -- and I must get in the zone and watch some older episodes to prepare!

You must have read my mind! I was thinking to myself, "Gee, Liza has a lot of Disney trips planned this year!" It's a lot to keep up with! At least it's a good kind of busy and not a bad kind of busy!


ETA: "Elf" is on Starz right now -- one of the best Christmas movies around! Sooooo funny!

 

[Autty40]

I have a question... I've read on a few posts here and a couple other sites saying that the special yearly merchandise has run out during the holidays. Since we are going the first week of the holiday season what are the chances of us having problems getting 2013 merchandise? If there is any question about the availability I want to order some items online and not have to stress over it.... TIA!

 

[funatdisney]

I have a question... I've read on a few posts here and a couple other sites saying that the special yearly merchandise has run out during the holidays. Since we are going the first week of the holiday season what are the chances of us having problems getting 2013 merchandise? If there is any question about the availability I want to order some items online and not have to stress over it.... TIA!

IMHO, I would order on online. I seem to remember some "2012" items sold out by the first week of December if not by Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is late his year (the 28th) So I wouldn't be surprised if some 2013 items will sell out by then.

I do know every now and then DisneyStore.com has a 25% discount for the Park merchandise that is sold on their site. They do have discounts specials of some kind or another all the time. Still early in the year to wait for the next sale.

 

[larina]

Yes, I would buy ahead of time. I got our 2013 merchandise when I was there last month.

 

[Lucrezia]

Hi, Sherry! Your Halloween Superthread has been really helpful with my planning, soooo now I'm hopping over here... It looks like my fiancé and I may be going to DL again after our Halloween trip, in early December, but it would have to be really short. I was wondering if three days sounds like enough to fully experience the holiday season and see everything there is it see, etc.? It'll be our first trip during the Christmas season so I really want to make it count TIA

 

[funatdisney]

Thanks for confirming the dates, Liza! I remember seeing that you were going in that thread that ImTooExcitedToSleep started (about a possible meet), but I neglected to ask what the dates were.

You must have read my mind! I was thinking to myself, "Gee, Liza has a lot of Disney trips planned this year!" It's a lot to keep up with! At least it's a good kind of busy and not a bad kind of busy!


ETA: "Elf" is on Starz right now -- one of the best Christmas movies around! Sooooo funny!

You're welcome.

I know the Disney trips keep piling up! Really that is very unusual for me. We are making a special trip to WDW and taking a Disney cruise for our 20th Wedding Anniversary. The last time we were in WDW was back in 2008. So we don't go there often. And the D23 Expo is every other year. It all just is happening in one year (and at the end of it, too!)

We used to take an October trip to DLR every year, but since DD(15) plays on her high school volleyball team and a club team, volleyball is nearly a year round sport for us. We can't go to DLR for an October trip for a few years. I am trying to make December an annual trip in place of the October trips. The plan is to take an annual DLR October and December trip once both kids are off to college. I think that will work out just fine.

Oh I love ELF!

 

[Sherry E]

I have a question... I've read on a few posts here and a couple other sites saying that the special yearly merchandise has run out during the holidays. Since we are going the first week of the holiday season what are the chances of us having problems getting 2013 merchandise? If there is any question about the availability I want to order some items online and not have to stress over it.... TIA!

Autty40 --

I think I agree with Liza/funatdisney and larina. It may be better to order something to be on the safe side. While I have not tried to buy year-specific items in a while, I remember at least a few people mentioning last year that they could not find the 2012 ornaments that they wanted because they were all gone.

If you're going during that week of 11/12, chances are you will probably find something still available, but it is so risky to plan on that. Disney is very sneaky with how they release their merchandise in that they often release certain items way in advance (like ornaments) so that they do sell out very early in the season, while other items they don't get in stock until the season has progressed into December.

Take, for example, the delightful Mickey Nutcrackers from last year (a wonderful collection with maybe 6 or 7 pieces). Those were not there on the day I went in November (which was opening day of the season last year), but they were suddenly there in early December when I went back. Somehow they had come in over the few weeks between my visits. And then, the Santa Mickey Nutcracker in the bunch was selling out of some of the shops at warp speed! It sold out of the China Closet on Main Street and the gift shop in the GCH. People wanted that Santa Mickey! Liza and Laurie/DizNee Luver each managed to snag one of them in the Showcase shop on Main Street before Santa Mickey disappeared forever!

Hi, Sherry! Your Halloween Superthread has been really helpful with my planning, soooo now I'm hopping over here... It looks like my fiancé and I may be going to DL again after our Halloween trip, in early December, but it would have to be really short. I was wondering if three days sounds like enough to fully experience the holiday season and see everything there is it see, etc.? It'll be our first trip during the Christmas season so I really want to make it count TIA

Well, hello, Lucrezia! Welcome!

I'm so glad you decided to come over here and join this thread too! We do have a lot of crossover people between the Halloween and Christmas threads. It seems like everyone at some point does a trip during both seasons!

You're going to have a busy Halloween season (3 parties!!!!!), but I'm glad you're thinking about a holiday visit too!

I think that if 3 days is what you have to work with for the holidays, you can make it work well. I think you can get a lot done in that time, if not everything you'd want to do. It should be a busy 3 days.

A lot is riding on whether or not there will be a Christmas party. So far, we have no actual proof that a party is coming. Only rumors of discussions and plans, but no actual announcement. If a party happens, it will have a huge impact on the entertainment that is usually available for the season (the Christmas parade and holiday fireworks, for example), which could be good or bad for your plans.

If there is no party this year, you should be able to have enough time to see the parade, fireworks, snow on Main Street, IASW Holiday -- both in the day and at night -- the Winter Castle at night, holiday World of Color (if that is happening), etc. If you decide to do a holiday tour, you'd have time for that too. If not, you'd have more than enough to keep busy, between the Jingle Jangle Jamboree, the various themed decorations in many lands, etc.

You'd even be there when the 3 hotels are in full holiday swing, so you could go and get cozy on one of the sofas in the GCH lobby and listen to the Carolers, pianist or guitarist entertain guests with holiday music. Santa also appears at all 3 hotels and in both parks.

You'll have a great time and I think 3 days will be fine. If you had the option to go for 4, I would say to go with 4. But 3 days will work too.

You're welcome.

I know the Disney trips keep piling up! Really that is very unusual for me. We are making a special trip to WDW and taking a Disney cruise for our 20th Wedding Anniversary. The last time we were in WDW was back in 2008. So we don't go there often. And the D23 Expo is every other year. It all just is happening in one year (and at the end of it, too!)

We used to take an October trip to DLR every year, but since DD(15) plays on her high school volleyball team and a club team, volleyball is nearly a year round sport for us. We can't go to DLR for an October trip for a few years. I am trying to make December an annual trip in place of the October trips. The plan is to take an annual DLR October and December trip once both kids are off to college. I think that will work out just fine.

Oh I love ELF!

Liza --

"Elf" is such a great movie. It has been playing on cable so much this whole year that I'm not even sure if it will still be on when Christmas actually rolls around. But I can't avoid watching it. It makes me laugh every time.

One of my favorite lines from "Elf" (Buddy to fake Santa): "You sit on a throne of lies!"

And then (Buddy to his dad, with exuberant glee): "What's a Christmas Gram? I want one!"

You definitely have a busy DLR agenda up ahead! Hopefully, even though October is not in the cards for you this year, you'll be able to get a bit of a glimpse of the Halloween Time season...at some point!

 

[Autty40]

IMHO, I would order on online. I seem to remember some "2012" items sold out by the first week of December if not by Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is late his year (the 28th) So I wouldn't be surprised if some 2013 items will sell out by then.

I do know every now and then DisneyStore.com has a 25% discount for the Park merchandise that is sold on their site. They do have discounts specials of some kind or another all the time. Stil early in the year to wait for the next sale.

Thank you and sherry and lurinia! That's what I was thinking was the best option also. The last thing I want is not have any 2013 souvenirs. Hopefully disney store online will have at least one more sale before we go!

 

[tamiandryan]

I have a question for you guys (hoping Sherry E can chime in on this):

I have made hotel reservations for 11/10 - 11/15 at the HOJO's. I know this year Veterans Day will be on the 11th and the Holiday Season officially kicks off on the 12th.

Am I looking at a horribly crowded time to come? If so, what kind of plan should we have for visiting the parks? I am also torn on 3 or 4 day passes? It will be myself, DW, DS4, & DS2. Lastly, if we were to add a day on to the stay, would we be better off adding the 9th or staying until the 16th?

This would be our very first Holiday Season at DLR and DS4 will finally be big enough to break the 40" (hopefully 42") mark to ride some of the bigger rides.

Thank you all in advance! Cheers

 

[Sherry E]

Thank you and sherry and lurinia! That's what I was thinking was the best option also. The last thing I want is not have any 2013 souvenirs. Hopefully disney store online will have at least one more sale before we go!

Autty40 --

The Disney Store Online does have some really good sales from time to time!

In any case, yes, ordering online is the more dependable option, but I would leave a little extra in your budget just in case you see some unique 2013 souvenirs in the parks during your trip. You are going early enough in the season that there may still be some 2013 items on the shelves.

I have a question for you guys (hoping Sherry E can chime in on this):

I have made hotel reservations for 11/10 - 11/15 at the HOJO's. I know this year Veterans Day will be on the 11th and the Holiday Season officially kicks off on the 12th.

Am I looking at a horribly crowded time to come? If so, what kind of plan should we have for visiting the parks? I am also torn on 3 or 4 day passes? It will be myself, DW, DS4, & DS2. Lastly, if we were to add a day on to the stay, would we be better off adding the 9th or staying until the 16th?

This would be our very first Holiday Season at DLR and DS4 will finally be big enough to break the 40" (hopefully 42") mark to ride some of the bigger rides.

Thank you all in advance! Cheers

tamiandryan --

Hello and welcome! I'm glad you joined us.

Some thoughts...

I think that 3 days are okay if that is what you have to work with. As I was mentioning to Lucrezia on the previous page, you can get a lot done in 3 days and make it work. I think that 4 days would be better if you could manage 4 without too much difficulty, but 3 days will work if need be.

If you were to add a day to either end of your trip, my inclination is to suggest adding 11/16 instead of 11/9 -- but I'm really kind of torn. They are both Saturdays, and Saturdays in the parks are busy pretty much year-round (especially during the holiday season). But because 11/9 is right in the middle of the Veterans Day weekend the crowds could possibly be a little bigger. By 11/16 it will be just a regular weekend during the holiday season but not a "holiday weekend," if that makes sense.

Still, though, because the holiday season will have not officially begun pre-11/12 (pending any further announcements from Disney to contradict that date), it is possible that slightly fewer people will be in the parks over the weekend leading up to it. (By the way, you will notice that most of the holiday stuff is up and possibly running pre-11/12, such as It's a Small World Holiday and maybe even the holiday fireworks.)

I don't know if this helps, but I will mention that I was in the parks on Monday, 11/12 last year and in the parks on the Saturday of Veterans Day weekend back in 2010. I found the 2010 Saturday to be very crowded -- much more so than I expected at that point. In 2012, Monday, 11/12 was quite busy in the daytime -- more so than I expected for a Monday, for sure, probably because it was the start of the holiday season -- but not outrageously so. It was tolerable, especially as the day wore on and people began to go home. By nighttime on Monday it was really quite pleasant, crowd-wise. Of course, the crowd dynamics can shift and change from year to year, but those were my most recent November experiences.

I suspect that after 11/12 passes there will be a couple of days of pretty manageable, reasonable crowds, and then the regular weekend crowds will kick in again.

As for what kind of plan you should have, hopefully some of our other thread followers may have some good suggestions (Bret/mvf-m11c always has some good plans of action for tackling the parks in November) but I think that using Fast Passes where available is always good. What your interests are will help form the plan and fill in the gaps.

For example, do you want to do the holiday tour (which would start on the first day of the season)? The tour gets you seats for the Christmas parade and priority boarding for Haunted Mansion Holiday and It's a Small World Holiday, as well as a pin, some treats, etc. Do you want to try to catch the holiday fireworks and snow on Main Street? Do you want to meet characters in holiday costumes, or decorate holiday cookies? Do you want to meet Santa? Do you want to see World of Color (which we think is probably going to be holiday-themed this year)? Do you want to try to see Fantasmic? If there is an ice skating rink on Downtown Disney again this year (and we don't know whether there will be), do you want to take the kids ice skating?

 

[perlster]

more fodder for the "Why does Disneyland wait so long to ..." discussions:

Candlelight Processional packages may now be booked - at Epcot

 

[Sherry E]

more fodder for the "Why does Disneyland wait so long to ..." discussions:

Candlelight Processional packages may now be booked - at Epcot

perlster --

Yes, very true indeed. What's funny is that in the first sentence of that blog, the writer is kind of qualifying or defending posting about WDW Candlelight/holiday info now, since we just got done with 4th of July, as though he assumes that the potential WDW visitors don't need the info now but he has to release it.

I've noticed the same sort of qualifying/defending/justifying commentary from Erin at the Parks Blog at certain points in the past when she has posted Halloween Time info about DLR. She will say something like "Even though it's only summer, Halloween Time will be here before you know it..." or similar remarks.

I get the feeling that the general belief among the Parks Blog folks (and maybe just all Disney folks in general) is that people don't want to have the seasonal details and info now, early on. And yet, the reality couldn't be more different! People do want to know -- especially for holiday/Christmas trips, which are so popular. The holiday season has many more elements and layers to it than the Halloween Time season has, so it would make sense for DLR to begin cranking out any and all bits of holiday season info now, while it is still early enough for out-of-state and international visitors to plan trips -- especially since they must know something by now.

DLR must know what is happening with any and all holiday season events by this point, because certain things would have to be ordered way in advance and coordinated. They know. They have to know. They just don't want to release info because it's only July!

 

[mvf-m11c]

Bret --

On which dates is the Expo happening in August? I keep forgetting the dates. I need to establish if you will be missing anything important in the Theme Week Countdown while you're gone. I may have to do some reorganizing of categories if you're going to be gone. We have to have your participation for at least some of the categories! It wouldn't be a complete Countdown without your pictures!

I do hope that both the holiday fireworks and parade are available for the whole season this year, and not held hostage to some paid party. I know how much you love them -- especially the fireworks!

I was just peeking around on MousePlanet a while ago -- I wanted to see what they printed about the MHP, and if it was any different than what was already released on the AP site today. Right underneath the info about the MHP, there was a small article/blog about the Candlelight Ceremony and a possible party. MP has heard a different things about the Ceremony and why it was cut back to 2 nights again (money, management, etc.)...but they have also heard that it is possible that it won't be only 2 nights, and that it might be 2 nights in Town Square and more nights over in DCA.

MP also basically mentioned that a hard ticket party would have to include enough entertainment in it to get people to by tickets, but to not take away things that yearly holiday visitors plan for.

Exactly my thinking too, MousePlanet!! At least someone is on the same page with me!

MP mentioned Halloween Screams being part of "regular" Halloween Time entertainment when it was made a Halloween party exclusive, but that is not entirely true. It was only available for one year (2009) to the general public, and that was to build up interest in it. As of 2010, HS was a party exclusive.

How many years have Believe in Holiday Magic and Christmas Fantasy Parade been available to holiday visitors at this point? Much longer than one year!

Liza answered the questions that the Expo will be on August 9th to August 11th. I will be ready for the Theme Week Countdown if I am in SoCal in August.

Just as you said Sherry that I am hoping that Believe...In Holiday Magic fireworks and A Christmas Fantasy parade are part of the traditional holiday shows at DL. It will be very disappointing to see those two shows part of the party.

I saw on MousePlanet about the Candelight Processional going back to 2 nights at Main Street Town Square like it usually is where last year they did multiple CP. It was nice that there were multiple CP last year. I do read a lot of rumors on MP and Micechat every Monday and some of them are very interesting and some are not good news to hear.

If TDA does a party during the Holiday season, than they need to do something very big in and different for the guests in order to buy a separate ticket. If they add Believe fireworks and Fantasy parade in the party than it doesn't make any sense for me or the people who have been to DL during the Holiday season to attend the party since those two shows are part of the Holiday tradition at DL. They need to add more entertainment to the party in order for the guests to buy a ticket. I won't be one of those people to buy tickets for the party if they add Believe fireworks and ACF parade. Just got to wait and see what happens.

Your exactly right Sherry that Halloween Screams fireworks was available to the general public in 2009 which was the year that it debut. I remember that HS was so popular that DL was so busy just to see the fireworks every night. It was a good thing that I didn't go in 2009 where it would be difficult to get a spot to watch the fireworks. It was nice to see it when I attended MHP in 2010.

Believe...In Holiday Magic fireworks debut in 2000 and A Christmas Fantasy parade debut in 1994. These two shows have been at DL for a long time and it would be a shame if they include these two classic Christmas nighttime shows as part of a party event.

I have a question for you guys (hoping Sherry E can chime in on this):

I have made hotel reservations for 11/10 - 11/15 at the HOJO's. I know this year Veterans Day will be on the 11th and the Holiday Season officially kicks off on the 12th.

Am I looking at a horribly crowded time to come? If so, what kind of plan should we have for visiting the parks? I am also torn on 3 or 4 day passes? It will be myself, DW, DS4, & DS2. Lastly, if we were to add a day on to the stay, would we be better off adding the 9th or staying until the 16th?

This would be our very first Holiday Season at DLR and DS4 will finally be big enough to break the 40" (hopefully 42") mark to ride some of the bigger rides.

Thank you all in advance! Cheers

During your visit, the weekends and Monday on Veteran's will be busy but not like summer or Christmas break crowds. During the weekdays on Tuesday through Thursday the park hours are just 10am to 8pm which gives you only 10 hours in the parks. The weekdays (except Monday) will be less crowded and you should be able to enjoy the Holiday season. If DL doesn't do a party where the fireworks and parade are part of a separate event than those two shows will be running during the weekdays.

 

[funatdisney]

I am getting ready for the Theme Week Countdown Sherry E has been hinting about. I went on Photobucket to see what Christmas pictures I have and to add more from last year. Boy has that site changed. It might take me a while to get used to it

 

[Sherry E]

...Believe...In Holiday Magic fireworks debut in 2000 and A Christmas Fantasy parade debut in 1994. These two shows have been at DL for a long time and it would be a shame if they include these two classic Christmas nighttime shows as part of a party event.

Bret --

I think the Theme Week Countdown will work out okay, because I will announce the theme for the week of the Expo at the start of that week -- so you and Liza will have already posted your photos before you leave for the Expo. And when you get back there will be a new theme soon after. So you won't miss out on anything and we won't miss out on your photos!

Okay, you just stunned me. I knew that the holiday fireworks and Christmas parade had been around for a long time, but wow! I had no clue that the parade started in 1994!! Then again, I remember the reindeer marching down the street back in 1994 -- so I guess I saw that parade and didn't even recall that it was the same one! And the fireworks have been there for over a decade! I must have seen those too, and didn't realize what I was seeing (I was there in December 2000 and November 2001).

Now that you have told me that and I realize exactly how old those 2 events are, there is no way they can be made a part of a paid Christmas party without tons of backlash and opposition!! How in the world could Disneyland even possibly attempt to stick an event that is almost 20 years old and an event that is over a decade old into a party as the reasons to buy tickets? Uh, yeah...that would work for brand new visitors who have never experienced the holidays at DLR, but it would not work for the thousands upon thousands of holiday visitors who have been coming to the parks for years!

Disney would have to put something brand new and big into a party in DL, or have the party in DCA. Either that, or be prepared for people to flood their mail and email with complaints! Otherwise, Disney really will come across as very greedy and stingy!

I think Disney would be better off holding the Candlelight Ceremony for more nights than 2 this year as well. I see where 20 nights was probably too many, but 2 nights are not enough. That's one extreme to another! I will be really surprised if they don't have a back-up plan for the CP beyond the 12/7 and 12/8 Town Square dates.

I am getting ready for the Theme Week Countdown Sherry E has been hinting about. I went on Photobucket to see what Christmas pictures I have and to add more from last year. Boy has that site changed. It might take me a while to get used to it

Liza --

The key to the Countdown is the element of surprise. As Bret knows (he has participated in the last 2 Countdowns, which were very popular) I do not tell you guys in advance which themes I am picking, and in which weeks they will be featured/unveiled -- but they are all some sort of Disneyland Resort-holiday theme (including the hotels and everything).

I announce the themes on the same day every week for about 12 weeks, from August to November. I post an intro/background for the theme and some of my own photos to set it up for everyone, and then everyone else posts. The real fun comes when everyone reveals the photos that he/she has for the theme! It's all a surprise because, presumably, there are a lot of people out there who have not experienced the holiday season yet and don't know what to expect. They have not seen our photos. So it's a cornucopia of awesomeness when everyone's photos start a-rollin' in and it makes quite an impact on the people following along!

Some themes seem to yield a bounty of photos. Some themes seem to come up empty. It's always interesting to see what everyone has in the way of photos.

Then, in the final week of the Countdown -- which usually is right before the holiday season begins in November -- I do a mini-theme each day. All tolled, there were about 18 themes in the past...but there may be a couple more this year! And there will be a small twist to the Countdown this year, which will hopefully add extra fun to it for both people with photos and people without.


Don't get me started on Photobucket. I have lamented on it in this thread, in my TR thread and in the Photobucket Support threads. You probably didn't see their site when they were first forcing everyone over to the new version earlier this year. It was a mess. Features were missing. Nothing was working. All of the photos in everyone's albums were out of order and no one could find anything.

Photobucket kept a couple of threads in their Support forums open for a while, and there were a whole bunch of us (paying and non-paying) customers who were angry and complaining that all of the features we needed and used were taken away. Photobucket's stance was basically, "Oh, we really didn't know that you guys used all of these things..."

We raised holy...er...hades....and kept at the Photobucket people until they finally started changing things and reinstating some of the lost features. Finally, I can sort my albums in the order I need again. Several months ago it was like looking for a needle in a haystack to find one single photo. And you should have seen the problems I had when trying to resize some photos to post on Page 1 of this thread. It took hours to resize just a few photos at a time because the editor in Photobucket didn't work. It still doesn't work well. It doesn't like vertical/portrait shots.

However, Photobucket wants to make more money off of people so they now insist on storing everyone's photos at their "original" (larger) sizes, even if we upload the photos at, say, 640 x 480 or 800 x 600 or whatever. (I don't like to post anything larger than those sizes on the DIS because the large photos slow down the threads and make the pages harder to load.)

They tell us that the photos will "display" at the upload sizes, but that the "original" sizes will be stored in our accounts, even if we don't want it that way. They are doing that so that we will quickly use up more storage space and bandwidth and have to pay more money when we load a whole bunch of photos!

Seeing that I can come away from my assorted day or multi-day trips with anywhere from 700 - 1600 photos, needless to say I am not looking forward to having them all stored in their "original" sizes in my account, while my storage limit exceeds (even though I am a paying customer) and I end up having to pay more. I am now thinking that I may have to pick and choose what I upload to my account, which will be a huge pain!

 

[merrysmom]

I've been lurking here for a long time, but it's time to get serious about our planning now! I'm taking my family (DH, myself, DD13, DD11, DS9, DD5, and DD2) the week of December 2-9th. We're doing five days in the park (although I'd bargain for more days if they'd start adding a 6th day again...) We go to Disneyland every other year generally, although it's been three years since our last trip now, and I'm anxious to get there already.

This will be our VERY first Christmas visit. We are all about the lower crowds in February, generally, but hopefully that first week of December won't be so bad my DH will get grumpy. (He's not a crowd-loving type of person!)

I'm excited to learn more and start the serious planning!

 

[Sherry E]

I've been lurking here for a long time, but it's time to get serious about our planning now! I'm taking my family (DH, myself, DD13, DD11, DS9, DD5, and DD2) the week of December 2-9th. We're doing five days in the park (although I'd bargain for more days if they'd start adding a 6th day again...) We go to Disneyland every other year generally, although it's been three years since our last trip now, and I'm anxious to get there already.

This will be our VERY first Christmas visit. We are all about the lower crowds in February, generally, but hopefully that first week of December won't be so bad my DH will get grumpy. (He's not a crowd-loving type of person!)

I'm excited to learn more and start the serious planning!

Hello, Melissa, and welcome!

I remember you -- I think I recall your posts in a couple of other threads earlier this year (at least one of which was a holiday Trip Report that you were following, and then I think the other was a thread on the main planning forum). I recall you saying that you were planning a holiday trip. I told you that you should come join us in the Superthread so I am very glad you did!

That December 2-9 week will likely have some days that are not all that horrible, crowd-wise, and then some other days that are more crowded. If you know in advance that certain days might be more crowded then you can plan accordingly to work around them.

I am suspecting that December 7th and December 8th (Saturday and Sunday) may have heavier crowds, especially in the late afternoon and evening, because the Candlelight Ceremony is apparently taking place on those two nights. Since it looks (for now) as if the Ceremony is only going to take place on 2 nights (unlike last year's 20-night marathon), that could mean crowds will build around Main Street and Town Square in the latter half of the day on both weekend days.

But, if you know to expect that things could go that way then you can divert the family over to California Adventure -- where it might not be as crowded -- or you can visit the Grand Californian Hotel lobby to meet Santa and settle in to enjoy the carolers and atmosphere!

I think that Monday, 12/9 will probably be very light as far as holiday/peak season crowds go -- unless Disney suddenly throws something unexpected into the mix.

December 2nd will probably be a very good, fairly light-crowd day (it's a Monday, and Mondays seem to be good as far as lighter crowds in early December, from what I have observed). Tuesday, December 3rd will probably be more crowded than Monday but not unbearable. Wednesday probably won't be too bad. Thursday and Friday will probably be busier, as people arrive for the weekend.

The good thing is that you should have enough time to get everything done. However, the fact that there are no more 6-day Hoppers really seems to be throwing a lot of people off. A Cast Member I spoke to a few weeks ago said that "they" (Disneyland) had received soooooo many calls and complaints about the 6-day Hopper issue.

The other thing that is throwing everything off is the fact that Disney doesn't release much in the way of holiday season info this early on. Will there or won't there be a paid Christmas party this year? That is something a lot of folks would like to know so they can kind of mull it over and decide if they want to work it into their holiday plans or make a special trip to attend a party...and yet Disneyland is just not doling out the holiday information yet! (Meanwhile, WDW is coming out with some of their holiday info!)

 

[merrysmom]

Thanks for the welcome!

It might also help if I got my dates right, huh? We are staying 12/1-12/7 and the park days will be Monday the 2nd through Friday the 6th. Clearly, summer vacation has been hard on my memory! (Although I am among the ranks of those wishing for a return of the 6th day add on!)

Planning this trip has been very disconcerting for me, because while I've visited Disneyland 10 or 12 times, I feel like it's a whole new set of rules for the holidays. I'm thinking it's time to make my trip binder so I can take notes in it as I read!

 

[Sherry E]

Thanks for the welcome!

It might also help if I got my dates right, huh? We are staying 12/1-12/7 and the park days will be Monday the 2nd through Friday the 6th. Clearly, summer vacation has been hard on my memory! (Although I am among the ranks of those wishing for a return of the 6th day add on!)

Planning this trip has been very disconcerting for me, because while I've visited Disneyland 10 or 12 times, I feel like it's a whole new set of rules for the holidays. I'm thinking it's time to make my trip binder so I can take notes in it as I read!

Melissa --

Laurie/DizNee Luver made a fantastic trip binder when she was planning a holiday trip to WDW last year...and then the WDW trip never ended up happening (she went to DLR instead). I told her she should get in the business of making trip binders for people -- it was that good! I saw how helpful those binders could be (and fun to put together too)!!

Well, even better (your dates)! You'll be missing the Candlelight Ceremony crowds in the parks and won't have to deal with them. And I think that -- unless Disney suddenly throws in a party or some crazy thing -- those days you'll be in the parks will be mostly good in terms of lighter holiday crowds. There is no getting around the fact that many people have to return to work and school after their Thanksgiving breaks are over, and it will be too soon for Christmas breaks to begin.

I will say that there are certain things that may be different about holiday planning for DLR vs. planning for the regular seasons, and some aspects of a normal DLR trip will be altered slightly to make room for any holiday events you want to include in your trip, but mostly -- as long as you enjoy the Christmas season to begin with -- it is just a wonderful time to go! It's like the regular everyday magic of Disneyland, but amplified by 1000! There are so many wonderful decorations -- themed to different areas -- and details that enhance the overall atmosphere, from the hotels to the parks to Downtown Disney. It really is a Resort-wide celebration (unlike Halloween Time, which really only takes place in Disneyland park itself).

I think you'll have a great time! The 3rd Annual Theme Week Countdown is coming very soon, and that will yield a bonanza of photos for a few months (as we wait for bits of information to trickle in from Disney). Hopefully, that will help build anticipation and excitement for everyone planning trips!