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

[butterflymouse]

Has Disney released info about Holiday merchandise this year? I kinda want to get an idea of what I might want to get before I arrive.

 

[Sherry E]

Sherry, I've been watching for 100% proof one way or another on both of these.

I *think* SM has been mostly debunked. It's no longer listed as a closure and the story linked on the DIS home page is gone. I believe someone misplaced some digits with the one day closure to remove the overlay and 11-4-13 for reopening became 1-14-14 or some such thing. But the general consensus is that it will only close for the overlay removal. I was going to post that here, but was hoping for something more definitive than the guesses we have seen so far.

BTMRR is another matter. Someone posted last week they saw a sign saying it would reopen in 2014. But others have been posting signs that say Fall 2013. Others say CMs have told them it would not reopen until 2014. So a whole lot of 2nd and 3rd hand stuff. Stay tuned. If I see something definitive I'll post it over here. I think there have been so many stories about this that people are waiting to see an actual photo of a sign on the attractions saying 2014 before believing it.

Janet --

Good grief! What probably was a matter of mixing up a couple of digits in the dates caused a big stir (about Space Mountain)! When I read that Space Mountain news I was thinking, "Well, if it is important enough to close it down during the busy holiday season, when there may be another major ride down as well, there must be something that needs to be urgently fixed on SM." And, to think, it was likely just a goof...

I think that Disney has been so careless with the info that has been put out there this year (specifically in regards to DLR) that I can understand how everyone wants concrete proof about BTMRR. Who even knows what to believe at this point? For DLR to not have a major ride like that open in time for the super popular holiday season, it must mean there is no way to get it running on time. At the same time, there is so much mixed info floating around out there that anything could suddenly pop up and negate everything that has already been learned!

Has Disney released info about Holiday merchandise this year? I kinda want to get an idea of what I might want to get before I arrive.

butterflymouse -

I think that the Disney Store Online might carry a few things right now. Otherwise, the Parks Blog has really only tackled the Halloween merchandise so far.

The holiday merchandise will roll out, little by little, during the Halloween season (I'll take a peek at any holiday stuff I can find when I am there for Halloween Time next week), and then more of it will come out closer to the end of November and beginning of December. (Last year the popular Mickey nutcrackers came out in the DLR shops after Thanksgiving and closer to early December.)

Stay tuned, as we will be covering merchandise-related fun in an upcoming Theme Week!

 

[Lucrezia]

Lucrezia --

Oh wow, I didn't even know you were going to try to read any of my TRs so I appreciate that you did. Thank you. Good timing, as I just deleted that entire TR thread. Five years of work on it and photos from 1972-2013 down the tubes! All of that writing and struggling with Photobucket, for naught!

You know, Buena Vista Street's decor is interesting because it is not as obvious and colorful as the decor in other lands around DLR, but it is definitely theme-specific. It looks as it is supposed to look. There are a few very vintage-looking window displays. I love the Trolley Treats display. It is much more subtle and understated on BVS than I think a lot of folks were expecting (because Main Street is so grand). Main Street definitely wins the "nighttime" contest because it is so beautiful, as you will see in person, but BVS is very special. I also love the BVS tree and the vintage-y ornaments on it.

The attention to detail all over DLR is so amazing anyway, on a regular day, but during the holiday season it is kicked up 1000 notches. Just looking at the differences between the decor in Frontierland, and Toontown, and A Bug's Land, and New Orleans Square, and Main Street and Cars Land, etc., is interesting in and of itself. You can spend a whole day just staring at decorations! Even in the areas where the decor is very minimal -- such as Paradise Pier and Grizzly Peak in DCA, or in Critter Country in DL -- what is there is perfectly themed to the land.

I think that Ana and Lucia (and you and your fiance as well!) are in for a real treat! I am hoping that once they catch a glimpse of one of the gingerbread cookies with mouse ears, it will be love at first sight!

Try to make a point of visiting the Disney hotels too -- just to get photos in front of each Christmas tree, or maybe with each one of the Santas! I have only seen the Santa at the PPH and never posed with him, but I have been told that he is a fun Santa! I have posed with the one at the GCH, and he is fun as well. The Santa spot at the DLH has the best overall, most elaborate layout -- and, of course, a plate of the ever-present fake cookies that DLR loves to decorate with!

Did you see that I posted info in the Halloween Superthread on two new Halloween TV shows that are debuting this year (on Travel Channel)? One of them is called "Halloween Night Frights" and the other one is called "Halloween Craziest"!! I can't wait!

Yeah, I thought your TRs were so much fun! And the pictures were great too What a shame that its all deleted now. I know that would really bother me if I were in your shoes. I love the retro look of BVS's decorations, and the ornaments especially caught my eye, though really all of it looked so festive and fun! From the photos I've seen, I think it has equal charm to Main Street's decorations, just in a different way. CL looks so cute, too! My nieces have only seen DCA once since the revamp was finished and I have a feeling they'll adore CL with its seasonal decor up. They love pretty much anything Pixar-related lol.We'll probably spend a fair amount of time at the hotels, too. In fact, one of the reasons we decided to go with the GCH (besides for the obvious proximity to the parks, especially DCA) was that we want to spend as much of our time in the lobby as possible. The photos I've seen of it decorated for Christmas are just too much! It looks so beautiful. I know the other hotels are decorated, too, but something about the GCH I just find... irresistible. Can't wait to see it decorated in person! I did see your post on those Halloween specials and I'll be sure to DVR them. Do you watch 25 Days of Christmas or 13 Nights of Halloween on ABC Family? They're guilty pleasures of mine lol They air some of the best holiday movies and TV shows every year. Its just not the holidays until I have my DVR completely full with themed programming!! I even keep Prep And Landing on there year-round so that if I get holiday fever I'll have something good to watch... lol. Its one of my favorite specials

 

[Cheshirecatty]

Sherry.......

I am so bitter(and I'm trying hard to contain it)---I was only half way through your 2012 Christmas Report.

I still can't believe that experience with the pink peppermint ice cream, and that girl who gave you the "eye"--what a beast!

But now I'll never know all the other fun/scary experiences you had!!!!

Now I will have to just wait with bated breath for this year's Halloween and Christmas trip reports installments! You will do them won't you?(pretty please?)

 

[egritz]

I'm trying to figure out if we should try to book the Holiday Tour. We will have my 2 1/2 year old daughter with us and she is a really good kid, but I'm not sure if it is appropriate for her to be in the tour. I know my mom would LOVE the preferred seating for the parade too, so an option (if they would allow it) is for my parents to do the tour, and then have my daughter sit with them for the parade.

 

[twinky]

I'm trying to figure out if we should try to book the Holiday Tour. We will have my 2 1/2 year old daughter with us and she is a really good kid, but I'm not sure if it is appropriate for her to be in the tour. I know my mom would LOVE the preferred seating for the parade too, so an option (if they would allow it) is for my parents to do the tour, and then have my daughter sit with them for the parade.

Hi! Just wanted to weigh in on the Holiday Tour. I took my kids, then 4 and 6, on the tour and they did OK. It was our first day in the park and they were tired, but good sports about it. We took the 2nd tour, which ended with the evening parade. I would suggest the noon-ish tour for a child, unless that interferes with naptime! A stroller may help you get around. You'll have to park it to board the rides, of course. I would def book the tour again. Seating for the tour and fast access to IASW and HM were worth it imo. Enjoy!

 

[PHXscuba]

Here are my parade shots. All were taken in Dec. 2010 from the reserved Holiday Tour seating near IASWH.

PHXscuba

 

[ksromack]

Wow is all I can say regarding all the photos posted here in the last couple of days! I love how everyone managed to get great shots in day and nighttime! Those night time parade photos aren't the easiest photos to take!

Does anyone know if the on site hotels can receive packages from places like Amazon? Last year I made and brought all my ornaments but I ordered a 36" tree and had it delivered to my resort. Then I decorated it myself. It turned out pretty cute and lots cheaper than buying the room decorating package.

 

[Mickeybell]

I have a few parade pictures to share.




I love Eeyore!





Santa!


My pictures are no where near as nice and crisp as many others, but I figured I would share mine anyways.

 

[butterflymouse]

butterflymouse -

I think that the Disney Store Online might carry a few things right now. Otherwise, the Parks Blog has really only tackled the Halloween merchandise so far.

The holiday merchandise will roll out, little by little, during the Halloween season (I'll take a peek at any holiday stuff I can find when I am there for Halloween Time next week), and then more of it will come out closer to the end of November and beginning of December. (Last year the popular Mickey nutcrackers came out in the DLR shops after Thanksgiving and closer to early December.)

Stay tuned, as we will be covering merchandise-related fun in an upcoming Theme Week!

Thanks for the info! Looking forward to the theme week!

 

[funatdisney]

More Parade pictures:

 

[wildflower329]

I am loving all of the parade and fireworks pictures! It is getting me excited for our November trip

 

[Sherry E]

A new theme week starts in 3 days!!!​

Wow is all I can say regarding all the photos posted here in the last couple of days! I love how everyone managed to get great shots in day and nighttime! Those night time parade photos aren't the easiest photos to take!

Does anyone know if the on site hotels can receive packages from places like Amazon? Last year I made and brought all my ornaments but I ordered a 36" tree and had it delivered to my resort. Then I decorated it myself. It turned out pretty cute and lots cheaper than buying the room decorating package.

Kathy --

Technically, I think you probably can arrange for packages to be sent to your onsite hotel because people order grocery deliveries and things like that. If people can get groceries delivered to their hotel I don't see why a package couldn't be delivered.

However, I will say that you may get a 'hit or miss' answer from the Cast Members on the Reservations phone line. You should definitely call them beforehand and double check about deliveries just to be sure you can get them at the PPH. I say this because, depending on who the CMs are at the front desk, they may be reluctant to do certain things like accept packages.

Back in December 2011, I was sharing my room at the PPH with Laurie/DizNee Luver and another person from this board. I arrived two days before they arrived, and I left their room keys at the front desk for them to pick up when they arrived, since I was busy with other friends that day.

The CM at the front desk of the PPH looked at me as though I was asking for a dancing wombat to be sent up to my room when I asked if I could leave the 2 room keys at the front for my two roommates. I didn't think it was that odd of a request for a guest to make, and yet the look I got from this man was very...suspicious, maybe? Like he didn't know what I was up to? He reminded me that they'd (Laurie and the other DIS'er) have to show their ID to get the room keys -- which I'm sure was to be expected and not shocking, and yet this CM said it to me with a stern look on his face, as though it was going to be an inconvenience for being able to pick up the keys. He just behaved as though this was a bizarre request and an inconvenience, which was unexpected.

Anyway, just based on that room key episode I realize that certain CMs handle certain things differently. One CM may tell you that no packages can be received there and another one will tell you they can.

​

I realize that I think I overlooked farmfresh's last post and neglected to reply, but I am reminded of it now while thinking of Kathy getting a tree delivered to her room.

farmfresh --

Did you say that you were thinking about possibly getting one of the little trees for your room (if I recall correctly)? Are you going to stay onsite? If so, check with Vacation Planning about the prices on that. The last I heard, the trees that Vacation Planning can put in your room are decorated with Disney ornaments and maybe come with some other little extras, and I think they might be in the range of $200-ish. But they also have stockings and Christmas baskets they can put together for the rooms as well, and those are likely cheaper.

You're welcome (you thanked me for posting the Update on the official news in this thread a few pages back)! I know that we have new people joining in or reading along all the time, and they don't necessarily have the time to scroll back many pages. So I will periodically re-post that info (the recap of what we know about the season's details so far) every so often just to keep everyone in the loop!

​

Yeah, I thought your TRs were so much fun! And the pictures were great too What a shame that its all deleted now. I know that would really bother me if I were in your shoes. I love the retro look of BVS's decorations, and the ornaments especially caught my eye, though really all of it looked so festive and fun! From the photos I've seen, I think it has equal charm to Main Street's decorations, just in a different way. CL looks so cute, too! My nieces have only seen DCA once since the revamp was finished and I have a feeling they'll adore CL with its seasonal decor up. They love pretty much anything Pixar-related lol.We'll probably spend a fair amount of time at the hotels, too. In fact, one of the reasons we decided to go with the GCH (besides for the obvious proximity to the parks, especially DCA) was that we want to spend as much of our time in the lobby as possible. The photos I've seen of it decorated for Christmas are just too much! It looks so beautiful. I know the other hotels are decorated, too, but something about the GCH I just find... irresistible. Can't wait to see it decorated in person! I did see your post on those Halloween specials and I'll be sure to DVR them. Do you watch 25 Days of Christmas or 13 Nights of Halloween on ABC Family? They're guilty pleasures of mine lol They air some of the best holiday movies and TV shows every year. Its just not the holidays until I have my DVR completely full with themed programming!! I even keep Prep And Landing on there year-round so that if I get holiday fever I'll have something good to watch... lol. Its one of my favorite specials

Lucrezia -

I thought of you this week, as I know you're a fellow hot weather hater. It has been so hot and miserable here -- and extra humid for what we normally get in SoCal. I've had a rough time sleeping. It is well past the time for the weather to change! It needs to cool down -- and fast!

I do watch the 25 Days of Christmas and 13 Nights of Halloween if there are good movies or specials on. I especially love the Christmas one because the 25 Days usually include some of the great Rankin Bass clay puppet specials that I love (like "Year Without a Santa Claus," "Rudolph's Shiny New Year," "Jack Frost," etc."). The 13 Nights don't always include things I necessarily want to see, for some reason. The Peanuts special usually airs on one of the main networks like CBS or ABC. And the great Halloween-specific shows (about decor and celebrations) air on Travel Channel or HGTV. Last year I think there was a Halloween decor special that aired elsewhere too, but I can't recall the channel.

My DVR is 91% full. Some of what's on there are non-Disney and non-holiday movies or TV specials (for example, I have "The Hangover" saved because I love me some Bradley Cooper!), but I would say that the majority of what is on the DVR involves some sort of Halloween TV specials, Christmas decorations TV specials, Christmas movies from the Hallmark Channel (like "Farewell, Mr. Kringle"), regular Christmas movies like "Elf" and "Love Actually," a few shows about Catalina Island and Disney Parks specials, such as the Travel Channel/Destination America shows about Disneyland and WDW, "Unwrapped," Samantha Brown's Disney holiday special, Guy Fieri's Disneyland holiday special, etc.

I'm so glad that you enjoyed what you saw and read from my TR. Thank you! I'm assuming you just read through the most recent 2012 reports and didn't go back to 2011 and earlier? I can't blame deleting my TR thread on anyone but myself, but I had reasons for doing it. Since it was already at its page limit and would have to be closed anyway, I figured I'd just delete it. But yes, after spending all that time on it over 5 years, it was a bit frustrating.

As far as decor -- again, I love both Main Street's decor and BVS' decor for different reasons and I understand the need for BVS to have more subdued decor.

In the end, though, I have to give the edge to Main Street. Hold your final decision until you see both lands in person, in the daytime and especially at night! Don't rely on photos. One of the most beautiful sights you will ever see at Disneyland is Main Street, at night, during the holiday season. It is breathtaking -- especially after the fireworks, when the light snow begins to fall and the lights go on. When you step into Town Square and look down Main Street, past all of the gorgeous lights and the ice blue-lit tree, and see that glowing Castle in the distance...it just doesn't get much more 'warm and fuzzy' in terms of holiday splendor than that. (That's why one of my friends -- someone who is not even a big Christmas person at all -- said, in amazement, "You guys...it's just so beautiful..." as she gazed down Main Street during one December visit. She had only seen it in the daytime up to that point.)

Buena Vista Street is great in its own way, but at night it simply does not capture that awe-inspiring feeling that you get on Main Street.

The GCH lobby in general is just a really inviting, festive place during the holidays. The carolers, pianist and guitarist add to the overall mood. It's the best place for holiday atmosphere out of the 3 hotels. But the Santa set-up at the DLH is worth a look for your nieces, I think. And the tree at the PPH is just downright stunning in person, even if there isn't too much decor beyond that tree and Santa's chair.

Sherry.......

I am so bitter(and I'm trying hard to contain it)---I was only half way through your 2012 Christmas Report.

I still can't believe that experience with the pink peppermint ice cream, and that girl who gave you the "eye"--what a beast!

But now I'll never know all the other fun/scary experiences you had!!!!

Now I will have to just wait with bated breath for this year's Halloween and Christmas trip reports installments! You will do them won't you?(pretty please?)

Cheshirecatty --

Oh no! I'm sorry! I didn't realize that anyone was even still reading my TR thread! Yikes! That was one reason why I thought I could get away with deleting it -- I thought, "No one is reading it now. No one will even notice if it's gone."

If I had known you were reading anything I would have surely left the thread up for a while. I still have the installments of the December 2012 TR (and December 2011 too) saved in MS Word, but that won't do much good if they are not in an actual TR for you to read!

If you only got halfway into the December 2012 report and didn't go back to 2011 or 2010 or even further, you missed some funny (and sad) stuff -- some of my better 'work,' I would say, in terms of writing, anecdotes and humor (and lots of photos). The peppermint ice cream cone gone awry in 2010... The lethal scarf... The evil chair that I sat in, which a little girl banged into (prompting her to loudly start crying in Storytellers Cafe)... The Twilight Zone Lady... The shuttle driver I was certain was going to drive me into a forest... Sitting on a bench in DCA, sobbing as my 2011 trip was caving in around me...

Also, I gave a lot of history -- like my background of going to church where Thurl Ravenscroft (the late Disney voice actor, singing head in Haunted Mansion and voice of Tony the Tiger) was a member of the congregation when I was a child, and my memories of the original Pan Pacific Auditorium, the design of which was used for the entrance to DHS and DCA 2.0. Earlier in the TR thread I posted Disneyland photos from 1972 and all the way up through the 1990's and beyond. I even posted photos of my Disneyland trip with Bret Michaels and other friends from back in early 1986.

You missed out on a lot when I deleted my own TR thread!!! I caused you to waste time that you'd already spent on it. Yikes!

Yes, that trio of people who plunked down at "my table" in December 2012 as I attempted to eat my ice cream were a hoot, weren't they? They invaded my space, for all intents and purposes, and yet that one lady was staring at me across the table as though I was inconveniencing them. It was sooooo awkward. I just wanted to get out of there as soon as possible. I'm all for chatting with other people at DLR and being friendly -- I do it on every single trip -- but not when I am messily scarfing down rapidly-melting ice cream that is dripping all over everything, as I sit at a table waaaaaaay in the back, out of the way of everything!

I will do something TR-wise for Halloween and the holidays, though -- depending on time, or lack thereof -- I might just do a "photo report" without the tales of wonder and woe that usually go along with my trips! If I don't have time to relate witty stories, it might be all photos in the report. I will have to play it by ear -- but I'm happy that you'll be tuning in!

 

[Cheshirecatty]

Don't worry Sherry---I thoroughly enjoyed what I did read, and I certainly don't consider it a waste of time, even though I didn't get to finish!

You have a gift for writing, so I'll definitely make sure to be watching for your new reports! Thanks for replying so kindly!

 

[Sherry E]

Don't worry Sherry---I thoroughly enjoyed what I did read, and I certainly don't consider it a waste of time, even though I didn't get to finish!

You have a gift for writing, so I'll definitely make sure to be watching for your new reports! Thanks for replying so kindly!

Cheshirecatty --

Thank you for the kind words, and for at least trying to get through the entire TR (before I squashed that plan, unknowingly!). Since I do have the last 2 TRs saved in Word, when I begin a new TR thread I may post certain segments from them just as sort of background or as an intro, so people can get a little bit of insight into the mind of this madwoman! I won't post the entire reports in a new thread, but just snippets here and there if I can (of any noteworthy happenings).

 

[Lucrezia]

Lucrezia -

I thought of you this week, as I know you're a fellow hot weather hater. It has been so hot and miserable here -- and extra humid for what we normally get in SoCal. I've had a rough time sleeping. It is well past the time for the weather to change! It needs to cool down -- and fast!

I do watch the 25 Days of Christmas and 13 Nights of Halloween if there are good movies or specials on. I especially love the Christmas one because the 25 Days usually include some of the great Rankin Bass clay puppet specials that I love (like "Year Without a Santa Claus," "Rudolph's Shiny New Year," "Jack Frost," etc."). The 13 Nights don't always include things I necessarily want to see, for some reason. The Peanuts special usually airs on one of the main networks like CBS or ABC. And the great Halloween-specific shows (about decor and celebrations) air on Travel Channel or HGTV. Last year I think there was a Halloween decor special that aired elsewhere too, but I can't recall the channel.

My DVR is 91% full. Some of what's on there are non-Disney and non-holiday movies or TV specials (for example, I have "The Hangover" saved because I love me some Bradley Cooper!), but I would say that the majority of what is on the DVR involves some sort of Halloween TV specials, Christmas decorations TV specials, Christmas movies from the Hallmark Channel (like "Farewell, Mr. Kringle"), regular Christmas movies like "Elf" and "Love Actually," a few shows about Catalina Island and Disney Parks specials, such as the Travel Channel/Destination America shows about Disneyland and WDW, "Unwrapped," Samantha Brown's Disney holiday special, Guy Fieri's Disneyland holiday special, etc.

I'm so glad that you enjoyed what you saw and read from my TR. Thank you! I'm assuming you just read through the most recent 2012 reports and didn't go back to 2011 and earlier? I can't blame deleting my TR thread on anyone but myself, but I had reasons for doing it. Since it was already at its page limit and would have to be closed anyway, I figured I'd just delete it. But yes, after spending all that time on it over 5 years, it was a bit frustrating.

As far as decor -- again, I love both Main Street's decor and BVS' decor for different reasons and I understand the need for BVS to have more subdued decor.

In the end, though, I have to give the edge to Main Street. Hold your final decision until you see both lands in person, in the daytime and especially at night! Don't rely on photos. One of the most beautiful sights you will ever see at Disneyland is Main Street, at night, during the holiday season. It is breathtaking -- especially after the fireworks, when the light snow begins to fall and the lights go on. When you step into Town Square and look down Main Street, past all of the gorgeous lights and the ice blue-lit tree, and see that glowing Castle in the distance...it just doesn't get much more 'warm and fuzzy' in terms of holiday splendor than that. (That's why one of my friends -- someone who is not even a big Christmas person at all -- said, in amazement, "You guys...it's just so beautiful..." as she gazed down Main Street during one December visit. She had only seen it in the daytime up to that point.)

Buena Vista Street is great in its own way, but at night it simply does not capture that awe-inspiring feeling that you get on Main Street.

The GCH lobby in general is just a really inviting, festive place during the holidays. The carolers, pianist and guitarist add to the overall mood. It's the best place for holiday atmosphere out of the 3 hotels. But the Santa set-up at the DLH is worth a look for your nieces, I think. And the tree at the PPH is just downright stunning in person, even if there isn't to much decor beyond that tree and Santa's chair.

Ugh, I feel horrible that its been so hot in your area! I'm a northern-Cali girl (when I'm not in Spain, anyway) so its been okay lately, but just yesterday began a heat wave and I have to admit, its been awful... lol... I'm craving some rain!! At any rate, yes, not all of the the 13 Nights of Halloween and 25 Days of Christmas movies and specials are gems (or at least not things I'd watch!), particularly with 13 Nights, however, they air The Nightmare Before Christmas each year (for both Nights and Days), which is a huge bonus in my book! Lol.I think my favorite Xmas special though would have to be 'Twas the Night. Its an HBO Family special from the early 2000s, I think, and its just the sweetest thing. Basically, it involves kids from different religions talking about the holidays and giving their opinions. So adorable! And in between the kids, there's some great holiday music and such. The best Christmas special, ever. They didn't air it last year so I bought it on DVD and every time I watch it, I swear I tear up a little. I highly recommend it! Anyway... as for your TR thread, I actually read more than just 2012. I also read your "Aunt Betty's Weepy, Wacky, Wonderful" TR and loved it! Seriously, I was so addicted (and it really helped pass the time during my miserably sickness!). I'm a dancer but I also write books and have had several published, so I know what I'm talking about when I say that I think you're really, really good! You certainly have a knack for it, IMHO. The way you blended poignancy and humor was just beautiful. Great work!!

 

[Sherry E]

For those of you who have been following along when we have briefly discussed holiday/Christmas TV programming in this thread, and have noticed that I've mentioned that I love the Hallmark Channel's Countdown to Christmas, I will say that this year's Hallmark Countdown to Christmas begins on Saturday, November 2nd!! (Actually, to be honest, I have a feeling that the older Hallmark Christmas movies will begin airing on Friday, November 1st, but the first new movie of the year will air on 11/2.)

What is the Hallmark Channel Countdown to Christmas, you may wonder? Basically, it is what I secretly call a "harmless mood enhancer." The Hallmark Countdown to Christmas takes place on every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, from when it begins in early November to when it ends just after New Year's. All weekend long for those two months, Hallmark airs some of its best, frothy, predictable, sugary, often corny holiday movies. They debut brand new ones on Saturday and Sunday nights, but during the daytime all weekend they run some of the existing Hallmark holiday favorites such as "Farewell, Mr. Kringle," "Mrs. Miracle," "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year," "Trading Christmas," "The Christmas Visitor," etc.

None of the movies that air on Hallmark during these two months are classic Christmas movies that you've seen 100 times. There is no "It's a Wonderful Life" on this channel, for example. Instead, all of the movies are stamped with that special brand of Hallmark goodness -- and they are addictive.

The plots often involve some sort of disenchanted woman who is anti-love and anti-Christmas, and by the end of the movie she is in love with a man and in love with Christmas! Or, there might be a story about some Christmas magic (a list, a spell, a book, etc.) that goes awry and causes havoc, only to be resolved in the end. Or, there might be a more serious story about a downtrodden person or family who ends up realizing the true meaning of Christmas and has a happy, heartstring-tugging ending. Most of the actors are B-list and C-list level (even some D-listers!). You've seen many of them, but they aren't super famous.

These little sweet Christmas TV confections are all feel-good movies with very good messages (and no calories, like most Christmas confections!), and they are great to sort of keep on the TV as a running Christmas celebration, just as you might play Christmas music. Sometimes I have time to actually sit down and watch the movies. Sometimes I might DVR a few of them. Sometimes I just catch little snippets of them here and there.

As soon as Saturday morning rolls around I turn the channel to Hallmark (which I never really watch at any time of year other than the holidays) and leave it there as background noise while I'm doing other things, essentially, and it works wonders to get me in the spirit of the season and/or maintain that warm, cuddly Christmas feeling!

So I do recommend that if you love Christmas and love any kinds of Christmas or holiday movies, and if you have the Hallmark Channel (which you don't if you are a U-verse customer ), tune in on any weekend between November 2nd and early January and see if you get hooked in like I did! (It's now a yearly tradition for me, that Hallmark Countdown to Christmas!)

 

[Phoenixrising]

I encountered a seat sale with Westjet for our trip to Edmonton, so I went online today to book our flights. Half way through the booking their system crashes, and when I went back in to book the flights they were going to charge me over $100 more for the flights. So I called them, and ended up making them honor the price quoted when their system crashed. If they had not honored the amount quoted when I was attempting to book the flights, our other CDN airline is also having a seat sale, so I would have booked with them instead. So we are now officially booked for our Edmonton trip HORRORS!! I've decided I'm going to book the Holiday tour, and possibly Blue Bayou for my reward for this last minute insane trip to Edmonton. While I've not been on the board that much I've been looking at all the Christmas pics, and am really looking forward to my upcoming trip! I'm normally a Commando planner, but this is getting crazy!

 

[Sherry E]

Ugh, I feel horrible that its been so hot in your area! I'm a northern-Cali girl (when I'm not in Spain, anyway) so its been okay lately, but just yesterday began a heat wave and I have to admit, its been awful... lol... I'm craving some rain!! At any rate, yes, not all of the the 13 Nights of Halloween and 25 Days of Christmas movies and specials are gems (or at least not things I'd watch!), particularly with 13 Nights, however, they air The Nightmare Before Christmas each year (for both Nights and Days), which is a huge bonus in my book! Lol.I think my favorite Xmas special though would have to be 'Twas the Night. Its an HBO Family special from the early 2000s, I think, and its just the sweetest thing. Basically, it involves kids from different religions talking about the holidays and giving their opinions. So adorable! And in between the kids, there's some great holiday music and such. The best Christmas special, ever. They didn't air it last year so I bought it on DVD and every time I watch it, I swear I tear up a little. I highly recommend it! Anyway... as for your TR thread, I actually read more than just 2012. I also read your "Aunt Betty's Weepy, Wacky, Wonderful" TR and loved it! Seriously, I was so addicted (and it really helped pass the time during my miserably sickness!). I'm a dancer but I also write books and have had several published, so I know what I'm talking about when I say that I think you're really, really good! You certainly have a knack for it, IMHO. The way you blended poignancy and humor was just beautiful. Great work!!

Lucrezia --

An interesting thing I've observed about the weather (at least down here in SoCal) and how I can tell that the seasons are 'trying' to change is that the early mornings are a good indicator. I think that a lot of people would assume that evening temperatures are the sure sign of weather cooling down and seasons changing, but I tend to notice it more in the morning. Often times the evenings don't even seem all that cool when we're in the middle of a heat wave because the night hours carry so much of that residual hot air from the daytime.

The early mornings are like a clean slate -- a fresh start, for lack of a better term -- and it's a clearer time to gauge if it is actually cooler, as all of that heat from the day before has worn off. As soon as I start to notice that the morning air is crisper and cooler over an extended time -- especially when it gets to the point where I need to pull an extra blanket over me or close a window -- I know that the seasonal switch is finally kicking in. For the last couple of days I have noticed that the mornings felt a slight bit cooler...and then the days and nights have been miserable. That tells me that Summer is ever-so-slowly slowly preparing to exit, but not at full speed.

In about 2 months, the early morning air will be downright brisk, and even when it's hot during the day it won't feel as harsh and sharp as it feels in the daytime now. That will be around the mid-point between Fall and Winter.

You know, I don't think I've seen "'Twas the Night" on HBO Family! It didn't air last year, you said, but if it aired in previous years I should have seen it in the listings. How has that escaped me?

I've noticed that the 13 Nights movies or shows are really hit or miss. There have been some years when I wanted to watch a lot of what they were running, and other years where I was just kind of so-so about it. Hopefully this year's programming will be a home run!

Most of the 25 Days shows/movies are good, though!

I was mentioning in the Halloween Superthread that Bravo used to air this great 5-part series called "The 100 Scariest Movie Moments." I recall seeing it for like 3 years in a row -- always in the 5 days leading up to Halloween and/or a 5-hour marathon on Halloween day/night. It was great not only because various people like Rob Zombie and other other horror-ish cultural figures were commenting on the 100 movie moments, but also because quite a few of the movies discussed were obscure, lesser-known movies. I just found it to be fascinating that some of the scariest moments (or most grotesque) came from movies I had never heard of! I had to look away when half of the scenes were shown, or cover my eyes.

Sadly, that 5-hour series has disappeared. For the last 3 years or so, Bravo has instead run the one-hour or 90-minute sequel to "100 Scariest Movie Moments," called "Even Scarier Movie Moments," featuring more of the movies that have come out since the original 5-part series was made. And there was yet another channel that aired a similar 90-minute show with scary kids or scary movies, or whatever -- but nothing compares to that original 5-hour Bravo series, and I wish they would bring it back! I wonder if they lost the rights to air it if it wasn't created for Bravo.

Oh wow! You read the "Aunt Betty's Weepy, Wacky, Wonderful..." TR/saga too? I'm grateful that you took the time (while in your sickbed!). I had no idea that anyone was secretly reading my TRs anymore, especially when there are so many others to choose from. I just assumed, "Now is as good a time as any to take this masterpiece down from the board!" I probably should have left the thread up for a while longer before taking it down so abruptly.

Anyway, thank you, thank you, thank you for the kind words about the TR and my writing ability and all of that. I really appreciate it. I actually submitted a single post from "Aunt Betty" as a writing sample recently (it was the opening post to that report, in which I was in the shuttle on the way to the PPH, and the driver was taking a different route -- one which I was sure would lead to a forest). I remember laughing out loud when I wrote it, so I thought that maybe someone else might laugh upon reading it!

I like writing about those ridiculous -- and often sad -- moments in life, so I can either try to find great humor in them or gain some sort of perspective, after the fact.

I encountered a seat sale with Westjet for our trip to Edmonton, so I went online today to book our flights. Half way through the booking their system crashes, and when I went back in to book the flights they were going to charge me over $100 more for the flights. So I called them, and ended up making them honor the price quoted when their system crashed. If they had not honored the amount quoted when I was attempting to book the flights, our other CDN airline is also having a seat sale, so I would have booked with them instead. So we are now officially booked for our Edmonton trip HORRORS!! I've decided I'm going to book the Holiday tour, and possibly Blue Bayou for my reward for this last minute insane trip to Edmonton. While I've not been on the board that much I've been looking at all the Christmas pics, and am really looking forward to my upcoming trip! I'm normally a Commando planner, but this is getting crazy!

I'm glad you got your Edmonton flight booked, Trish!

I know that I would be exhausted having to do an extra trip on top of another trip. I think the Blue Bayou and the holiday tour sound like a great reward!

There is another fun theme week starting in two days! A whole new assortment o' photos! Stay tuned!

 

[tksbaskets]

For those of you who have been following along when we have briefly discussed holiday/Christmas TV programming in this thread, and have noticed that I've mentioned that I love the Hallmark Channel's Countdown to Christmas, I will say that this year's Hallmark Countdown to Christmas begins on Saturday, November 2nd!! (Actually, to be honest, I have a feeling that the older Hallmark Christmas movies will begin airing on Friday, November 1st, but the first new movie of the year will air on 11/2.)

What is the Hallmark Channel Countdown to Christmas, you may wonder? Basically, it is what I secretly call a "harmless mood enhancer." The Hallmark Countdown to Christmas takes place on every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, from when it begins in early November to when it ends just after New Year's. All weekend long for those two months, Hallmark airs some of its best, frothy, predictable, sugary, often corny holiday movies. They debut brand new ones on Saturday and Sunday nights, but during the daytime all weekend they run some of the existing Hallmark holiday favorites such as "Farewell, Mr. Kringle," "Mrs. Miracle," "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year," "Trading Christmas," "The Christmas Visitor," etc.

None of the movies that air on Hallmark during these two months are classic Christmas movies that you've seen 100 times. There is no "It's a Wonderful Life" on this channel, for example. Instead, all of the movies are stamped with that special brand of Hallmark goodness -- and they are addictive.

The plots often involve some sort of disenchanted woman who is anti-love and anti-Christmas, and by the end of the movie she is in love with a man and in love with Christmas! Or, there might be a story about some Christmas magic (a list, a spell, a book, etc.) that goes awry and causes havoc, only to be resolved in the end. Or, there might be a more serious story about a downtrodden person or family who ends up realizing the true meaning of Christmas and has a happy, heartstring-tugging ending. Most of the actors are B-list and C-list level (even some D-listers!). You've seen many of them, but they aren't super famous.

These little sweet Christmas TV confections are all feel-good movies with very good messages (and no calories, like most Christmas confections!), and they are great to sort of keep on the TV as a running Christmas celebration, just as you might play Christmas music. Sometimes I have time to actually sit down and watch the movies. Sometimes I might DVR a few of them. Sometimes I just catch little snippets of them here and there.

As soon as Saturday morning rolls around I turn the channel to Hallmark (which I never really watch at any time of year other than the holidays) and leave it there as background noise while I'm doing other things, essentially, and it works wonders to get me in the spirit of the season and/or maintain that warm, cuddly Christmas feeling!

So I do recommend that if you love Christmas and love any kinds of Christmas or holiday movies, and if you have the Hallmark Channel (which you don't if you are a U-verse customer ), tune in on any weekend between November 2nd and early January and see if you get hooked in like I did! (It's now a yearly tradition for me, that Hallmark Countdown to Christmas!)

WAHOO!!