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

[tksbaskets]

TK --

Did you see that deej posted here last week?

I'm sooooo glad you just posted pictures of two different versions of the gingerbread cookie with mouse ears, as it perfectly illustrates what I was just explaining to Cheshirecatty in my post from earlier this afternoon!

You've got another entry into the random draw.

Your December trip will be here before you know it. It seems like it wasn't that long ago that you booked it, but at the time you booked it December seemed so far away. Now, the clock is literally ticking and you don't have much time left before it's time to head to Anaheim!

You mentioned the men folk liking the Peppermint Stick Ice cream.

Here's an interesting bit of info: recently PHXscuba spotted the new Dreyer's Peppermint Wonderland ice cream in her store in Arizona (it would be called Edy's in certain other states, like probably where you live, TK). She posted a photo of what it looks like in this thread. The carton did not say "Slow Churned" (which means half the fat, which means half the flavor), so we were/are to assume it is the full-fat kind.

Since that time (sometimes last week), I looked on the Dreyer's Facebook page. Dreyer's told one person who posted a comment that the only Peppermint flavor out this year is Slow Churned/half-fat!!!!!!!!!! In another post they said that there is no Grand flavor of peppermint this year, but that the Pumpkin ice cream has a full-fat/Grand variety as well as Slow Churned. They also posted a picture of Peppermint Wonderland...AND I THINK IT SAID SLOW CHURNED ON THE CARTON (unless I imagined it)!!!!!

This was very alarming to me. It makes me wonder if Dreyer's sneakily released cartons of ice cream to certain states without Slow Churned printed on them, so that the people will think the ice cream is full fat? Or, another possibility is that Dreyer's got confused on Facebook and didn't realize that Peppermint Wonderland has both full-fat and Slow Churned varieties?

Either way, the one that I just saw in my local CVS was...Slow Churned! I don't want that kind! I want the real stuff, the stuff that has flavor! Why would they release a carton without Slow Churned printed on it in Arizona, but not here in L.A.??

And...which variety will Disneyland have? Will DLR carry the full fat Wonderland flavor...or the inferior Slow Churned?

I did see that Deej posted. Made me want to post a lamp post picture but it wasn't that week. Good to have her back on the thread.

I'm with you about the ice cream. If I'm going to indulge I want the GOOD stuff. No ice milk for me.

Yes tick tock! I'm planning on doing the F! Dessert package this time. We've never seen F! at DL. Of course we've never seen BVS or Cars Land either. WAHOO

As a conisseur (sp?) of peppermint ice cream, I can tell you that the version I am currently eating is definitely full-fat -- I've had both. And I just checked the carton -- no "reduced fat" anywhere on it and it definitely says Grand. It has 7g of fat. So I'm guessing the Dreyer's FB page is the equivalent of calling Disneyland and getting an uninformed CM ... or the Parks Blog.

PHXscuba

It was very nice of you to go and have a bit more to report back I'll have to see what is in the Freezer here in Michigan.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Yes tick tock! I'm planning on doing the F! Dessert package this time. We've never seen F! at DL. Of course we've never seen BVS or Cars Land either. WAHOO

That is awesome news TK that you will be doing the F! dessert package during your trip in December. You will like the dessert box and the seats are nice.

 

[Orbitron]

I only have one picture with Christmas merchandise, here it is!

 

[piratenightmares]

piratenightmares --

Fantasmic will definitely happen on Fridays and weekends unless weather prevents it from happening. It will start even earlier in the week than that at some point in December. I recall F! beginning on a Thursday night in the first week of December 2 years ago.

If there had been a hard ticket Christmas party this year, that would have likely impacted the F! schedule because I am guessing that one of the party nights would be a Friday. Thankfully, there won't be a party in 2013 to hold a bunch of other entertainment hostage. Next year...I'm not so sure.

Yeah, last year Fantasmic! in December was substantially fewer than the previous year. It was on Wed-Thur-Fri for part of Dec 2011 and then just Friday Dec 2012, so I was worried maybe it was going even less this December.

I really hope they don't do a hard ticket Christmas party next year, or ever. The Halloween party is great if you buy a ticket but it interfered with our trip in various ways last October (including WAY too many people who left DL and went over to DCA creating the highest number of people I've EVER seen at DCA). I've NEVER had to wait an hour in the food line there before. Another problem with the ticketed party last October was I planned my trip in January and had no idea when these Halloween parties would take place. I wanted to stay late on Friday but didn't buy the party ticket...so...that cut into my time I thought I was paying for when I bought my tickets in the first place.

Last October Mon-Fri starting on (I believe) the 15th - NO FANTASMIC! Boo! Hiss! Same with the following week. It was only Sat/Sun.

Anyway I will be very happy if I can have Fantasmic! Fridays in December. And at least (as I understand) the cast party won't be causing those early nights at the beginning of December anymore, correct?

 

[Sherry E]

I now want to go to the store to look for Peppermint ice cream! I want the real thing or nothing. DH bought a generic (not Dreyers) one year, and while the thought was very sweet, it was not the same!

Jamie --

To me it seems Dreyer's is pulling a bit of trickery in sending the cartons that say Slow Churned on them (and they also say half the fat or whatever) to California, but sending the cartons that don't say Slow Churned to Arizona (and probably elsewhere). I'm not sure why they do that but there must be a marketing reason.

Last year the only place I could find "the good stuff" was at Disneyland! They had the real thing, not the Slow Churned/impostor ice cream.

And why do we get the "Grand" (full fat -- or "fast churned," as one person on Facebook referred to it) Pumpkin flavor, as well as the Slow Churned Pumpkin? Two choices of Pumpkin ice cream, but only one Peppermint!

It is possible that Dreyer's could have improved the flavor of the Slow Churned Peppermint since last year, but knowing that it hasn't been as tasty as the 'regular' stuff in the past I am hesitant to try it again. Now that I know that 2 of my stores (CVS and Ralphs) only have the Slow Churned, I think it will probably be pointless for me to check Vons, Walgreens, Rite Aid and Target.

I did see that Deej posted. Made me want to post a lamp post picture but it wasn't that week. Good to have her back on the thread.

I'm with you about the ice cream. If I'm going to indulge I want the GOOD stuff. No ice milk for me.

Yes tick tock! I'm planning on doing the F! Dessert package this time. We've never seen F! at DL. Of course we've never seen BVS or Cars Land either. WAHOO

TK -

Deej hadn't even been in this specific, new & improved thread until last week -- that was her first appearance here. She had appeared in the previous Superthread at one point. I was surprised to see her and am glad she posted because she has some great Frontierland pictures.

Speaking of which -- thanks for reminding me! I have to resurrect my Let There Be Light thread in the DL Community forum because I have some new light fixture photos to post from my recent Halloween Time visit!


You've got a lot of fun things to experience on this upcoming holiday trip. You were already a 'holidays at DLR' fan, but now it is that much better because DCA finally feels like it's part of the celebration -- even in areas like the Paradise Pier section of DCA, it will feel more involved in the season (especially with the new Winter Dreams).

I only have one picture with Christmas merchandise, here it is!

Orbitron --

Did you see that merchandise on your Halloween Time trip to Disneyland? I know that some bits of holiday merchandise come out pretty early (which is why some of it is sold out by the time the season even starts!).

Another entry into the random draw!

Yeah, last year Fantasmic! in December was substantially fewer than the previous year. It was on Wed-Thur-Fri for part of Dec 2011 and then just Friday Dec 2012, so I was worried maybe it was going even less this December.

I really hope they don't do a hard ticket Christmas party next year, or ever. The Halloween party is great if you buy a ticket but it interfered with our trip in various ways last October (including WAY too many people who left DL and went over to DCA creating the highest number of people I've EVER seen at DCA). I've NEVER had to wait an hour in the food line there before. Another problem with the ticketed party last October was I planned my trip in January and had no idea when these Halloween parties would take place. I wanted to stay late on Friday but didn't buy the party ticket...so...that cut into my time I thought I was paying for when I bought my tickets in the first place.

Last October Mon-Fri starting on (I believe) the 15th - NO FANTASMIC! Boo! Hiss! Same with the following week. It was only Sat/Sun.

Anyway I will be very happy if I can have Fantasmic! Fridays in December. And at least (as I understand) the cast party won't be causing those early nights at the beginning of December anymore, correct?

piratenightmares --

I'm inclined to think that some of last year's entertainment schedules were slightly affected by the 20-night Candlelight Ceremony in December, even if it wasn't made apparent. Maybe Disney just didn't want to have the Candlelight Ceremony and F! and the parade and the fireworks on some nights. I can't be sure that's the reason, but it's a possibility (or maybe it was a budget thing since they had to pay so many more narrators to narrate the Ceremony!).

This year, since the Candlelight Ceremony is only taking place on 12/7 and 12/8, I am thinking that F! should go back to more of the schedule it had in 2011. Fridays would always be on the schedule, though -- unless there is some sort of weather situation, early park closure or closure for maintenance/refurbishment.

The Cast Member parties disappeared...so far (which is sad for them). I think that there is a Cast Member event happening on one night during Halloween Time this year, so I don't know if that means the Christmas party will resume, or of the Halloween thing is taking the place of the Christmas thing.

I agree about the hard ticket party -- I think it works for WDW because it has been in effect for so long there and people expect it. But Disneyland has been doing things a certain way that works for DLR for so long, with certain schedules and events, and to suddenly throw a party into the mix would be a nuisance (especially since it seems that the parties wouldn't even be non-crowded -- the Halloween parties are too crowded for "exclusive" events). I think they'd have a better shot of holding the party in DCA than in DL, but either way it would be a pain.

Because we only have one other park to go to for the people who would choose not to buy Christmas party tickets, I think that DCA would be extremely crowded again (like it was during your October trip). That's one major reason why a multi-night party is easier to pull off at WDW -- there are simply more places to go, and more choices of what to do.

 

[pattyduke34]

I could only find one for this weeks theme??? Now I know I need to take more pictures this year! I guess 1200 was not enough last year!

 

[deejdigsdis]

deejdigsdis, those colorized photos with the poinsettias are just gorgeous

Thank you! I love that pop of red.

deejdigsdis.....

Great photos, but especially the one of Santa!

Love it!!!!!

Thanks! It was fun to see him come out unexpectedly.

deej[/B]!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I don't think you have posted in this 'new and improved' Superthread since I started it at the end of last year. I'm glad you got in for at least one of the Theme Weeks, and I am especially glad you got in to Frontierland/Jingle Jangle Jamboree/Round-Up week because I remembered that you had a lot of Frontierland photos (even outside of the Round-Up). I had you in mind when I decided on this theme, but I figured you were avoiding the Superthread because there are no holiday trips in the works just yet.

I don't think I have, either. My moments on the DIS are few and far between these days. I was glad that I happened upon the countdown when I did. I love Frontierland at Christmas time.

Anyway, I'm so glad you popped in. Also, by posting your photos for this week's theme you got your first entry into the random draw to win a $25 Disney gift card (the winner will be selected in November). Everyone who posts photos gets an entry for each Theme Week to which she/he contributes, and then I toss all of the entries from all of the weeks into a box or a bowl, shake them up, reach my hand in and pick a winner! (We started this Countdown in early August, so we have had quite a lot of entries so far.)

I have a separate code word challenge going for all of the people who don't post photos (which is what Cheshirecatty is participating in), and that will earn a second person a $25 Disney gift card.

There will be a new theme in 2 days (9/30), so stay tuned!

What a great idea -- the drawing/challenge! And the countdown started in early August? I would like to go back and look at the other theme weeks. The one for this week looks fun. I hope you will give a shout-out to the Peppermint Cone of Death. Maybe you already did. I just scrolled through quickly before replying.

By the way, I don't know if you're aware -- when I'm mikey started the current Picture of the Day thread, I re-posted one of your photos in it. You had posted the photo at the end (last page) of the previous POTD thread and it got lost in the shuffle. A lot of people didn't see it, and I wanted to be sure it didn't get overlooked. I re-posted it in the new thread so it would be seen (it was the B&W photo at the mailbox, with the postcard). I was talking about how it was a great photo because it tells a story, it evokes a certain feeling, etc. I have no clue what page of the current POTD thread it's on, but it's probably somewhere in the first 5 or 10 pages of the thread because it was not long after the thread was started that I posted it. If I recall, DIS'er Evad had some very complimentary things to say about your photo as well.

Thanks for letting me know. I love that picture. I haven't checked in on that thread in months and months.

TK and Bret! Is this a DLR year or a WDW year for the holiday trips?

 

[deejdigsdis]

Thought I better post a couple of pics while I'm here!







That funnel cake was the best! Much better than the Holiday Brownie.

 

[Sherry E]

pattyduke34 and deej -- You have each earned another entry into the random draw.

deej -- Just in case TK and Bret don't see your post for a while (sometimes they disappear for a few days at a time), I will give you a hint -- Bret is going to DLR in both November and December, while TK is going to DLR in December.

You definitely had not posted in this specific thread until last week. I know for a fact that you didn't. If you'll notice, I have your TR listed on the "re-imagined" Page 1 (scroll down the posts on Page 1 to get to the TR section).

We're in our 9th Theme Week right now (a new one will start on Monday). The first Theme Week for 2013 started on Page 62 and has carried on from there up to now. The people who participate in the code word challenge cannot get separate entries for photos they may post, and the people who post photos and get entries into the contest cannot get entries for playing along with the code word challenge. It's basically an either/or sort of situation -- but the people who post photos get a guaranteed entry into the random draw for every theme week to which they contribute.

Also, if you have missed themes (and you have missed 7 of them!), those photos have to be saved for the final Holiday Cornucopia theme on November 4th. In other words, no one can post a theme we have already covered now, in the middle of another theme. The Cornucopia theme can also include photos from WDW holiday trips, international Disney holiday trips, regular non-Disney holiday trips, your favorite photos of the ones you've already posted, etc.

The new Hallmark Channel Countdown to Christmas 2-month marathon begins in 31 days!

 

[piratenightmares]

piratenightmares --

I'm inclined to think that some of last year's entertainment schedules were slightly affected by the 20-night Candlelight Ceremony in December, even if it wasn't made apparent. Maybe Disney just didn't want to have the Candlelight Ceremony and F! and the parade and the fireworks on some nights. I can't be sure that's the reason, but it's a possibility (or maybe it was a budget thing since they had to pay so many more narrators to narrate the Ceremony!).

This year, since the Candlelight Ceremony is only taking place on 12/7 and 12/8, I am thinking that F! should go back to more of the schedule it had in 2011. Fridays would always be on the schedule, though -- unless there is some sort of weather situation, early park closure or closure for maintenance/refurbishment.

The Cast Member parties disappeared...so far (which is sad for them). I think that there is a Cast Member event happening on one night during Halloween Time this year, so I don't know if that means the Christmas party will resume, or of the Halloween thing is taking the place of the Christmas thing.

I agree about the hard ticket party -- I think it works for WDW because it has been in effect for so long there and people expect it. But Disneyland has been doing things a certain way that works for DLR for so long, with certain schedules and events, and to suddenly throw a party into the mix would be a nuisance (especially since it seems that the parties wouldn't even be non-crowded -- the Halloween parties are too crowded for "exclusive" events). I think they'd have a better shot of holding the party in DCA than in DL, but either way it would be a pain.

Because we only have one other park to go to for the people who would choose not to buy Christmas party tickets, I think that DCA would be extremely crowded again (like it was during your October trip). That's one major reason why a multi-night party is easier to pull off at WDW -- there are simply more places to go, and more choices of what to do.

I hadn't figured Candlelight would cut into Fantasmic! but you're probably right about that.

My bright idea: They could have a ticketed Christmas party @ Downtown Disney instead of either park. They could make a LOT of money because people who don't want to pay the admission fee for the park could still go to the party. It wouldn't cut into any events and they could have all new stuff for the regulars who wouldn't want to pay for the stuff they've seen every December for years now. It would be very easy to manage entry there. IF they were to do a ticketed Christmas party at all I think that would be the way to do it. I think they would make more money that way AND not interfere with the park schedules. Stores at Downtown Disney would benefit as well. Disney could have something special for the people who were coming direct from DL (for example: people entering via monorail get special wristbands which get them more perks) and everyone would be happy. (They seriously should hire me as an event planner - it's what I do.)

At any rate: Yay! Back to more Fantasmic! options.

 

[Sherry E]

I hadn't figured Candlelight would cut into Fantasmic! but you're probably right about that.

My bright idea: They could have a ticketed Christmas party @ Downtown Disney instead of either park. They could make a LOT of money because people who don't want to pay the admission fee for the park could still go to the party. It wouldn't cut into any events and they could have all new stuff for the regulars who wouldn't want to pay for the stuff they've seen every December for years now. It would be very easy to manage entry there. IF they were to do a ticketed Christmas party at all I think that would be the way to do it. I think they would make more money that way AND not interfere with the park schedules. Stores at Downtown Disney would benefit as well. Disney could have something special for the people who were coming direct from DL (for example: people entering via monorail get special wristbands which get them more perks) and everyone would be happy. (They seriously should hire me as an event planner - it's what I do.)

At any rate: Yay! Back to more Fantasmic! options.

piratenightmares --

That's not a bad idea -- and it's the first time I've heard it! I hadn't thought of using Downtown Disney as a party location. It would have to be a different kind of party -- they couldn't use some sort of show (fireworks, parade) or exclusive access to rides as a selling point -- so they'd have to find something that people would be willing to pay for in DTD, which I'm sure they could do.

I've always said that I think that Disney should put together a little Christmas market/village like what happens in European countries, with all sorts of different stands and kiosks selling special (unique) holiday foods, drinks and knick-knacks. Last year Disney made a pitiful attempt at a "Christmas Village" with the 2 or 3 stands that were set up near the ice rink, but it was hardly very village-y at all.

Even though having a party in DCA would still interrupt park hours and send all of the non-party goers crowding into Disneyland, I still think that at least the matter of "exclusive entertainment" could be tackled better in DCA. Since Winter Dreams will debut this year, if it is a hit Disney could do what they did with Halloween Screams after 2009 and make Winter Dreams a party exclusive next year. Then, they can add in the long-rumored holiday TSMM overlay and have it snow on Cars Land or something, with Mad T Party providing music, and there's the party!

That way, no one would have to deal with the 'you mean I have to pay over $60 to get into a party in Disneyland so that I can see the same holiday parade that has been there for 20 years?' syndrome!! At least Winter Dreams will not have become a "tradition" for people yet, if the party were to begin next year.

The biggest problem, though, is just the lack of other options for people if they don't want to do the party. They either have to deal with a very packed park across the Esplanade, or they have to meander around DTD or into one of 3 hotels (and the GCH lobby is getting increasingly crowded each holiday season). Even if WDW didn't have 4 parks to choose from, they still have a whole bunch of other hotels -- all with fun Christmas decor. There are just many more places for people to go.

But I am intrigued by the idea of some sort of party in Downtown Disney. I think you're right -- as long as they could put the right things into a DTD party to sell it, they could get a lot of money from park guests and non-park guests.

 

[piratenightmares]

piratenightmares --

That's not a bad idea -- and it's the first time I've heard it! I hadn't thought of using Downtown Disney as a party location. It would have to be a different kind of party -- they couldn't use some sort of show (fireworks, parade) or exclusive access to rides as a selling point -- so they'd have to find something that people would be willing to pay for in DTD, which I'm sure they could do.

I've always said that I think that Disney should put together a little Christmas market/village like what happens in European countries, with all sorts of different stands and kiosks selling special (unique) holiday foods, drinks and knick-knacks. Last year Disney made a pitiful attempt at a "Christmas Village" with the 2 or 3 stands that were set up near the ice rink, but it was hardly very village-y at all.

Even though having a party in DCA would still interrupt park hours and send all of the non-party goers crowding into Disneyland, I still think that at least the matter of "exclusive entertainment" could be tackled better in DCA. Since Winter Dreams will debut this year, if it is a hit Disney could do what they did with Halloween Screams after 2009 and make Winter Dreams a party exclusive next year. Then, they can add in the long-rumored holiday TSMM overlay and have it snow on Cars Land or something, with Mad T Party providing music, and there's the party!

That way, no one would have to deal with the 'you mean I have to pay over $60 to get into a party in Disneyland so that I can see the same holiday parade that has been there for 20 years?' syndrome!! At least Winter Dreams will not have become a "tradition" for people yet, if the party were to begin next year.

The biggest problem, though, is just the lack of other options for people if they don't want to do the party. They either have to deal with a very packed park across the Esplanade, or they have to meander around DTD or into one of 3 hotels (and the GCH lobby is getting increasingly crowded each holiday season). Even if WDW didn't have 4 parks to choose from, they still have a whole bunch of other hotels -- all with fun Christmas decor. There are just many more places for people to go.

But I am intrigued by the idea of some sort of party in Downtown Disney. I think you're right -- as long as they could put the right things into a DTD party to sell it, they could get a lot of money from park guests and non-park guests.

All we need to do is convince them to hire me. There's a lot they could do for selling points. A different kind of parade, perhaps. Something new. Something they haven't done before. Various entertainment. I think it would work perfectly. And old world theme is a good idea. There's a lot they could do with that.

I totally agree with you DCA is a much more reasonable place for a ticketed Christmas party if they were to do one in the park/s. It would also help if they didn't sell THAT many tickets because it's much too crowded and no longer has any REAL perks (in my opinion). I'd rather skip the massive sell-out party going crowd completely. I'll go back to my room next time. If I am ever at DL again when it 'closes early' for a party I will not be going to DCA.

Anyway, I'd be happy to assist them in the planning of a Downtown Disney Holiday party for 2014. LOL!

 

[tksbaskets]

TK and Bret! Is this a DLR year or a WDW year for the holiday trips?

SO fun to see you posting here and sharing your pictures. WHERE (drool) did you get the funnel cake with ice cream sundae on top?? Because as Sherry mentioned we'll be in DL this year!! Donald and Grumpy (DS1&2) graduate from college 12/14 and we leave for DL 12/15! DH retired this past summer after 33 years of teaching so we don't need to go during school breaks anymore. That deserves a

Work just asked today if I wanted to go to a conference in Anahiem Nov 16-19 at the convention center. Alas my DH will be out of town and with the boys off in college no one to watch our furry family members. I think if I saw Cars Land and BVS before the rest of my family I'd never live it down....it was bad enough when I took the lovely October day trip a couple of years ago and saw WOC before they did. They still bring it up....

Tempting though...my late afternoons and evenings would be free...got to let them know by Friday.

 

[Phoenixrising]

I wish I could say that our 58 GMC pick up and our 52 Chevy firetruck are going to be in a Disney movie, but sadly that's not to be. However, they are filming the latest in the Fairly Odd Parents movie up here in the great white north, and while the 58 is being used as a prop they've had DH drive the fire truck up and down the street in the background of their filming today. There's a person that works for the film industry we know of through our various vintage vehicle clubs we belong to. This is the first time we've had our vintage vehicles used in the movies, and with the good experience we've had, we don't mind them being used again by the movie industry in the future. Now that the trips are less than 2 months away, am really starting to get excited about both trips.

 

[mvf-m11c]

TK and Bret! Is this a DLR year or a WDW year for the holiday trips?

Hi Deej,

It has been awhile since we have seen you on the threads. This might be the year for the DLR for the Holiday season if there is a paid party (like MVMCP at the MK) next year at DL & the debut of World of Color - Winter Dreams (which I am looking forward to the most). Unless there is something new at WDW during the Holiday season this year, it will be the DLR. For WDW, I would wait next year in 2014 with the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train to be open which will make it exciting to go to.

deej -- Just in case TK and Bret don't see your post for a while (sometimes they disappear for a few days at a time), I will give you a hint -- Bret is going to DLR in both November and December, while TK is going to DLR in December.

Just as Sherry said that I will be down in SoCal in November and December while I am taking both my aunts, family members and friends. This will be another great Holiday season at the DLR.

Work just asked today if I wanted to go to a conference in Anahiem Nov 16-19 at the convention center. Alas my DH will be out of town and with the boys off in college no one to watch our furry family members. I think if I saw Cars Land and BVS before the rest of my family I'd never live it down....it was bad enough when I took the lovely October day trip a couple of years ago and saw WOC before they did. They still bring it up....

Tempting though...my late afternoons and evenings would be free...got to let them know by Friday.

That is great news to hear TK. I am hoping that you will be able to go to the conference in November and be able to get a glimpse of the Christmas decorations and see the new World of Color - Winter Dreams show. I understand that it is a hard decision to go without the family and it is a great opportunity to visit the parks.

 

[PHXscuba]

phx --

i remember that last year, your store had the carton without slow churned mentioned on it. My stores -- every single store i checked -- only seemed to have slow churned, and it was not the good kind. I know my peppermint ice cream and that was not the good stuff!

This year, your carton doesn't say slow churned...but my cvs store only has slow churned (i saw it).

Plus, i just called my closest ralphs in the last few minutes and asked them to check what they have (because i haven't looked there myself yet). They only have slow churned peppermint, but they have the full fat and slow churned pumpkin (which is exactly what happened last year). They put me on hold to go check the ice cream aisle just to be sure!

So i'm not sure why you get different packages in your area from what i get here in l.a., but it seems to be the second year in a row it is happening.

I have no good answer as to why your area isn't getting the good stuff. California hasn't gone quite as crazy as NYC in playing Big Brother over what you can eat/drink! I know I saw the regular peppermint in multiple chains of stores last year -- some national retailer has to be thinking, "I bet people would like this in California too."

I will probably finish the carton I have with help from the kids, but not buy more until December. One year I overbought and was sick of it before Christmas, which was horrid!

The season is still young -- there is still hope! But the fall stuff is starting to be pushed out at the craft stores already. I was at Hobby Lobby today to use some birthday money to buy a fall pumpkin-carriage-like decoration I spotted a few weeks ago -- gone! I may try one more Hobby Lobby before I am officially sad.

OK, I have treat pictures to post next.

PHXscuba

 

[PHXscuba]

Goodies!!

... all from Dec 2010

The last one is a picture comparing the one I bought at Marceline's (also in second photo) to the one given on the Holiday Tour.

Apologies for the crazy sizing -- they were all exported and uploaded at different times!

PHXscuba

 

[Sherry E]

This time, instead of posting Treats & Treasures in the same installment (as I did when I started the theme 3 days ago), I will do an all-treats post, with more merchandise pics to come later:

December 2012


Peppermint bark...

November 2012


Marceline's Confectionery goodies...

Haagen Dazs holiday goodies advertisement (I had the Peppermint Bark Dazzler in December 2012)…

Ghirardelli’s Free Peppermint Bark Samples – Yum! Stop by and pick one up...

Peppermint Stick ice cream from Gibson Girl (you saw the holiday cone earlier, but the cup works too!)…

Cupcakes…

December 2011


Gummy Candy...

Christmas candy corn...

December 2010

Peppermint ice cream in chocolate/candy cane-encrusted cone -- this is the "Peppermint Cone of Death" I wrote about in my former Trip Report thread...

November 2010

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More Treats & Treasures pictures coming up!!!

 

[Sherry E]

Continued from previous post -- More Treats!

December 2011



Apples & other treats...

Cookies...

Frosted Pretzels...

(from 9/2011 -- sold throughout the holidays)

December 2010

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Now that you've seen many of the Treats, a bit later on I will delve more into the "Treasures" part of this Theme Week with a whole lotta merchandise pictures!

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

I am going to have to get that Peppermint Bark Drizzler from Ghirardelli! Even though I feel like somewhat of a Disneyland pro, every one of these themes had made more excited for our upcoming trip and all of things I've missed along the way!