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

[crystal1313]

Sherry! Ive been following! I just didn't have any photos of the last couple of themes! Lol.

 

[farmfresh]

You're correct -- Billy Hill & the Hillbillies moved out of the Golden Horseshoe for Halloween Time and for the holiday season and relocated to the Halloween Carnival and the Jingle Jangle Jamboree, respectively. They play theme-appropriate songs for each season. They play holiday tunes for the holidays and they were playing "Devil Went Down to Georgia" when I saw them last month at the start of Halloween Time.

Thanks! Now we know where to find them this Christmas!

 

[jacs1234]

 

[tksbaskets]

Kathy --

Hopefully pattyduke34 will pop in soon to give you a better answer about the mini photo shoots, but from all that I've heard it seems that when the PP photographers notice that a guest is a PhotoPass+ user, they take extra time and pay extra attention by way of taking more photos and doing fun things -- even more so than just the non-Plus PhotoPass people who use the regular PhotoPass service.

Sorry about messing up Sherry's quote

I have pre-purchased a PPP card for this trip! I am loving the pictures this week, of course I say that every week.

2009

Obviously I didn't pay for the PP card that year yet purchased one jpg.

2011/2012
'Free' Disney Visa exclusive PP shoot at DCA

Blinded by the beautiful CA sun:

Hanging with our fav Pixar characters:

OK, I like to add borders

Loved this PP and the interaction between Jack and my son trying to get him to look scarey!

Over at Paradise Pier: Where were DH and I looking?

Obviously I did purchase the PP CD this year!

 

[mom2rtk]

OK, I'm loving seeing the characters decked out for the holidays. TKSbaskets..... where did you get the photos with Mickey in his Santa suit? I see those photos are from 2011. Does anyone know if he appeared like that last year?

Mostly, I think I'm afraid I'm going to miss some of the characters I really want to see. Does anyone have good advice for when and where to find the most characters? At DLR it seems more hit or miss. At WDW there's an app you can use to get pretty reliable character data. Is there anything for DLR like that?

For example, on our last DLR trip in 2010, we met Minnie in her pilot suit in DCA. I thought that was awesome, but it was totally random. We just happened to be in the right place at the right time. Sure, it was fun to just stumble across her, but it frustrates me to think there might be cool character ops I might completely miss because I wasn't in the right place at the right time.

 

[Halloweenqueen]

OK, I'm loving seeing the characters decked out for the holidays. TKSbaskets..... where did you get the photos with Mickey in his Santa suit? I see those photos are from 2011. Does anyone know if he appeared like that last year? Mostly, I think I'm afraid I'm going to miss some of the characters I really want to see. Does anyone have good advice for when and where to find the most characters? At DLR it seems more hit or miss. At WDW there's an app you can use to get pretty reliable character data. Is there anything for DLR like that? For example, on our last DLR trip in 2010, we met Minnie in her pilot suit in DCA. I thought that was awesome, but it was totally random. We just happened to be in the right place at the right time. Sure, it was fun to just stumble across her, but it frustrates me to think there might be cool character ops I might completely miss because I wasn't in the right place at the right time.

We visited with Santa Mickey across the bridge towards Paradise Pier. Looks like the same location in the photos!

 

[tksbaskets]

OK, I'm loving seeing the characters decked out for the holidays. TKSbaskets..... where did you get the photos with Mickey in his Santa suit? I see those photos are from 2011. Does anyone know if he appeared like that last year?

Mostly, I think I'm afraid I'm going to miss some of the characters I really want to see. Does anyone have good advice for when and where to find the most characters? At DLR it seems more hit or miss. At WDW there's an app you can use to get pretty reliable character data. Is there anything for DLR like that?

For example, on our last DLR trip in 2010, we met Minnie in her pilot suit in DCA. I thought that was awesome, but it was totally random. We just happened to be in the right place at the right time. Sure, it was fun to just stumble across her, but it frustrates me to think there might be cool character ops I might completely miss because I wasn't in the right place at the right time.

We visited with Santa Mickey across the bridge towards Paradise Pier. Looks like the same location in the photos!

Indeed! Paradise Pier. As for where to find the characters some are predictable - Woody, Buzz, and Jessie hung out by Toy Story Midway Mania (as do we!) Mickey was at the gazebo on PP. Jack and Sally from NBC were by the Haunted Mansion. Others are hit and miss.

TK

 

[mom2rtk]

Indeed! Paradise Pier. As for where to find the characters some are predictable - Woody, Buzz, and Jessie hung out by Toy Story Midway Mania (as do we!) Mickey was at the gazebo on PP. Jack and Sally from NBC were by the Haunted Mansion. Others are hit and miss.

TK

I'm so excited! At the MK the characters only appear in holiday attire at the Christmas party. We had to bail on Mickey in his top hat at the Christmas party in 08, then ever since then he has only appeared in a very boring green suit. I wait every year for the photo of how Mickey will be appearing at the party. The people on the Christmas party threads have finally started to expect my disappointment at his attire I think! Mickey in his Santa suit would just be AWESOME! I'm definitely packing our Santa hats for that one!

I guess I didn't realize Jack and Sally stayed out past Halloween. That's a big bonus too! Is their line crazy? They just added them to the Halloween party at the MK and boy their line is nuts.

 

[Sherry E]

I'm so excited! At the MK the characters only appear in holiday attire at the Christmas party. We had to bail on Mickey in his top hat at the Christmas party in 08, then ever since then he has only appeared in a very boring green suit. I wait every year for the photo of how Mickey will be appearing at the party. The people on the Christmas party threads have finally started to expect my disappointment at his attire I think! Mickey in his Santa suit would just be AWESOME! I'm definitely packing our Santa hats for that one!

I guess I didn't realize Jack and Sally stayed out past Halloween. That's a big bonus too! Is their line crazy? They just added them to the Halloween party at the MK and boy their line is nuts.

Janet -

It's about time you popped in for this Theme Week! I mentioned you in one of my posts on the last page or two, because I was wondering if you were out there (since I knew that you were interested in character photos - I remember these things).

Jack and Sally (or Jack without Sally) are out in the holiday season too, and their line is usually pretty long. When I have seen them it has been in the early afternoon.

I don't think that Santa Mickey is in that gazebo spot on Paradise Pier all the time. Sometimes it's a different character. Duffy's photo spot is nearby on the Pier as well.

And from my intro post to this week's theme:

...Often times you can find these furry, playful friends around Main Street or in Toontown. Occasionally they will appear in their seasonal outfits at character meals (more recently at Minnie and Friends). And you are sure to find at least a couple of characters (including Santa Goofy) at the Jingle Jangle Jamboree in Frontierland.

So...in addition to seeing characters in Town Square (that's a common spot), in Toontown (sometimes they might be there, sometimes they might not be) and at the Jingle Jangle Jamboree (Santa Goofy + characters wearing holiday outfits), Pooh and friends also have a photo spot in Critter Country, and they are usually wearing Santa hats or Winter scarves. On Buena Vista Street you will find characters in more vintage-ish attire, such as Mickey and Minnie. Pluto wears a Christmas sock-stocking sort of thing.

I've also seen non-holiday characters (like Peter Pan) in assorted spots in Fantasyland and out in front of the Mickey floral at the entrance to DL,

 

[mom2rtk]

Janet -

It's about time you popped in for this Theme Week! I mentioned you in one of my posts on the last page or two, because I was wondering if you were out there (since I knew that you were interested in character photos - I remember these things).

Jack and Sally (or Jack without Sally) are out in the holiday season too, and their line is usually pretty long. When I have seen them it has been in the early afternoon.

I don't think that Santa Mickey is in that gazebo spot on Paradise Pier all the time. Sometimes it's a different character. Duffy's photo spot is nearby on the Pier as well.

And from my intro post to this week's theme:



So...in addition to seeing characters in Town Square (that's a common spot), in Toontown (sometimes they might be there, sometimes they might not be) and at the Jingle Jangle Jamboree (Santa Goofy + characters wearing holiday outfits), Pooh and friends also have a photo spot in Critter Country, and they are usually wearing Santa hats or Winter scarves. On Buena Vista Street you will find characters in more vintage-ish attire, such as Mickey and Minnie. Pluto wears a Christmas sock-stocking sort of thing).

I've also seen non-holiday characters (like Peter Pan) in assorted spots in Fantasyland and out in front of the Mickey floral at the entrance to DL,

LOL, I've been busier than a costume maker in October! Plus my son came home for the weekend and I had to make the 7 hour round trip to take him back Monday. I'm finally playing a little bit of catch-up and was so happy to find this was character week!

Of course, now it's all sounding a little more hit or miss than I really like. Do they put the times in the park guide for the day? Or is that just certain regulars?

I really would love to find Santa Mickey. We did get photos with Mickey and Minnie in their holiday sweaters the last couple of years at Animal Kingdom. That is the only place at WDW the characters have any hint of holiday attire outside the Christmas party (where Mickey is in his ugly green suit). So as the holiday season gets under way, I'd sure love to hear reports from everyone one whether they find Mickey in his Santa suit what time of day that is.

 

[Sherry E]

jacs1234 and tksbaskets each have one more entry into the random draw!

Sherry! Ive been following! I just didn't have any photos of the last couple of themes! Lol.

crystal1313 --

You didn't have any photos from the Jingle Jangle Jamboree (or the Reindeer Round-Up)? I'm surprised! Well, when we get to the daily themes (starting Tuesday, 10/29) I know there is at least one daily theme to which you will be able to contribute, BUT the photos will have to be posted on the specific day the theme goes up. So keep a close eye on the thread!

Thanks! Now we know where to find them this Christmas!

farmfresh -

You're welcome! Yep. That's where Billy Hill & the Hillbillies are. I mentioned them in the Jingle Jangle Jamboree/Frontierland Theme Week intro post, and I included a photo of the schedule at the Round-Up, with their performance times - http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=49643674&postcount=1681

LOL, I've been busier than a costume maker in October! Plus my son came home for the weekend and I had to make the 7 hour round trip to take him back Monday. I'm finally playing a little bit of catch-up and was so happy to find this was character week!

Of course, now it's all sounding a little more hit or miss than I really like. Do they put the times in the park guide for the day? Or is that just certain regulars?

I really would love to find Santa Mickey. We did get photos with Mickey and Minnie in their holiday sweaters the last couple of years at Animal Kingdom. That is the only place at WDW the characters have any hint of holiday attire outside the Christmas party (where Mickey is in his ugly green suit). So as the holiday season gets under way, I'd sure love to hear reports from everyone one whether they find Mickey in his Santa suit what time of day that is.

Janet --

Costume makers...busy in October...at Halloween time? No! I refuse to believe it! That's like saying that Santa is busy on Christmas Eve!

I thought you'd get a hoot out of Character--PhotoPass--Santa Claus Theme Week. Often times people have PhotoPass pictures that don't involve characters or Santa, or character/Santa photos that are not PhotoPass, but a lot of the character and Santa photos are PhotoPass. This way, we get all the character/Santa photos and all the PhotoPass pictures too!

Reading what you tell us about the WDW holiday festivities, I can say that one more reason I am glad we are not having a Christmas party at DLR (yet) is that I'm afraid the holiday sweater-wearing characters will be held hostage to the party along with the parade and fireworks! If there was a party in DL, I'm afraid that we suddenly see a big cutback in holiday attire-clad characters in the park outside of party hours. Next thing we know, Mickey shows up in an ugly green suit...

I think that you can still find out from City Hall on Main Street which characters are supposed to be in which locations at which times, but the list is not always complete or entirely accurate. A lot of characters are left off of the list, and sometimes the times are not exact.

I'm glad you got to see your son!

 

[Lucrezia]

Ooh, I love all these pictures! Man, I miss character photos. I haven't been able to take any because my youngest niece is terrified of them (though she claims she's only tentative, not afraid... what five-year-old uses the word tentative??!). Luckily I get to live vicariously through all you other character-loving DISers! Yay Sherry, your photos were so cute! I especially like the ones featuring the now-defunct Golden Gate Bridge with its snazzy holiday decorations... jeez, did DCA really use to look like that? I'm already forgetting Soon, we'll be close enough to our vacation to book the holiday tour. Can't wait!!

 

[Sherry E]

Ooh, I love all these pictures! Man, I miss character photos. I haven't been able to take any because my youngest niece is terrified of them (though she claims she's only tentative, not afraid... what five-year-old uses the word tentative??!). Luckily I get to live vicariously through all you other character-loving DISers! Yay Sherry, your photos were so cute! I especially like the ones featuring the now-defunct Golden Gate Bridge with its snazzy holiday decorations... jeez, did DCA really use to look like that? I'm already forgetting Soon, we'll be close enough to our vacation to book the holiday tour. Can't wait!!

Lucrezia --

I think that a very advanced 5-year-old uses the word "tentative"! That's so cute, though. Kids are so smart these days. Many of them speak like adults. Also, you said that you write (so I am guessing you're probably quite articulate and well-spoken) so maybe your niece picked up on some of your words. Or, it's in the genes!

I don't know when you will be back from your Halloween Time trip, and I don't want to give too much away, but we may, perhaps, maybe, possibly be seeing more of the now-defunct holiday things at DLR...sometime in the near future. Stay tuned!

Thank you for the compliment on the pictures! I like to be silly and get fun photos. Did you notice my red scarf and green sweater in the photo with Santa by the tree at the GCH? Yes, that's right. I was proudly wearing red and green (and it was 40 degrees outside) for Christmas!

At some point before this Theme Week ends, I am also going to post the PhotoPass picture in front of the nighttime Castle that everyone does not want to get. I posted the 'good' Castle picture, but what no one wants is the picture in front of the Castle when the icicle lights are off!

Yes, the holidays are coming up so quickly that you will be at the tour booking window very soon!


Weather update:

This is a sure sign that the temperatures have cooled down. I keep a bottle of water near me when I sleep, in case I get thirsty in the middle of the night. During the hot months I leave the window open and in the morning the water bottle feels almost warm, like slightly warmer than room temperature.

When the weather cools down, I can leave the window open overnight and bundle up under a blanket. In the morning, I check the water bottle and the bottle is cold! Not like ice cold, but colder than room temperature. So this morning my water bottle was cold! Wheeeeeee!!!!

 

[TinkLoverSam]

New announcement about holiday celebrations in DCA: http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/bl...ebration-to-disney-california-adventure-park/

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

New announcement about holiday celebrations in DCA: http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2013/10/disney-viva-navidad-brings-a-festive-celebration-to-disney-california-adventure-park/

Oh I love it! One more thing to look forward to

Sherry, I looked at our local Target today and they only have the slow churned peppermint ice cream I now have my mom on the lookout too!

 

[Sherry E]

New announcement about holiday celebrations in DCA: http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/bl...ebration-to-disney-california-adventure-park/

Thank you so much, TinkLoverSam, for letting us know! I really appreciate it.

I don't know if I would have checked the Parks Blog until tomorrow, so I'm glad you posted. I have been setting aside certain Blogs with recent info on Haunted Mansion Holiday to add to page 1 of the thread, so I will set this new blog aside as well.

I'm in the middle of cooking something, but will get back to reading the Blog as soon as I'm done.

Again. thank you so much for letting us know in this thread!

 

[Lucrezia]

Lucrezia --

I think that a very advanced 5-year-old uses the word "tentative"! That's so cute, though. Kids are so smart these days. Many of them speak like adults. Also, you said that you write (so I am guessing you're probably quite articulate and well-spoken) so maybe your niece picked up on some of your words. Or, it's in the genes!

I don't know when you will be back from your Halloween Time trip, and I don't want to give too much away, but we may, perhaps, maybe, possibly be seeing more of the now-defunct holiday things at DLR...sometime in the near future. Stay tuned!

Thank you for the compliment on the pictures! I like to be silly and get fun photos. Did you notice my red scarf and green sweater in the photo with Santa by the tree at the GCH? Yes, that's right. I was proudly wearing red and green (and it was 40 degrees outside) for Christmas!

At some point before this Theme Week ends, I am also going to post the PhotoPass picture in front of the nighttime Castle that everyone does not want to get. I posted the 'good' Castle picture, but what no one wants is the picture in front of the Castle when the icicle lights are off!

Yes, the holidays are coming up so quickly that you will be at the tour booking window very soon!


Weather update:

This is a sure sign that the temperatures have cooled down. I keep a bottle of water near me when I sleep, in case I get thirsty in the middle of the night. During the hot months I leave the window open and in the morning the water bottle feels almost warm, like slightly warmer than room temperature.

When the weather cools down, I can leave the window open overnight and bundle up under a blanket. In the morning, I check the water bottle and the bottle is cold! Not like ice cold, but colder than room temperature. So this morning my water bottle was cold! Wheeeeeee!!!!

Lol, yes, she's definitely advanced with her English skills. I guess it runs in the family---I'm a writer, my dad's a writer, my sister's a "dabbler," etc. Still, I know when I was five I wasn't using words like that (though I did use the word technically a lot, only I didn't know what it meant so I pretty badly misused it, as my mother will never let me forget)!Ooh, now you have me excited about seeing more done-away-with treasures!! I don't know why, but I find it fun to see old photos of DCA in its infantile faze. Especially right after it opened, with that big orange ride/thing/creature, the Golden Gate Bridge, the Paradise Pier ferris wheel sans the Mickey face, and all the other stuff they've taken away. It's amazing to see how the parks improve and evolve over the years. (And, since you said you weren't sure, I'm getting back from DLR on Oct. 26th... I'll post pics of MHP and everything else on the Halloween thread soon as I get them uploaded to Photobucket.) That's great news about the weather! Here's hoping this trend will continue up to our vacations. Nothing beats wearing scarves and gloves and rain jackets when waiting in line for RSR, right?? Lol

 

[ttig34]

I saw the non slow churned version of the peppermint ice cream in the SF Bay Area today at a Winco store.

 

[czmom]

New announcement about holiday celebrations in DCA: http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/bl...ebration-to-disney-california-adventure-park/

Ooooh! This sounds fun! Where exactly is the Paradise Gardens area and what is typically going on there?

Donald in his sombrero is in the Mexico pavilion at EPCOT. I always try to get a picture with him and have yet to be successful. Maybe I will finally get my chance at DCA!

 

[PHXscuba]

Silly ol' me spaced that Jack and Sally are Christmas characters as well as Halloween, so I can add them to the character week!

They were really fun and great with kids!


PHXscuba