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

[Autty40]

To all the peppermint ice cream lovers... I was just walking by the ice cream aisle at my local Winco. I had to look just to see what they're options are, only because there is such a passion for it here. And, they have both kinds! I can see what everyone means about them looking the same. I just thought I'd share. I'm in the Central Valley by the way... .

 

[Sherry E]

Hi

I have 3 quick questions:

I have looked at the 2011 Dec calendar to get some idea of show times, etc.

1) What time do you all feel is ideal for a TS dinner? (We are a party of 5, with three kids - albeit DLR adults, 12, 12, 10)
Currently, I have a 6:00 reservation at Café Orleans on Dec. 22 I think that time should be okay in order to have us finished with our meal in time for any show / fireworks we might want to see.

2) I am hoping to book the Holiday Magic tour (or whatever its real name is - I'm sure you know the tour I am referencing) on Dec 24. What time should I make my meal reservation for on that night? We are hoping to do the On Christmas Day, I 'm thinking Goofy's Kitchen for a late brunch (last seating of the morning/afternoon, if possible) before we head out to San Diego.

Should I think of switching out any of those in favour of something else?

For CS, I am hoping we'll hit: Flo's V8, Bengal BBQ, Plaza. I am open to 1 -2 more suggestions for good counter service, ...

Thoughts? Recommendations? Flaws in my plans?

Thanks

NSmuppetmom --

These questions sound like good ones for Jamie and tksbaskets to tackle, or anyone who typically books meals and/or has done the Holiday tour! Hopefully they will be able to answer you and offer some help!

Woot woot! Just had to share that I received a pin code today which worked out perfect for our trip so I upgraded us to a premium view room for less than my original reservation plus the difference ($47) I'm getting in $50 worth of food vouchers that we're going to use for Goofy's Kitchen!! Works out great since I was going to call tomorrow to upgrade our room.

Also, I am super intrigued by all this talk of peppermint ice cream, I've never had it but I feel like maybe I need too!

jasy --

Woohoo! Is that the PIN code for 20% off, from Disney Destinations? And it's 15% off of standard rooms?

The ice cream is something that you will either enjoy...or not. It is not a taste for everyone. Peppermint is not a flavor that everyone would love in ice cream.

Loving all the Carsland photos! Been very busy at work lately and am trying to catch up.

Not sure if they needed to add the Jingle Jungle Cruise but we will have to wait and see.

Mike --

I was actually quite shocked to hear of this Jingle Cruise when Liza informed us about it this morning. I had no clue it was in the works. It sounds like the main decorations or holiday touches will be in the boathouse and the queue, although the boats will be renamed for the holidays and the skippers will have some holiday jokes. It may not be a massive overlay along the lines of HMH and IASWH. The killer piranha won't be wearing Santa hats or anything...I don't think!

To all the peppermint ice cream lovers... I was just walking by the ice cream aisle at my local Winco. I had to look just to see what they're options are, only because there is such a passion for it here. And, they have both kinds! I can see what everyone means about them looking the same. I just thought I'd share. I'm in the Central Valley by the way... .

Autty40 --

The passion for the peppermint ice cream comes from me. I ate peppermint ice cream as a child with my grandmother. I had a friend with whom I used to enjoy peppermint ice cream back in the '80s -- we would watch Wheel of Fortune and play along, and whoever lost had to buy the other one a peppermint malt or shake. I wrote about the "Peppermint Cone of Death" in my December 2010 TR. Blame it all on me!

PHXscuba is the other one who has enjoyed it for years as well.

Everyone else caught on when I was talking about it, and it became a mystery that the ice cream seemed to be made in different versions, some of which are not available in certain stores. Then it became a whole thing and a search for the ice cream ensued, but I don't know how many other folks besides PHXscuba and myself have actually had discussions about this ice cream in the past and sought it out for years.

I think I'm the only one who said the 2 versions of the carton are the same. In my specific store, the Slow Churned and the Grand are/were in the same carton when I was there on Saturday. Same snowman and everything. The only differences were the name -- one carton said Slow Churned and the other said Grand -- and the number of calories, etc., in the lower right section of the front of the carton. The last Grand was mixed in with the Slow Churned and I almost didn't see it because the design was the same.

Otherwise, the Slow Churned carton that is pictured on the Dreyer's website and Facebook page -- and the one that siskaren saw and probably everyone else saw -- is a different carton, with no snowman and a slightly different design!

I am guessing that the next time I go to my store, the Slow Churned in the snowman carton will have been replaced by the other carton without the snowman.

 

[funatdisney]

Here are some of the pictured I have of Cars Land:







I know I have posted this one before, but it is so Cars land:



I have more, but Photobucket is giving me trouble! I'll try to post more later.

 

[Sherry E]

Another entry into the random draw, Liza!

Photobucket is maddening! I sometimes have a hard time comprehending that they have so many customers, given how often their site goes awry or the programmers tweak things that don't need to be tweaked and mess everything up! It is literally one thing after another with that site.

 

[egritz]

some itinerary advice is needed...please! Not sure what sort of crowds to expect.

Friday December 13 we are going to Knott's Berry farm; I'd like to be there as close to park opening as possible (10am).

We are planning to do Surf's Up at PP AND I want to try and see the PP Santa that morning (assuming he is there...last year's schedule had him seeing guests at 8:30 - 9:00 & 9:20 - 10:00). My goal would be to get to see him during the first half hour (at 8:30) so we can catch the Bus that picks up at 9:39 on S Harbour - we will have a good walk to get to the complete opposite side of the area so I think we need try and be leaving PP by 9:00 to give us time to either walk around the DL area, or get through security (could be busy that time of the morning? Not sure...assuming park opening will be 8am)

Should we do the earliest ADR possible? 7:00 or 7:10? Or would 7:30 be sufficient. I have read that Surf's Up isn't very busy so I'm guessing we can get done in about 1 hour, BUT it is a Friday morning, so for some travelers that could be their weekend and maybe busier?? We have a 7:50 ADR right now but I know that needs to be earlier...just not sure how much earlier.

Any pieces of wisdom you can share from your Holiday experience at DL? I hate to have an early morning that day, but

 

[PHXscuba]

The killer piranha won't be wearing Santa hats or anything...I don't think!


The passion for the peppermint ice cream comes from me. I ate peppermint ice cream as a child with my grandmother. I had a friend with whom I used to enjoy peppermint ice cream back in the '80s -- we would watch Wheel of Fortune and play along, and whoever lost had to buy the other one a peppermint malt or shake. I wrote about the "Peppermint Cone of Death" in my December 2010 TR. Blame it all on me!

PHXscuba is the other one who has enjoyed it for years as well.

Everyone else caught on when I was talking about it, and it became a mystery that the ice cream seemed to be made in different versions, some of which are not available in certain stores. Then it became a whole thing and a search for the ice cream ensued, but I don't know how many other folks besides PHXscuba and myself have actually had discussions about this ice cream in the past and sought it out for years.

I think I'm the only one who said the 2 versions of the carton are the same. In my specific store, the Slow Churned and the Grand are/were in the same carton when I was there on Saturday. Same snowman and everything. The only differences were the name -- one carton said Slow Churned and the other said Grand -- and the number of calories, etc., in the lower right section of the front of the carton. The last Grand was mixed in with the Slow Churned and I almost didn't see it because the design was the same.

Otherwise, the Slow Churned carton that is pictured on the Dreyer's website and Facebook page -- and the one that siskaren saw and probably everyone else saw -- is a different carton, with no snowman and a slightly different design!

I am guessing that the next time I go to my store, the Slow Churned in the snowman carton will have been replaced by the other carton without the snowman.

Yes, we are the ones obsessed with peppermint ice cream and the ongoing hunt to get the good stuff!!

And love the "piranhas in Santa hats" thought!

PHXscuba

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

NSmuppetmom -- These questions sound like good ones for Jamie and tksbaskets to tackle, or anyone who typically books meals and/or has done the Holiday tour! Hopefully they will be able to answer you and offer some help! jasy -- Woohoo! Is that the PIN code for 20% off, from Disney Destinations? And it's 15% off of standard rooms? The ice cream is something that you will either enjoy...or not. It is not a taste for everyone. Peppermint is not a flavor that everyone would love in ice cream. Mike -- I was actually quite shocked to hear of this Jingle Cruise when Liza informed us about it this morning. I had no clue it was in the works. It sounds like the main decorations or holiday touches will be in the boathouse and the queue, although the boats will be renamed for the holidays and the skippers will have some holiday jokes. It may not be a massive overlay along the lines of HMH and IASWH. The killer piranha won't be wearing Santa hats or anything...I don't think! Autty40 -- The passion for the peppermint ice cream comes from me. I ate peppermint ice cream as a child with my grandmother. I had a friend with whom I used to enjoy peppermint ice cream back in the '80s -- we would watch Wheel of Fortune and play along, and whoever lost had to buy the other one a peppermint malt or shake. I wrote about the "Peppermint Cone of Death" in my December 2010 TR. Blame it all on me! PHXscuba is the other one who has enjoyed it for years as well. Everyone else caught on when I was talking about it, and it became a mystery that the ice cream seemed to be made in different versions, some of which are not available in certain stores. Then it became a whole thing and a search for the ice cream ensued, but I don't know how many other folks besides PHXscuba and myself have actually had discussions about this ice cream in the past and sought it out for years. I think I'm the only one who said the 2 versions of the carton are the same. In my specific store, the Slow Churned and the Grand are/were in the same carton when I was there on Saturday. Same snowman and everything. The only differences were the name -- one carton said Slow Churned and the other said Grand -- and the number of calories, etc., in the lower right section of the front of the carton. The last Grand was mixed in with the Slow Churned and I almost didn't see it because the design was the same. Otherwise, the Slow Churned carton that is pictured on the Dreyer's website and Facebook page -- and the one that siskaren saw and probably everyone else saw -- is a different carton, with no snowman and a slightly different design! I am guessing that the next time I go to my store, the Slow Churned in the snowman carton will have been replaced by the other carton without the snowman.

Hey, hey there! I came by my peppermint ice cream obsession all by myself My mom used to get it every year and it became something we always ate together, especially on Christmas Day. I have my oldest daughter following in our footsteps. And as a matter of fact, up until this year, DH has brought me home a carton of it the first time he sees it in a store. That is true love, lol. I will say this is the first year I've looked for it this early, and yes, that did stem from the conversation here, but it's the only year I've ever had problems finding it. Maybe I should go back to waiting for DH to bring me some

As for NSmuppetmom's questions, I'm probably not the best to ask. The last time I did the tour was in 2006. We are doing it this year and we can book Monday I think, so I'll report back with any info I have. I have made dining reservations, but all of ours are lunches this time around.

 

[beckykarstetter]

We are getting close enough to our trip that our first day is on the official Disney calendar! Yay!! I'm really excited, but also slightly confused and maybe the board vets can give guide me. I'm trying to do a loose schedule for our day, and the schedule says the park closes at 8pm. It also says WOC is at 8:15. Is that right? Does the show start after the park closes? I've looked at the schedules for days closer to today's date thinking that maybe it's just not as accurate that far out, but those say the same thing. Help.

 

[JediMasterNerd]

Hi

I have 3 quick questions:

I have looked at the 2011 Dec calendar to get some idea of show times, etc.

1) What time do you all feel is ideal for a TS dinner? (We are a party of 5, with three kids - albeit DLR adults, 12, 12, 10)
Currently, I have a 6:00 reservation at Café Orleans on Dec. 22 I think that time should be okay in order to have us finished with our meal in time for any show / fireworks we might want to see.

We did dinner last year (12/26) at Café Orleans at 5:30pm, there were 3 of us and it took maybe an hour. We did F! Dessert Dining that same night and had PLENTY of time to do some rides and get in line for the reserved seating and making F!.... And the fireworks are after that so I would think a 6pm reservation would be fine.

2) I am hoping to book the Holiday Magic tour (or whatever its real name is - I'm sure you know the tour I am referencing) on Dec 24. What time should I make my meal reservation for on that night? We are hoping to do the On Christmas Day, I 'm thinking Goofy's Kitchen for a late brunch (last seating of the morning/afternoon, if possible) before we head out to San Diego.

Should I think of switching out any of those in favour of something else?

It depends on which tour time you go on. We did the holiday tour on 12/24 last year and there were 2 tour times, we wanted to see the parade at night so we picked the latter tour, I believe it started at 3:15 so we had to be there at 3pm and we saw the 5 or 5:30 parade ending around 6pm. We had 8pm reservations at Blue Bayou and easily made that.

For CS, I am hoping we'll hit: Flo's V8, Bengal BBQ, Plaza. I am open to 1 -2 more suggestions for good counter service, ...

Thoughts? Recommendations? Flaws in my plans?

Thanks

Sorry, can't help here. We hit various CS places, but I don't recall when/where...

Have fun!!

J.

 

[TinkLoverSam]

We are getting close enough to our trip that our first day is on the official Disney calendar! Yay!! I'm really excited, but also slightly confused and maybe the board vets can give guide me. I'm trying to do a loose schedule for our day, and the schedule says the park closes at 8pm. It also says WOC is at 8:15. Is that right? Does the show start after the park closes? I've looked at the schedules for days closer to today's date thinking that maybe it's just not as accurate that far out, but those say the same thing. Help.

Yes WoC will officially start after park closing, but "park closing" is just the time they stop letting you enter ride lines. WoC will run, shops will be open and anyone currently in ride lines will get to ride.

 

[aidensmom31]

I get to start making dining reservations tomorrow

 

[tksbaskets]

Hi

I have 3 quick questions:

2) I am hoping to book the Holiday Magic tour (or whatever its real name is - I'm sure you know the tour I am referencing) on Dec 24. What time should I make my meal reservation for on that night? We are hoping to do the On Christmas Day, I 'm thinking Goofy's Kitchen for a late brunch (last seating of the morning/afternoon, if possible) before we head out to San Diego.

Should I think of switching out any of those in favour of something else?

For CS, I am hoping we'll hit: Flo's V8, Bengal BBQ, Plaza. I am open to 1 -2 more suggestions for good counter service, ...

Thoughts? Recommendations? Flaws in my plans?

Thanks

I wouldn't make a dinner reservation after the Holiday Tour before 7 pm.

CS favs of ours:
DCA:
Cocina Cumamonga Mexican Grill Pacific Warf
Lucky Fortune Cookery, Pacific Warf (DS eats here while the rest of us get our food from Cucamonga)
Corn Dog Castle (YUMMM!! For me anyway, DH won't eat one) Paradise Pier
Boardwalk Pizza & Pasta (ample seating) Paradise Pier
Paradise Garden Grill, Paradise Pier (next door to the one above so every family member can choose)

DL:
Rancho del Zocalo Restaurante, Frontierland
River Belle Terrace, Frontierland (our fav for breakfast)

I see that you're in SE Michigan not sure how far away you are from Howell but their walmart has both.

It's a bit of a drive...I'd have soup when I got home. There is a Walmart about 30 minutes from home...

I think I can make dining reservations today too! WAHOO!

TK

 

[Orbitron]

We finally made all our bookings and reservations for our vacation, the only thing missing is the Holiday Time Tour (and Disney on Ice at the Staples Center)! I know there is a discount for Annual Passholders, but the problem is that we don't have our Annual Passports yet, only eTickets that we need to redeem. Is it possible to get the disount anyway?

 

[ksromack]

I was just checking the calendar for December to get an idea of the parade times & fireworks (they are different than last year, 5:30 parader & 7:30 FW during the week at DL....and the Pixar Parade is now at 4:30 in DCA) and there is something listed "Winter Village" in DTD near ESPN zone from 3pm-10pm...what is this?

I was just looking at the calendar too.....and has this been discussed.....that there isn't any magic mornings listed for Dec at all? Nov 30 and before has the typical EMH hours listed but starting Dec 1, the calendar specifically says there isn't any?

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

I was just looking at the calendar too.....and has this been discussed.....that there isn't any magic mornings listed for Dec at all? Nov 30 and before has the typical EMH hours listed but starting Dec 1, the calendar specifically says there isn't any?

They will be eventually. That seems to be the last piece of the puzzle put up, so to speak. People have been complaining about it since Aug/Sept and they always end up being there. You just need to give it a bit more time

 

[egritz]

I was just looking at the calendar too.....and has this been discussed.....that there isn't any magic mornings listed for Dec at all? Nov 30 and before has the typical EMH hours listed but starting Dec 1, the calendar specifically says there isn't any?

They are probably late - we were able to book Minnie & Friends at Plaza Inn for 8:10 on a Thursday (12/12, so schedule is not yet published) that the park opens at 9am (Thursdays usually have early entry)

 

[ksromack]

Woot woot! Just had to share that I received a pin code today which worked out perfect for our trip so I upgraded us to a premium view room for less than my original reservation plus the difference ($47) I'm getting in $50 worth of food vouchers that we're going to use for Goofy's Kitchen!! Works out great since I was going to call tomorrow to upgrade our room.

Also, I am super intrigued by all this talk of peppermint ice cream, I've never had it but I feel like maybe I need too!

Congrats! Did you get the PIN via email or snail mail?

 

[jasy]

Congrats! Did you get the PIN via email or snail mail?

Thanks, the timing couldn't have been better. I received the PIN via email. 15% off regular room rates and 20% off premium. I upgraded our regular DLH hotel reservation to premium view.

 

[ksromack]

I had it in my notes but now I can't find it.....how much is the Fantasmic Dessert Party?

Congrats on all you getting to make dinner reservations.....that's half of the fun for me...that and gazing upon my spreadsheet. lol!

I made mainly late lunch reservations on many of our days. I learned from WDW last December to NEVER eat 3 sit down meals in a day. We'll probably do cs dinners whenever we can fit them in....I'm resisting the urge to schedule all our meals this trip......I'm such a commando!

 

[tksbaskets]

Add me to the contingent that has made their dining reservations! I only made three for this trip and will book the Fantasmic Dessert Package at 30 days out.

Carnation Cafe - Lunch

Thunder Mountain Ranch BBQ - Dinner

Goofy's Kitchen - Dinner (to take advantage of my Photopass + card as well as probably the only character pics with the men folk)

Getting more excited!