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

[funatdisney]

Oh My Disney posted an entry today about the Jungle Cruise Holiday make over. In it they mention the opening for the Jingle Cruise as Nov 12. Then go on to add their own spin on the holiday overlay.

Here is the entry if you want to read it: Jungle Cruise, Meet Jingle Bells

 

[PHXscuba]

I'm sure I share some of the blame/credit for the amount of peppermint ice cream coverage on this thread. Oddly, I saw the real stuff but no reduced-fat at my Safeway (Vons) this morning. BUT, the three cartons I could find were hidden behind the pumpkin, like others have said. I wonder if there is some sort of official corporate memo: "Hide the Peppermint Wonderland so we can sell the Pumpkin first." I have some good Dreyer's coupons so I am going to see if can get more this weekend ... and hide it from myself for awhile!

Thanks Sherry for sharing the CM's information and speculation. You must have taken really good notes during that phone call!

I think I stand with everyone else that I can't WAIT for the Christmas season to begin! Despite my love for Halloween and fall, I am ready. Let it begin! Let it begin!!

PHXscuba

 

[egritz]

I just saw the real stuff at my Target....I couldn't even find the slow churned variety!

 

[funatdisney]

Ok another Christmas post from DIsney Parks Blog this afternoon. This time on the Downtown Disney Winter Village at the Disneyland Resort.

In part:

"An entire Downtown Disney Winter Village will spring up around ESPN Zone and AMC Theatres on Thursday, November 14, adding extra cheer to the Downtown Disney District at the Disneyland Resort. Youll be able to visit quaint holiday cottages, browse for gifts in the shopping chalets and admire a 30-foot Christmas tree, the centerpiece of Olafs Frozen Ice Rink, inspired by the lovable snowman in the latest Walt Disney Pictures animated feature Frozen."

And also planned for the Downtown Disney District ...

"Other activities in the Downtown Disney District scheduled for various dates and times during the holiday season will include Carolers on December 5 and December 16-25, Anaheim Ballet performing scenes from The Nutcracker on December 5 and 19, and Downtown Disney Unwrapped, a presentation of fun gift ideas beginning Friday, November 29 (Black Friday)."

You can read the entire entry here: Hit the Ice This Holiday Season at the Downtown Disney Winter Village at the Disneyland Resort


Sherry, that must have been one interesting phone call. Thanks for posting. The tip bits of information are very interesting.

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

Ok another Christmas post from DIsney Parks Blog this afternoon. This time on the Downtown Disney Winter Village at the Disneyland Resort. In part: "An entire Downtown Disney Winter Village will spring up around ESPN Zone and AMC Theatres on Thursday, November 14, adding extra cheer to the Downtown Disney District at the Disneyland Resort. Youll be able to visit quaint holiday cottages, browse for gifts in the shopping chalets and admire a 30-foot Christmas tree, the centerpiece of Olafs Frozen Ice Rink, inspired by the lovable snowman in the latest Walt Disney Pictures animated feature Frozen." And also planned for the Downtown Disney District ... "Other activities in the Downtown Disney District scheduled for various dates and times during the holiday season will include Carolers on December 5 and December 16-25, Anaheim Ballet performing scenes from The Nutcracker on December 5 and 19, and Downtown Disney Unwrapped, a presentation of fun gift ideas beginning Friday, November 29 (Black Friday)." You can read the entire entry here: Hit the Ice This Holiday Season at the Downtown Disney Winter Village at the Disneyland Resort Sherry, that must have been one interesting phone call. Thanks for posting. The tip bits of information are very interesting.

Thanks for the update! The Christmas Tree sounds beautiful. I hope they do the village better than they did last year though. And sad we won't be there for the Anaheim Ballet Nutcracker stuff - my girls would have loved that.

 

[Sherry E]

Ok another Christmas post from DIsney Parks Blog this afternoon. This time on the Downtown Disney Winter Village at the Disneyland Resort.

In part:

"An entire Downtown Disney Winter Village will spring up around ESPN Zone and AMC Theatres on Thursday, November 14, adding extra cheer to the Downtown Disney District at the Disneyland Resort. Youll be able to visit quaint holiday cottages, browse for gifts in the shopping chalets and admire a 30-foot Christmas tree, the centerpiece of Olaf's Frozen Ice Rink, inspired by the lovable snowman in the latest Walt Disney Pictures animated feature Frozen."

And also planned for the Downtown Disney District ...

"Other activities in the Downtown Disney District scheduled for various dates and times during the holiday season will include Carolers on December 5 and December 16-25, Anaheim Ballet performing scenes from The Nutcracker on December 5 and 19, and Downtown Disney Unwrapped, a presentation of fun gift ideas beginning Friday, November 29 (Black Friday)."

You can read the entire entry here: Hit the Ice This Holiday Season at the Downtown Disney Winter Village at the Disneyland Resort


Sherry, that must have been one interesting phone call. Thanks for posting. The tip bits of information are very interesting.

Liza & PHXscuba -

You know how it is -- every now and then you get a CM on the phone or in the parks who knows something and is willing to talk. So I just threw out a bunch of questions!

Interestingly, I mentioned the Winter Village to the CM on the phone yesterday and I said that they really needed to expand it and make it bigger and better. I also said that they needed to put a Christmas tree there again, because even with that ice rink hogging up space, DTD felt bare without a giant Christmas tree. The CM seemed to hint at the fact that Disney started out by doing the "village" last year just to see how it went, and that it would be bigger down the road. I didn't post that in my above synopsis because it didn't seem to be based on fact so much as just speculation only. Maybe she knew something about it?

In any case, it sounds as though DTD will be really booming with the "quaint holiday cottages" and the "shopping chalets." Yeah, those chalets were not even up on November 12th last year, when the season began (or for a few days into the official season), and when they finally went up they were not all that impressive! I can't see that the "quaint holiday cottages" will be that much more exciting! We'll see about that! And November 14th? What's up with that? Why not the 15th, or the 12th? These dates are crazy!

Also, it sounds as if people will miss out on some fun stuff if they are not hanging around DTD on certain dates:

"...Carolers on December 5 and December 16-25, Anaheim Ballet performing scenes from The Nutcracker on December 5 and 19, and Downtown Disney Unwrapped, a presentation of fun gift ideas beginning Friday, November 29..."

So, between December 5th and December 16th -- no carolers in DTD? Those carolers had better be singing in the hotels! Why on earth would they be missing from DTD for 11 days in the middle of the holiday season?



In any case, thank you, Liza, for delivering the scoop to us! As I have said before, every time I think I am done for a while as far as updating the first page with new links, another Blog or article comes rolling in!

I gave you credit in the "Jingle Cruise" thread for being the first to break the news about the Jingle Cruise here (even before Tom posted his thread about it).

 

[funatdisney]

In any case, thank you, Liza, for delivering the scoop to us! As I have said before, every time I think I am done for a while as far as updating the first page with new links, another Blog or article comes rolling in!

I gave you credit in the "Jingle Cruise" thread for being the first to break the news about the Jingle Cruise here (even before Tom posted his thread about it).

You are welcome. Glad to be of service. Yes, I saw the mention on his thread. Thanks so much.

 

[rainyday77]

We will be there nov 1 & 2. I see there is snow on the castle. Can we expect to see many more signs of Christmas or is it too early. Love the Carsland photos.

 

[Sherry E]

We will be there nov 1 & 2. I see there is snow on the castle. Can we expect to see many more signs of Christmas or is it too early. Love the Carsland photos.

rainyday77 --

You'll see some things, but I'm not sure how much the decorators can put up by those dates. Disney begins sneaking things in before Halloween Time ends (like the Castle snow) and then after 10/31 it is full speed ahead with the decorating process. I'm not sure exactly which things will be up or available on 11/1 and 11/2 -- for example, I don't know if all of the holiday treats will be in the bake shops and candy stores yet, or only some -- or none.

I know you will see a lot of merchandise, as Disney tends to get that in the stores very early.

In terms of decorations in specific lands, I think you might see some decor in New Orleans Square, Toontown and A Bug's Land, as those all seem to get decorated before other lands.

You might see some holiday window displays popping up on Main Street all of a sudden. It will probably be interesting to see how much holiday decor goes up between 11/1 and 11/2.

Of course, Haunted Mansion Holiday will be open during your trip.

 

[Happy99]

What can I expect on Nov 7 and 8 as far as holiday things. I heard the Christmas Day parade is being filmed starting the 9th is that correct? Is it filmed in both parks and it should affect us correct?

Should we go into DL on Thursday early or on Friday early? I know we can park hop just wondering which park we should do for the morning each day

Thanks

 

[ksromack]

My husband has been in and out of the hospital for two weeks. He spent five days in intensive care. My Christmas joy has been hijacked. It is hard to be excited about the holidays when you are not sure he will make it to Christmas. Well, last night he turned a good corner and we can finally see some light at the end of this long, dark tunnel. And......I saw your ice cream at the market!! So, now I need to get our tour, Fantasmic, and dinner reservations....and I am late in doing that. Oh, I hope everything is not all booked up. We really need to celebrate this year!

Thinking happy thoughts for you!

 

[Sherry E]

What can I expect on Nov 7 and 8 as far as holiday things. I heard the Christmas Day parade is being filmed starting the 9th is that correct? Is it filmed in both parks and it should affect us correct?

Should we go into DL on Thursday early or on Friday early? I know we can park hop just wondering which park we should do for the morning each day

Thanks

Happy99 --

According to what one of our thread followers (whose family is performing in the parade) posted here a while back, this year's parade filming is taking place on Friday, 11/8 and Saturday, 11/9.

It used to only be filmed in Disneyland, where the parade takes place. I'm not sure if any of the talking segments of the ABC show are filmed in California Adventure but the parade will still be in Disneyland.

I've never been at DL when the parade is being filmed but I've read many reports about it being very crowded in the park on those days.

As for what else to expect as far as holiday decor, I think that It's a Small World Holiday will probably soft open by 11/8 (it usually starts a few days earlier than the official start date of the season). Believe in Holiday Magic fireworks are beginning on 11/8. Mostly all of the 2 parks' decor will be up during your trip. Most of the merchandise and treats will be out by 11/8.

I think I would probably go into DL on Thursday morning and DCA on Friday morning, but others may have different ideas.

 

[Tinker74]

Just booked my Christmas day meals!! Carnation café at 11am and then blue bayou at 5pm Hoping to break back at hotel between 1 and 4 so hope we can get back into park for the bayou.

Also booked storytellers for lunch on Christmas eve. Can we get to this easily from DCA?

 

[blue888]

I booked my reservations too.

Did anyone have any luck getting the Christmas menus yet? When I called they weren't yet available.

I just made my best guesses on what would work.


Also, my parents are watching my kids for an evening. What would the best restaurant be for a nice dinner with my husband? I'd love something with a nice view.

 

[egritz]

Just booked my Christmas day meals!! Carnation café at 11am and then blue bayou at 5pm Hoping to break back at hotel between 1 and 4 so hope we can get back into park for the bayou.

Also booked storytellers for lunch on Christmas eve. Can we get to this easily from DCA?

you can use the DCA entrance/exit and from what I've read Storytellers is easily accessed from that area.

I'd be nervous about re-entry into DL and would probably opt for not leaving - I would hate to not be able to get back in & have to pay the $10 per person no show fee!!!

 

[tksbaskets]

Hallmark Countdown to Christmas is coming next weekend! Here is a cute article about what's coming.

http://popwatch.ew.com/2013/10/23/hallmark-channel-christmas-movies/

 

[Tinker74]

you can use the DCA entrance/exit and from what I've read Storytellers is easily accessed from that area.

I'd be nervous about re-entry into DL and would probably opt for not leaving - I would hate to not be able to get back in & have to pay the $10 per person no show fee!!!

Yikes! Will we really not be able to get back in the park at 4pm ish? We will be there from 7am so will really need that break in the afternoon. I doubt we could last all day. We are on site guests and will get hand stamped on way out. Will that help our chances?
Iam not bothered about the no show fee. We will have travelled from the UK for a once in a lifetime xmas day at Disneyland We really want that meal!

 

[egritz]

Yikes! Will we really not be able to get back in the park at 4pm ish? We will be there from 7am so will really need that break in the afternoon. I doubt we could last all day. We are on site guests and will get hand stamped on way out. Will that help our chances?
Iam not bothered about the no show fee. We will have travelled from the UK for a once in a lifetime xmas day at Disneyland We really want that meal!

From what I've read every year Disneyland is pretty much guaranteed to close due to capacity ON Christmas Day and once that happens, my understanding is that NO ONE can re-enter the park, reglardless of having a hand stamp from an earlier entry. I read that within the past week or two, not sure if it was on this thread or somewhere else. I'm sure other's who have visited on Christmas Day can provide further advice, I'm not sure how quickly/early they fill, but I thought it was sometime in the afternoon.

 

[mrsw94]

49 Days!!! 49 Days!!
It's official! I bought the Orbitz tickets, there's no turning back now!
We leave exactly 7 weeks from today! I am soooooo excited!!! The kids don't know, and we wont' tell them until that morning. It's gonna kill me to wait!

Is anyone making anything to bring?
I bought a red sweatshirt for myself I want to put a Mickey head with a santa had on, and will probably try to find sweatshirts to make for the kids as well.

 

[Phoenixrising]

Since I'm running solo this time, the only thing I made was a new Lime Green Mickey Mouse head to put on my backpack to show I'm a DISer. Otherwise I go crazy on the tie dye, much to the kids delight. Also I managed to score the rare and elusive 2GB memory card for my old Digital camera at a drug store I happened to be in the area of and decided to check it out. The kids are thrilled about taking pics on the Edmonton trip, and I'm curious if they take after their mom, and being budding photographers. I'm getting excited about both trips, and am especially looking forward to dining at the Blue Bayou on the last day of my trip.