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

[DisneyJamieCA]

My kids just picked a show to watch off Netflix and they picked...... Mickey's Magical Christmas: Snowed In!! Can I just tell you they are gonna go NUTS when they find out we are going in Dec!!!!

We are watching this right now

I know I have more, but these will have to do for tonight. These are back from 2007





Ok I lied, I have this one from Nov. of last year although it doesn't show anything holiday related at all.

 

[PHXscuba]

Happy Saturday to all!! I'm pleased I finally have a picture for the speed-round!

PHXscuba

 

[mommymonster]

I can't remember if I posted or not but we are going to Disneyland on Christmas Day. We are staying at Stovall Best Western. We will leave on the 28th for San Diego.

 

[tksbaskets]

Going to post before I watch the FIRST TWO Christmas movies on the DVR from the Hallmark Channel

2009

All decked out for the holidays If you look closely you'll notice a stocking hanging from a lamp post.

It always surprised me the lack of decorations on PP. It looks the same in June I imagine...

One of our favorite PP pics:

2011/2012
Our happy place.

Mickey!

Nice view if you can catch a PPP here

Slightly OT... Here is the line-up of new Hallmark Christmas movies to get you in the mood. Like any of us here needed to get fired up about Christmas time!

The Thanksgiving House
Premieres Saturday, November 2 at 8/7c
A woman buys a house in Plymouth, only to discover that the very first Thanksgiving took place on the property. As a result, she finds herself in a battle with a local handsome historian who wants to tear down her house to study the site. Stars Cerina Vincent and Lindsay Wagner.

Pete's Christmas
Premieres Friday, November 8 at 8/7c
A young 14-year-old boy named Pete has the worst Christmas Day ever, only to find that he must repeat the day again and again until he gets it right. Stars Bruce Dern, Zachary Gordon, Bailee Madison, Molly Parker and Rick Roberts.

Snow Bride
Premieres Saturday, November 9 at 8/7c
When a reporter encounters the eldest son of a famous political family at a mountain retreat, she winds up pretending to be his girlfriend over Christmas so he can save face with his family. Should she secretly expose newsworthy scoops about the famous family in order to save her job, or trust that she's falling in love for real? Stars Patricia Richardson and Katrina Law.

A Very Merry Mix-Up
Premieres Sunday, November 10 at 8/7c
Alice thinks she is heading to her fiancé’s hometown to meet his parents and spend the holidays, but a mix up at the airport lands her at the wrong home. However this “wrong” family is just her sort of people and she quickly forms a bond with them, especially with the handsome son, Matt. When she visits the "right" house, will her destiny take a detour? Stars Alicia Witt.

The Christmas Ornament
Premieres Saturday, November 16 at 8/7c
Widow Kathy Howard is having a hard time facing her first Christmas alone when she meets Christmas tree lot owner Tim Pierce, who helps her to see that there is still hope and love in the world. Kathy, however, is unsure if she is truly ready to move on. Can Tim and the Christmas season help open her heart to a new life? Stars Kellie Martin, Cameron Mathison and Jewel Staite.

Catch a Christmas Star
Premieres Sunday, November 17 at 8/7c
Just as her latest Christmas album is being released, famous singer Nikki Crandon is reunited with her high school sweetheart and starts to believe they may be able to rekindle what they had in the past. However, problems arise in the form of pressure from her record company, an old boyfriend and the paparazzi. Will Nikki be able to overcome the many obstacles to finally be with the only man she has ever loved? Stars Shannon Elizabeth.

Window Wonderland
Premieres Saturday, November 23 at 8/7c
With the Christmas season fast approaching, department store window decorator Sloan Van Doren is hoping to take over the recently-vacated head window designer spot but finds she has to prove herself by going up against rival Jake Dooley. As the two compete they find they may have more in common than they think. Stars Chyler Leigh and Naomi Judd.

Fir Crazy
Premieres Sunday, November 24 at 8/7c
When marketing executive Elise MacKenzie decides to help sell Christmas trees at her family’s Christmas tree lot, she discovers a newfound fondness for the holidays. But all could be lost when the store owner who hosts the tree lot on his block wants to shut it down, and it’s up to Elise to find a way to rekindle his Christmas Cheer. Stars Sarah Lancaster.

Let it Snow
Premieres Saturday, November 30 at 8/7c
A resort executive is sent to a newly purchased lodge in Maine with instructions to turn it in to an ultra-modern resort, and finds a charming, successful lodge loaded with holiday spirit. Will she stick with her boss’s plans to tear everything down or find a way to save what she has come to love? Stars Candace Cameron-Bure and Alan Thicke.

The Christmas Spirit
Premieres Sunday, December 1 at 8/7c
Charlotte Hart is a distinguished journalist out to save a quiet New England town from a ruthless real estate developer, but a terrible car accident puts her plans into a spin. Stars Nicolette Sheridan and Olympia Dukakis.

Santa Switch
Premieres Saturday, December 7 at 8/7c
Even the real Santa Claus needs a break every so often! Dan (Ethan Erickson), a divorcing dad facing unemployment at holiday time, can’t even land a mall Santa job. Then the real Kris (Donavan Scott) visits from the North Pole, leaving Dan in charge of things. Fortunately Dan receives a little guidance from his elf assistant Eddie (Oscar® nominee Sean Astin). Now the fate of Christmas rests in Dan’s hands! Stars Sean Astin, Ethan Erickson, Anne Dudek, Annie Thurman and Griffin Cleveland.

Hats off to Christmas
Premieres Saturday, December 14 at 8/7c
Instead of getting the promotion she deserves, Santa Hat Factory Assistant Manager Mia Winters is told by her boss to train his son, Nick, for the job instead. Though she is upset at being passed over, Mia soon finds herself falling for the charming Nick. When complications in their fledgling relationship arise, Mia must decide if she can really trust Nick with her heart, and the heart of her young son. Stars Haylie Duff and Antonio Cupo.

Finding Christmas
Premieres Sunday, December 15 at 8/7c
A disgruntled New York ad executive, Sean, swaps houses over Christmas with Owen, a North Carolina repairman who is also going through his own heartache. Owen meets Sean’s assistant Mia when he arrives in the big city. At the same time, Sean meets Owen’s sister, Ryan, when he arrives in North Carolina. Sparks fly between both couple, With Christmas approaching and the home swap nearing an end, the future for both of these new relationships is up in the air. Can these temporary holiday arrangements lead to long lasting love? Stars Tricia Helfer, JT Hodges, Mark Lutz and Cristina Rosato.

 

[blue888]

Thanks for the movie list!

It snowed a ton here last night, so I think we are going to have a movie afternoon and watch Mickeys Christmas

 

[tksbaskets]

Thanks for the movie list!

It snowed a ton here last night, so I think we are going to have a movie afternoon and watch Mickeys Christmas

Sounds like fun!

 

[Sherry E]

TK --

The Paradise Pier pictures (which are so great -- I especially love the character shots with you and your family) are too late to make it into yesterday's daily mini-theme. You have to act fast in this Countdown! But the Hollywood Pictures Backlot picture counts in the "Holidays Gone By" category, so that would count as an entry for this Theme Week (although I think you already posted something for Holidays Gone By early in the week -- I think I logged an entry from you?).

I have yet to post today's final mini-daily theme (though it is coming up very shortly). Tomorrow is the final weekly theme!

About the new Hallmark movies -- thank you so much for posting the complete list! It saved me the trouble of going into my email and digging up the announcement from Hallmark.

One of those movies on the list must not be an official Hallmark production or something because they keep advertising that there are 12 new movies this year...and your list shows 13 movies, if I counted correctly. I get their emails but I hadn't taken the time to look at the entire list. I only got as far as what's on next weekend.

Also -- I want to make sure that people know to not just look for the new movies on Hallmark. The ones that are 1-5 years old or older (like the ones I listed off for Pesky a few days ago when she asked what to watch on Hallmark) are very good, and those are the ones that are running all day and night, every weekend between now and early January, and are also on every weekday for certain blocks of time as well. I just don't want anyone to miss anything because they are only looking for new 2013 movies! Tune into Hallmark at any time from like early morning on until the middle of the night on weekends and you find some gems, like "Naughty or Nice," "Mrs. Miracle," etc. One of my favorites, "Farewell, Mr. Kringle," is a couple of years old and it will be on sometime this week.

Anyway, I'm off to put the finishing touches on today's final daily theme! I will be back with that shortly!

 

[Sherry E]

It’s Sunday, which means it’s time for the final mini-theme in the rapid fire Daily Countdown to the holiday season at Disneyland Resort!!!!

…9 Days Until the
Holiday Season Begins at Disneyland Resort!!!! ​

Each day this week – from Tuesday, October 29th through today, Sunday, November 3rd – there has been a new Disneyland Resort holiday mini-theme. Unlike the weekly themes, the participants’ photos for the daily mini-themes may only be posted on the days the themes go up in order to earn entries into the random draw to win the $25 Disney gift card.

The weekly theme – which is currently “Disneyland Resort - Holidays Gone By” – is still active and open for photos through tonight, Sunday, November 3, 2013, at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Standard Time.

Several people may have photos to fit today’s final daily mini-theme, but will they be able to post them in time to earn an entry? Let’s see if everyone can rise to the challenge and get their photos for this last daily theme in on time. Muahahahahahahaha! Anyone who can get his/her pictures in by 11:59 p.m., Pacific Standard Time, will receive TWO entries for each photo contribution!!

Anyone who is not able to get the mini-theme photos posted today but would still like to share them may do so starting tomorrow, Monday, November 4, 2013, through Sunday, November 10, 2013, for our final theme in this year’s Theme Week Countdown – “Holiday Cornucopia.”

So…what will be our nineteenth overall theme (and sixth and final daily theme) of 2013? Yesterday we enjoyed a little seaside stroll around Pacific Wharf and through Paradise Pier to see some nautically-themed décor. Today, we visit the festive, lively thoroughfare that takes us from the Disneyland Hotel, past the Grand Californian Hotel and to the parks!

In the Spotlight Today...

DOWNTOWN DISNEY!!​

For all intents and purposes, Downtown Disney is a typical outdoor shopping center. It features several stores and counter service eateries familiar to anyone who has walked the mall circuit when on a hunt for that perfect gift – Wetzel’s Pretzels, Haagen Dazs, Jamba Juice, Sephora, Build-A-Bear Workshop, Rainforest Café, LEGO and even House of Blues. The code word for today is: kids. (In fact, coming soon to Downtown Disney Anaheim is the omnipresent Starbucks.)

To add a bit of a Mouse-ified ‘stamp’ on this shopping center, there are also a few Disney-owned and operated stores onsite: Marceline’s Confectionery (look for the hidden Mickey in the shop’s sign/logo); D Street (look for the blinking red and green ‘stop and go’ Mickeys in the yellow street signal); Studio Disney 365; Disney Vault 28; and, of course, the enormous World of Disney.

New on the scene for the holiday season of 2012 were an ice skating rink and “Christmas Village” (2 or 3 temporary kiosks referred to as “chalets”) used in part as promotion for the “Secret of the Wings” movie. The rink replaced the towering Christmas tree that used to sit at the border of the Disneyland Hotel and Downtown Disney. This year, 2013, the ice skating rink will return and the chalets are now collectively called a “Winter Village.” However, apparently a Christmas tree (it may not be the same one from pre-2012) will be back as the centerpiece of the rink.

December 2012

The annual Disneyland Resort Holidays sign in the Esplanade (which I did not see in November?)…

Photo spot near Earl of Sandwich…

November 2012

An empty Marceline’s Confectionery in the morning…

Ice rink in the daytime…

Chalets to rent skating gear…

Pricing information…

Mini-Trees in the “Christmas Village”…

Haagen Dazs door wreath…

“Nightmare Before Christmas” tree in World of Disney…

Build-A-Bear…

Ice rink at night…

Mini-trees at night –

Window display at World of Disney…

December 2011


In-store display at World of Disney…

Annual Holidays at DLR banner…

December 2010

When turning off onto the GCH property…

Build-A-Bear often tips its hat to the old Rankin-Bass Christmas classics…

Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen…

“Nightmare Before Christmas” tree in World of Disney…

Annual Holidays at DLR banner…

​

Please feel free to post your Downtown Disney photos today only. The final theme in this year’s Theme Week Countdown will go up tomorrow, Monday, November 4th, and that will be “Holiday Cornucopia.”

Also, please continue to post your Holidays Gone By pictures through tonight – Sunday, November 3rd, 2013, 11:59 p.m. PST – if you have them, as we are still in that Theme Week.

 

[tksbaskets]

TK --

The Paradise Pier pictures (which are so great -- I especially love the character shots with you and your family) are too late to make it into yesterday's daily mini-theme. You have to act fast in this Countdown! But the Hollywood Pictures Backlot picture counts in the "Holidays Gone By" category, so that would count as an entry for this Theme Week (although I think you already posted something for Holidays Gone By early in the week -- I think I logged an entry from you?).

I have yet to post today's final mini-daily theme (though it is coming up very shortly). Tomorrow is the final weekly theme!

About the new Hallmark movies -- thank you so much for posting the complete list! It saved me the trouble of going into my email and digging up the announcement from Hallmark.

One of those movies on the list must not be an official Hallmark production or something because they keep advertising that there are 12 new movies this year...and your list shows 13 movies, if I counted correctly. I get their emails but I hadn't taken the time to look at the entire list. I only got as far as what's on next weekend.

Also -- I want to make sure that people know to not just look for the new movies on Hallmark. The ones that are 1-5 years old or older (like the ones I listed off for Pesky a few days ago when she asked what to watch on Hallmark) are very good, and those are the ones that are running all day and night, every weekend between now and early January, and are also on every weekday for certain blocks of time as well. I just don't want anyone to miss anything because they are only looking for new 2013 movies! Tune into Hallmark at any time from like early morning on until the middle of the night on weekends and you find some gems, like "Naughty or Nice," "Mrs. Miracle," etc. One of my favorites, "Farewell, Mr. Kringle," is a couple of years old and it will be on sometime this week.

Anyway, I'm off to put the finishing touches on today's final daily theme! I will be back with that shortly!

Perhaps the Thanksgiving movie didn't count for the 12? "Naughty or Nice" and "Bride for Christmas" were my favorites last year. Especially N or N.

I find myself singing/humming Christmas tunes in random spots (doing laundry) it is the most wonderful time of the year!

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

Is this where I get to pout because we don't get the Hallmark channel?

*POUT*

 

[Sherry E]

Perhaps the Thanksgiving movie didn't count for the 12? "Naughty or Nice" and "Bride for Christmas" were my favorites last year. Especially N or N.

I find myself singing/humming Christmas tunes in random spots (doing laundry) it is the most wonderful time of the year!

TK --

I think that if I didn't have this Hallmark Channel marathon for the next 2 months, I would undoubtedly be listening to Christmas songs. I find that I need something holiday-esque constantly running in the background on weekends. Surely one of my radio stations must be playing Christmas songs by now, right? I find that once I turn on the TV I just leave it on that channel as background noise all day! I did this last year and the year before as well.

As soon as I woke up this morning I flipped on Hallmark and there was "A Christmas Wish," with Kristy Swanson. Now that isn't exactly a lighthearted, upbeat movie until the very end, but I love it! I began working on today's mini-theme, and I noticed that "Naughty or Nice" was on in the background, so I had to occasionally turn around and see what was happening. Now, "Matchmaker Santa" is on, and I love that too! Later tonight, "Most Wonderful Time of Year" is on. That's a favorite. I can't get enough of these movies! They are so predictable and overly good-natured, and yet so addictive!

I wonder if Hallmark is not counting the Thanksgiving movie, as you suggested. All I know is that their commercials kept saying (yesterday) that this season there would be 12 all-new movies. But, they also said "every Saturday and Sunday." They did not mention Friday, and Friday is when "Pete's Christmas" is on. That must be the wild card, then. I am wondering if maybe someone else owns the rights to that one and they're just letting Hallmark air it? I can't figure it out. I'm just happy they're on!

I love seeing all of my old favorite Hallmark Christmas gems, but I can tell already that I will love the new "Finding Christmas" -- because that has the same basic plot as "Trading Christmas," which is one of my favorites, as well as the same basic plot as "The Holiday," with Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet.

I think I'm also going to love "Let It Snow." That looks like a storyline I can appreciate. Plus, it features 2 former sitcom stars, Candace Cameron and Alan Thicke! (Last year, "Naughty or Nice" reunited Meredith Baxter and Michael Gross from "Family Ties.") "The Christmas Ornament" looks like it could be a potential gem as well.

Since "Naughty or Nice" is one of your favorites from last year, be sure to search for "The 12 Wishes of Christmas" (with Elisa Donovan) in your DVR menu this year, or online. It is not a Hallmark movie, for some reason, but it is exactly like a Hallmark movie. It has a similar premise in that it involves a girl who misuses a bit of Christmas magic and things go haywire because of it. I think you'd like it.

Is this where I get to pout because we don't get the Hallmark channel?

*POUT*

Jamie --

I think you have a right to pout! You're missing out on some good holiday gems, most of which are appealing enough for adults (because there is typically some sort of romance involved) while being family-friendly. Of course, they are syrupy at times, and totally non-cynical and good natured. They are probably made for little money so they can't get big A-List actors. But as I mentioned to TK above, there is something so addictive about these movies! I first turned on one of these 2-month marathons a couple of years or so ago and wasn't expecting much, and now here I am, 2 years later, with my TV stuck on Hallmark!

Darn that U-verse! I don't know why they couldn't just get one of the Hallmark Channels, if not both.

 

[pattyduke34]

Down town Disney in 2010...

















<a href="http://s1134.photobucket.com/user/pattyduke34/media/DSC00474_zps7a00f7c2.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m601/pattyduke34/DSC00474_zps7a00f7c2.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo DSC00474_zps7a00f7c2.jpg"/></a>

 

[siskaren]

I think that if I didn't have this Hallmark Channel marathon for the next 2 months, I would undoubtedly be listening to Christmas songs. I find that I need something holiday-esque constantly running in the background on weekends. Surely one of my radio stations must be playing Christmas songs by now, right?

Are you familiar with Live365? You can definitely find stations that play nothing but Christmas music there. (Not to mentions stations that play music from the Disney parks. )

 

[czmom]

I love these DTD photos! Seems pretty festive We have an off day scheduled and plan to walk around DTD, tour the other resorts, etc. This gets me excited! And DD7 will love to ice skate. We are from Texas, so not much ice skating around here....but she always wants to!

Okay, so I recorded Nightmare Before Christmas last week. We all 4 sat down to watch it last night. And I will just say only 1 of us made it to the end. Definitely not my favorite movie. But at least I can say I have finally seen it!

 

[tksbaskets]

Nice DTD shots pattyduke34!

Sherry I loved "Trading Christmas" last year and will enjoy it probably more than once this year. I'm with you...the plots are wonderfully predictable. Good over bad, Christmas means more than gifts, smiling at the end although some are tear jerkers in a good way.

"Just hear those Sleigh bells jingling...."

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

DH put Christmas carols on Pandora - we've been listening to them since Nov. 1st. There is something about a Holiday Disneyland trip that puts me even more in the Christmas spirit! We will be arriving in DL 3 weeks from today!!!

These are from our balcony at the GCH - we were directly over the World of Disney - just a few floors up



(so technically the fireworks are in DL, but it has DTD in the picture too )





And this one is from Disney 365, a store in DTD

 

[mom2rtk]

A couple of quick questions:

1) If we do the tour and have reserved seating for the 5:30 parade, is there any reason we wouldn't make it in time to be among the first in line for the Fantasmic Dessert seating check-in?

2) I also want to see the parade in the daytime so will have to be in the park when it is set up for Candlelight Processional. Does anyone remember that setup from last year enough to know if it's possible to watch in the Town Square area or is it all blocked off for CP? Mostly I wanted to sit on the curb in the hub so I could watch the parade come straight toward us.

 

[blue888]

I've been reading in other threads that Christmas souvenirs seem to sell out really quickly. Is this correct? If I am not arriving by the 22nd are a lot going to be sold out already?

 

[perlster]

It's beginning to look a little like Christmas. by perlster, on Flickr

 

[blue888]

perlster - So cool to see the decorations going up!!