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

[Phoenixrising]

Disney either needs to get a new proof reader or better yet, a new spell check program for their releases. Either way I've been loving the pics of the latest Christmas merchandise, but I've been too busy putting out fires so to speak (have had a series of bombshells go off info wise this week, and have been reacting to all the chaos that's been caused because of it). I've also been called up for Jury Duty, but fortunately for me it won't be till after Christmas. Let's just say I'm not thrilled about the jury duty, but it's my civic duty to do so, and should find it interesting.

 

[siskaren]

Disney either needs to get a new proof reader or better yet, a new spell check program for their releases.

Spell check wouldn't catch Tinkle Bell though because Tinkle is spelled correctly.

 

[Kilala]

I know I usually don't post on this thread but, I saw one of my favorite Christmas candys at Target, White chocolate Pepermint M&M's. I haven't seen any Peeps yet. I don't have ver many Christmas photos from Disneyland. I would love to go during the Holiday season.

 

[asunutgirl]

OK - I'm confused. I thought I had read awhile back that the holidays started on the 7th. We were planning to go tomorrow night for a few hours to see the lights, fireworks etc. Is any of the holiday stuff up yet?

 

[Sherry E]

OK - I'm confused. I thought I had read awhile back that the holidays started on the 7th. We were planning to go tomorrow night for a few hours to see the lights, fireworks etc. Is any of the holiday stuff up yet?

asunutgirl -

In this thread I have a post called "Dates/Days/Events To Remember..." (post #2 on page 1 of this thread) that should help you. It will tell you everything about when decorations are up, what is opening on which dates, etc. I'm actually still kind of waiting for some dates to come out so I can get rid of some of the question marks, but there is a lot of info there now.

Today and tomorrow are the parade taping dates. The season does not officially begin until 11/12, but Winter Dreams and Viva Navidad are opening in one week, on 11/15.

It's a Small World usually soft opens a few days before the holiday season begins, but I'm not sure if it will this time. If it does, I would expect it to soft open by tomorrow. Jingle Cruise will open on 11/12, if not soft opening even before that.

There are decorations up in the two parks (not in any of the hotels). I think that the Buena Vista Street tree lighting starts tonight, from what the Disneyland Calendar said the last time I checked it.

Believe in Holiday Magic fireworks starts tonight.

You'll see some things...just not everything! Check out post #2 on page 1 of this thread!

 

[ksromack]

I am so excited. My husband is finally home from the hospital tonight and I got some of the peppermint ice cream to celebrate--the good kind. Thank you, everyone, for the good wishes. I feel like we can get back to the business of the holidays now.

That's great news!

Thanks, Liza!
The goofed date doesn't shock me at this point. To be honest, Disney has been very sloppy about letting mistakes go up on their websites, in media or in their brochures for the last year or so. Usually, these are typographical or blatant spelling mistakes (using "decadant" instead of the correct "decadent," for example), but some of us here may recall the botched up start date of Mickey's Halloween Party which was posted in the Annual Pass Backstage Pass newsletter earlier this year. BP showed the start date as Monday, 9/30 -- when it actually started on Friday, 9/27.

When we first learned of Winter Dreams, Disneyland News did a press release about it -- stating that the holiday season at DLR was beginning on 11/15 (not just that Winter Dreams was beginning then, but the whole season), even though the trusty Backstage Pass and the Parks Blog listed the start date as 11/12.

Now, of course, Disneyland News has mysteriously removed that original Winter Dreams/holiday season press release, posted a newer one and changed it to say that the holiday season is beginning on 11/12!

Oh, and let's not forget that last year the Holidays section of the DLR website featured poetic prose about the new ice rink and its tie-in to Secret of the Wings...featuring TINKLE BELL. Yes, TINKLE BELL...which I think may even be worse than the "STROM TROPPERS" meet & greet spot that was posted in the 2012 MHP map/brochure.

Let's just say that I don't think Disney is entirely on the ball in terms of checking some of their details before going to press!

Omgosh, I just read TINKLE BELL in the above post and almost spewed my water all over our lunch table at work!

 

[Sherry E]

1. Here is a new page with more info on the Jazz Kitchen Holiday Gingerbread Workshop.



2. I have learned that a new Thanksgiving-related blog is in the works, and it will be coming out very soon. Some of you may remember that last year's Thanksgiving blog (on the Parks Blog) was quite comprehensive, and it gave a lot of details about where to eat Thanksgiving meals at DLR.

There is also a possibility -- nothing confirmed or definite, as is the case with the Thanksgiving piece -- that there could be....get ready to sit down...a Christmas Eve/Dining blog coming our way!!!

I know that many of you Christmas travelers out there would like a fairly complete list of special menus or meals for 12/24 and 12/25, and I hope you get it! We have gotten so many questions about Christmas Eve/Day meals over the years, and there seems to be a lack of information in any kind of format that we can easily copy/paste or link out in threads. Hopefully we will get something substantial that can last us for a couple of years!

Otherwise, one suggestion would be to post in the Comments section (when the Thanksgiving blog goes up on the Parks Blog site) that you'd like a DLR Christmas Eve/Christmas Day dining blog as well.

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

Excited about the Thanksgiving blog, although we've already made our dining reservations.

 

[KCmike]

Couple of questions:
1. During the Christmas parade are there show stops? If so where is the best place near main street to sit for them? I remember the summer parades sometimes doing this but couldn't remember if the Christmas one did or not.

2. There was update on another website stating this:
"The wonderful annual parade returns this year with a few minor tweaks and changes, most of which will go unnoticed by the passive guest. Look for altered choreography on the Gingerbread and Candlelight parade units. Sadly, it seems that the Seven Dwarves may have been cut this year, but new skiers have been added to the Winter Wonderland unit. We also know that the title logo on the first float has been punched out of the wreath and replaced with a ribbon that goes over that. Most importantly, the traditional teddy bear that adorned the first float has returned and Duffy has been relegated to the Mrs. Claus float. But that has in turn caused a cascade effect, sending Pluto to the top of the gingerbread float and Max has been knocked off from there."

Does anyone know if Max will still be on the float?

3. Since we are staying off site and Disneyland opens at 9am...what time will we be allowed into the gates? Will there be a rope drop at the end of main street?

 

[funatdisney]

Disney Parks Blog posted "First Look: World of Color Winter Dreams at Disney California Adventure Park" with a video of the WoC Winter show.

"The final holiday touches are being added to the brand-new World of Color Winter Dreams at Disney California Adventure park. Each night as the creative team works, we see just how special this show is going to be. It really is filled with all the wonder, happiness and warmth the holidays bring".

Read more and see the video: First Look: World of Color Winter Dreams

 

[briggscreek]

All of these holiday pictures are getting me so excited for next month! Plus our first day there is my husbands birthday, first time we'll be in the parks on an actual birthday.

 

[asunutgirl]

asunutgirl -

In this thread I have a post called "Dates/Days/Events To Remember..." (post #2 on page 1 of this thread) that should help you. It will tell you everything about when decorations are up, what is opening on which dates, etc. I'm actually still kind of waiting for some dates to come out so I can get rid of some of the question marks, but there is a lot of info there now.

Today and tomorrow are the parade taping dates. The season does not officially begin until 11/12, but Winter Dreams and Viva Navidad are opening in one week, on 11/15.

It's a Small World usually soft opens a few days before the holiday season begins, but I'm not sure if it will this time. If it does, I would expect it to soft open by tomorrow. Jingle Cruise will open on 11/12, if not soft opening even before that.

There are decorations up in the two parks (not in any of the hotels). I think that the Buena Vista Street tree lighting starts tonight, from what the Disneyland Calendar said the last time I checked it.

Believe in Holiday Magic fireworks starts tonight.

You'll see some things...just not everything! Check out post #2 on page 1 of this thread!

Thanks - this is helpful! We have AP's but with my teenagers' crazy schedules, getting to the park all at the same time is sometimes a challenge! Glad to know there will be some things up.

 

[RuthieT]

what is the holiday tour? is this good for younger kids?

 

[Gisele]

what is the holiday tour? is this good for younger kids?

https://disneyland.disney.go.com/events-tours/holiday-time-at-disneyland/

And most definitely yes.
Taking into consideration the individual age and temperament of each child or tween, teen, adult (Younger or older)

 

[julieheyer]

Not sure if this is the right thread in which to ask this question... But I would appreciate your advice...

We will be at DLR on Sunday Dec. 8. We only have 1 park/day tickets, and are trying to decide which park to visit that day? DL will have CP that evening and we have no delusions of being able to enjoy that. So, my question is, do you think DL will be such a zoo that whole day that it'd be better to do DCA? Or do you think that doing the rest of DL while the crowds are at CP that evening would make more sense (since dca will be more crowded with those also avoiding DL crowds)?

Just polling the crowd and seeing what you guys guesstimate . TIA

 

[ksromack]

Exactly 3 weeks from right now we will be in the air probably somewhere around Columbia MO or maybe close to KC.

That sort of freaks me out.

Also, Disney Store has 25% off right now in case you need to pick up a few shirts for your trip

 

[mom2rtk]

Exactly 3 weeks from right now we will be in the air probably somewhere around Columbia MO or maybe close to KC.

That sort of freaks me out.

Also, Disney Store has 25% off right now in case you need to pick up a few shirts for your trip

Don't be freaked out by KC. We don't bite here.

 

[ksromack]

Don't be freaked out by KC. We don't bite here.

lol, I'm not freaking out over being close to KC, I'm freaking out over being this close to vacation! I need to pretend it's farther away otherwise it may be difficult to make it through these next couple of weeks! I need to make my tie-dye shirts for goodness sake!

 

[cali_crafter]

Thanks for the amazing info and pictures! We will be there in a little more than a week, in the parks the 19th to 22nd.

I'm a little sad/apprehensive about the higher crowds than I was anticipating with the news of the View taping and now the AP WOC showings that week. I'm a planner, I don't like last minute surprises!


I need to look up where we can find Santa, I'm sure I read it here a few dozen pages ago. I know he won't be at GCH yet which would have been fun. My girls aren't into meeting characters but I think santa will be ok!

 

[jacs1234]

Two more days, just two more days until we're there. Yay. I'm hoping the jingle cruise doesn't soft open because I want to see the original on our first day on Monday.