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

[figment_jii]

Free Carthay Circle tour??? How has this escaped me? Do you just walk up and ask for a tour at 10:30, or do you call in advance -- or what happens? I need to do that in December so I can get in there and see this year's gingerbread house (which I missed last year).

I can take a stab at answering this because I went on the tour in October. You cannot sign up in advance for this tour; first come, first serve. You meet in front of the Carthay Circle Restaurant a little before 10:30 am and a CM will be waiting by the sign. I think the tour is limited to 12 or so people per day. It's not a long tour, but as Mike said, you get to see inside the restaurant without other folks being there! The CM is kind of like a tour guide; they'll tell you about the history of the real Carthay Circle Theater and take you on a walking tour of the public areas of the restaurant. Because it's in the public areas, you can take as many photos as you want. It's pretty short, but informative and worth doing.

 

[mrsw94]

mrsw94-those sandwich boxes are so cute! I you paint them or make a transfer of some sorts to place on the containers?

Sherry-you made my day by posting the JJJ menu, I'm excited to see the apple burrito is still around for the holidays! I'll be adding that to my snack list.

MinnieLovesMickey thanks!! I have a Silhouette Cameo and cut them out using adhesive vinyl. My family has started to hide things from me because I think EVERYTHING needs to be decorated!!

 

[ksromack]

They have taken certain shows from the schedule and apparently reserved all the spots for AP holders. You have to line up at park open I think, and you also get an ornament:

https://disneyland.disney.go.com/offers-discounts/world-of-color-winter-dreams-for-passholders/

Maybe at least you can get some benefit from it. All it did for me was take the show that fits my schedule best right off the table.

Now I am torn between keeping my pre-fix menu at Carthay Circle and utilizing the WoC reserved viewing for that OR just canceling my reservations for the WoC meal and using the AP LTM and go at 7pm. I must say I wasn't crazy about being limited with the menu. I think I'd rather go back to Carthay Circle and eat whatever we want off the menu.

I'm sorry that messes you up though, Janet. I do wonder what kind of lines we are talking about. I think maybe it helps that Dec 4th is a Wednesday? Maybe it won't be as crazy crowded? And wait a minute......on Dec 4 it's EMH for DCA so we can get in at 8am.....will the line start forming at Grizzly River Run FP area that early? Will they not start giving FP for the LTM AP WoC (<- that's a lot of acronyms there).....at 8am or will that have to wait until regular park opening at 9am?

Sherry, love the JJJ pictures! I'm excited to see that in person....and where in the park is that located exactly?

I wonder how crazy I would be to attempt to listen to the CP? I may have to give it the ole' college try

 

[mom2rtk]

Now I am torn between keeping my pre-fix menu at Carthay Circle and utilizing the WoC reserved viewing for that OR just canceling my reservations for the WoC meal and using the AP LTM and go at 7pm. I must say I wasn't crazy about being limited with the menu. I think I'd rather go back to Carthay Circle and eat whatever we want off the menu.

I'm sorry that messes you up though, Janet. I do wonder what kind of lines we are talking about. I think maybe it helps that Dec 4th is a Wednesday? Maybe it won't be as crazy crowded? And wait a minute......on Dec 4 it's EMH for DCA so we can get in at 8am.....will the line start forming at Grizzly River Run FP area that early? Will they not start giving FP for the LTM AP WoC (<- that's a lot of acronyms there).....at 8am or will that have to wait until regular park opening at 9am?

Sherry, love the JJJ pictures! I'm excited to see that in person....and where in the park is that located exactly?

I wonder how crazy I would be to attempt to listen to the CP? I may have to give it the ole' college try

Thanks Kathy!

I wish I could tell you what to do with yours. I'm afraid I've pieced together just enough to be dangerous. I'd sure hate to lead someone astray with any advice when I can't even figure out what I am doing!

Mike was there for FP distribution on a morning they were also handing out AP FPs. Maybe when he chimes back in he can say whether it had been an early open day at DCA when he got there. I know he did say the AP distribution line was longer than the regular distribution line for the later show.

 

[ksromack]

Thanks Kathy!

I wish I could tell you what to do with yours. I'm afraid I've pieced together just enough to be dangerous. I'd sure hate to lead someone astray with any advice when I can't even figure out what I am doing!

Mike was there for FP distribution on a morning they were also handing out AP FPs. Maybe when he chimes back in he can say whether it had been an early open day at DCA when he got there. I know he did say the AP distribution line was longer than the regular distribution line for the later show.

The only thing saving me that day is that there are NO Candy Canes on Dec 4th! I think I understand how it'll work. I just don't know which show will force me to wait in the longest line. Long line for fast passes.....long line for getting into the WoC......will the 7pm show have the longest line....will the 2nd show have the longest line...

We heading out in a few minutes to see Catching Fire. I'll be glad to have the diversion. I thought I had this all figured out.....the best laid plans of mice (pun intended) and men.......

 

[mom2rtk]

The only thing saving me that day is that there are NO Candy Canes on Dec 4th! I think I understand how it'll work. I just don't know which show will force me to wait in the longest line. Long line for fast passes.....long line for getting into the WoC......will the 7pm show have the longest line....will the 2nd show have the longest line...

We heading out in a few minutes to see Catching Fire. I'll be glad to have the diversion. I thought I had this all figured out.....the best laid plans of mice (pun intended) and men.......

Have fun at the movie. I'm going to try and find time to take Katie this weekend. She read the entire series and really is dying to see it!

 

[rentayenta]

Thank you so much for the photos Sherry. I love the look of the JJJ and hope I can get my kids to not rush me out. I dig the rustic decor and rope snowflakes.

 

[laurasvwee]

Thank goodness the View is all packed up and gone. We now have the castle back to enjoy and take pictures of

 

[mom2rtk]

Thank goodness the View is all packed up and gone. We now have the castle back to enjoy and take pictures of

I'm not going to lie though. I enjoyed watching it this week. I'm just sorry I forgot to tape the first installment on Monday.

But I would have been really ticked off to have them there during my trip.

 

[rentayenta]

Thank goodness the View is all packed up and gone. We now have the castle back to enjoy and take pictures of

I'm so glad. I thought about first time and only time visitors all week.

 

[KCmike]

WOW this thread really moves and I was just gone for 24 hours. Went to bed, woke up and went to work, came home and looked at this thread and its several pages later!

SHERRY E The free Carthay Circle Tour is absolutely free. All you have to do is lineup right in front of the Carthay Circle. There is a sign stating the tour was there and it was outside on the sidewalk with a CM standing right there. He instructed us to come back about 15 minutes before 10:30 as they would be letting us in. We toured much of the CC but we didn't go into Club 1901. We got alot of fun facts that I would have never known before. There is one picture in there that has Walt's first picture with Mickey Mouse and Walt's last picture with Mickey Mouse before he died. Snow White's wishing well piece is the bottom trunk of one large table that can be privately requested for a small fee of around $700 or so. There were just many great fun facts.

Janet Ok there were two lines that morning. We didn't have an early entry day that day. It was Saturday and we were there at rope drop for us. We foolishly went running towards RSR but saw the line was way past Flo's on Route 66 so I went straight back to get a fast pass for WoC and then RSR and then Soarin'. If there is a Annual Passholder showing for WoC on your day you want to visit just make sure you go around the bigger line and head towards Grizzly River Run to get to the smaller second line that is closer to the Grand Californian entrance. Ok so I pulled a map that looked closer to how I thought the color breakdown is. I hope this isn't too old as we were put into the blue section and this shows what happened to us. We were in the blue section near the top where you see an HC and the VIP boxes. We were just under VIP in that part of the blue section. I personally think you want to be on the left side of the middle. Anywhere left is perfect. The designers of WoC (Steve Davidson) built the show to be seen from the circle of the Paradise Park area. The semi star in the middle where the water fountain is during the day. That is where the Carthay Circle Preferred Meal experience buyers get to be. They really talked about this at the end of the tour as they were trying to get people to buy a dinner package.

Here is my first picture I took entering Disneyland. I rented an L glass 40-70II 2.8 lens this go around. Loving that 2.8 stop.

I've shot this spot before but it did seem a little more crisp than my kit lens.


Disneyland Christmas 2013 by KC MikeD, on Flickr

 

[tinkermell]

Hi Sherry!

Just had to post, that I have not forgotten about this thread. It has taken me forever to get through it all since you started the "word clue" of the week. I was really careful at first to keep track, and then I totally forgot everything. (Should have wrote them down, darn it.)
Anywhos, thoroughly enjoying every post and the pictures are fabulous!
Thank you everyone for your photos. Love them!!

Makes me so anxious to finally see everything again!

 

[KCmike]

SHERRY E
Club 33 was a great experience. I have to say that we were a little terrified that we might have too high of expectations but they all came true for us. The staff was very attentive, friendly, and very helpful in our selections. We had lunch so I can't comment on the dinner time aspect. I had read a few bad experiences lately but it couldn't be farther from the truth. It was a superb experience.
I personally had the seafood platter as a first course (Maine Lobster, shrimp, crab and tartar sauce), second came a spinach salad, followed by the Chateuabriand steak (potato and green beans), and finished with a desert bar. We were also offered a warm cider to begin the meal with a bread basket. The cider was amazing. Also the desert bar has the most wonderful hot chocolate. The chocolate cake was also top notch. What came as a shock to us was seeing Mickey Mouse and Pluto walking around the tables taking photos and making the experience such a grand time.

We were able to walk around and view Trophy room, ride the elevator up, and step out onto the balcony and take in the views. There was nowhere we couldn't enter.

The entire experience took about 2 1/2 hours and we didn't rush it or just take longer than we needed to.

The food was an A+. Everything was to perfection. We had ate at Steakhouse 55 our last time to Disneyland and thought it was one of the best steaks we had ever had (we've been to several nicer steakhouses) so we thought it might not be as good here. It was delicious! Steak so soft you could cut with a spoon.

If you have any further questions about Club 33 feel free to ask. Congrats on getting to visit! You will have a first class memorable experience.


Club 33 by KC MikeD, on Flickr

 

[planningjollyholiday]

On my mousewait app there are some pictures being posted of the hotels being decorated with Christmas trees and garland. I thought I had read that usually the hotels aren't decorated until after thanksgiving. Are they early this year, or are they always decorated by now?

 

[butterflymouse]

Only a few more days until I'm finally there again! I'm getting way too excited! It's been far too long since I've been there! And I'm so glad I'm going back for the holidays! Eeeee! Really feeling like a kid right now!

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

On my mousewait app there are some pictures being posted of the hotels being decorated with Christmas trees and garland. I thought I had read that usually the hotels aren't decorated until after thanksgiving. Are they early this year, or are they always decorated by now?

In years past they have been decorated in the days right after Thanksgiving - last year the tree in the Grand was up the morning after. I think with Thanksgiving being so late this year, they decided (smartly, I think) to get them up before.

 

[Arizona Rita]

Tomorrow can not get here soon enough!
This time tomorrow hopefully there will be fireworks!
I will learn to post photos and maybe even post something!

 

[ksromack]

I'm so excited for those of you leaving in the next couple of days! We leave a week from tomorrow......and I'm feeling pretty blessed right now. I've learned amazing things from this thread and have really enjoyed all the pictures and helpful hints.

Our first couple days are at HoJo and I was feeling sorry for myself that I couldn't just stay at PPH the entire vacation....then I got an email from HoJo and I'm guessing they have some vacancies! My first night (Dec 29) was the same rate but the next night (Dec 30) is 50% off!!!!! That made it $89 for a theme park view. You have to sign up for their emails but it paid off pretty well for me this trip. Certain nights have the same 50% discount and you have to print the email which shows your name (and thus proves you received the offer personally) and present it upon check-in.

We are flying to hubby's hometown for Christmas week and our flight home is now $76 less than it was when I booked it (SW Airlines). All I did was change to the current price and now I have a credit to be used on a later trip.

Did I mention I get to experience Disneyland for the first time in a little over a week?

SHERRY E
Club 33 was a great experience. I have to say that we were a little terrified that we might have too high of expectations but they all came true for us. The staff was very attentive, friendly, and very helpful in our selections. We had lunch so I can't comment on the dinner time aspect. I had read a few bad experiences lately but it couldn't be farther from the truth. It was a superb experience.
I personally had the seafood platter as a first course (Maine Lobster, shrimp, crab and tartar sauce), second came a spinach salad, followed by the Chateuabriand steak (potato and green beans), and finished with a desert bar. We were also offered a warm cider to begin the meal with a bread basket. The cider was amazing. Also the desert bar has the most wonderful hot chocolate. The chocolate cake was also top notch. What came as a shock to us was seeing Mickey Mouse and Pluto walking around the tables taking photos and making the experience such a grand time.

We were able to walk around and view Trophy room, ride the elevator up, and step out onto the balcony and take in the views. There was nowhere we couldn't enter.

The entire experience took about 2 1/2 hours and we didn't rush it or just take longer than we needed to.

The food was an A+. Everything was to perfection. We had ate at Steakhouse 55 our last time to Disneyland and thought it was one of the best steaks we had ever had (we've been to several nicer steakhouses) so we thought it might not be as good here. It was delicious! Steak so soft you could cut with a spoon.

If you have any further questions about Club 33 feel free to ask. Congrats on getting to visit! You will have a first class memorable experience.

What a treat! It's so wonderful when expectations are met and even exceeded, especially when it's something you've really looked forward to. I have no doubt Sherry will have memories from Club 33 that will last for a long time to come.

 

[Phoenixrising]

Well, I'm off to Edmonton tonight. I can't pack for the kids until they get home from school, as they want to take their school backpacks for the trip. I do have all the stuff ready to pack in them though. Just have to do a bunch of little things and I'm good to go. I'm 90% packed for the DL trip on Sunday, but have to wait until the Edmonton trip is over with before I can transfer some things (my camera, it's batteries and my Kindle) into my carry on. I'm starting to get really excited about the DL trip and have started to bug the kids about it. Have a great day everyone!!

Trish

 

[KCmike]

I'm so excited for those of you leaving in the next couple of days! We leave a week from tomorrow......and I'm feeling pretty blessed right now. I've learned amazing things from this thread and have really enjoyed all the pictures and helpful hints.

Our first couple days are at HoJo and I was feeling sorry for myself that I couldn't just stay at PPH the entire vacation....then I got an email from HoJo and I'm guessing they have some vacancies! My first night (Dec 29) was the same rate but the next night (Dec 30) is 50% off!!!!! That made it $89 for a theme park view. You have to sign up for their emails but it paid off pretty well for me this trip. Certain nights have the same 50% discount and you have to print the email which shows your name (and thus proves you received the offer personally) and present it upon check-in.

We are flying to hubby's hometown for Christmas week and our flight home is now $76 less than it was when I booked it (SW Airlines). All I did was change to the current price and now I have a credit to be used on a later trip.

Did I mention I get to experience Disneyland for the first time in a little over a week?

Congrats Kathy on your upcoming trip! You will have a blast for sure. That's an awesome rate for a good neighbor that's within walking distance and then the savings on the flight as well. Wow. We got a great deal on Southwest too. We plan on using on savings for a Mom and Dad getaway next year.

Again have a great trip and report back to us!!






Rope Drop Gear by KC MikeD, on Flickr