Disneyland at Christmas/Holiday Season Superthread #4

[Sherry E]

Hi Sherry - I only saw the clothing at Elias & Co. I looked at Showcase (all either Halloween or kids costumes) and the Emporium and didn't see it at either. My other guess would have been the Frontierland clothing shop, but it didn't see anything there either. So, maybe Elias & Co was early! Honestly, I was pretty surprised to see some holiday clothes already out in September! I got the white shirt/light weight sweatshirt with the ornaments. The black shirt was made of lightweight t-shirt material (I think). I really liked the black one that said "Believe" but I think it would be too warm for me, even in the winter.

figment_jii --

All of them were all pretty cute and had nice designs on them. I'll be interested to see what kinds of other merchandise pops up this month and next!

So how crowded exactly is the holiday season at both parks? I'll be in on Monday and Tuesday (December 22nd and 23rd).

I typically go in June or July (even went during grad nights last year). It was packed, but bearable. Is the holiday season even worse?

WTFetus --

I don't know if it's possible to pinpoint exactly how crowded it will be, but you are going to be there just 2-3 days before Christmas and many people are out on breaks from work and school. The holiday season is very, very popular at Disneyland, and when a lot of people are available to head to the parks, they will be there.

The holiday season is peak season, just like Summer is, so expect comparable crowds at times. There will likely be pockets of time when the crowds thin out and don't seem as bad -- in fact, if a lot of people are afraid of running into crowds in the week of Christmas they may just choose to head to DLR during a week they expect it to be less crowded (like before Thanksgiving or something).

There will be other times when it is really, really crowded. Crowds will build and concentrate in different spots during the day, but not in others.

I think the one thing that will make it bearable for you is the fact that a lot of people have family obligations or plans that they adhere to before and through 12/25, and many folks will not actually show up until late in the day on 12/25 or on 12/26 (that's when the real crowded fun begins!). So you will dodge a large part of the wave of people arriving at DLR by leaving a couple of days ahead of time...but you will still encounter some crowds here and there.

If you thought Summer and Grad Night crowds were bearable, you'll probably be fine! At least, if you go in expecting crowds, you won't be shocked if you encounter them. If you don't encounter them it will be a welcome relief!

 

[Sherry E]

It’s Monday -- and it’s time for the Theme Week Countdown!!

……Only 38 DAYS Until the
Holiday Season Begins at the Disneyland Resort!!!!
​

With each new week will come a different Disneyland Resort holiday theme!

As I have previously mentioned in this Superthread, I’ll be showcasing a particular aspect of DLR's holiday festivities each week until early November. Including today’s theme, there are still many more themes to come over the next four weeks: 3 main weekly themes (this Countdown began with the first theme on 7/21/14, and there will be a new weekly theme every Monday from today, October 6, 2014, through October 20, 2014); 7 ‘mini-themes’ which will be featured daily from 10/27/14 – 11/2/14, and a final “Holiday Cornucopia/These Are a Few of My Favorite Things” theme on Monday, November 3, 2014 (there will be more details about what the “Cornucopia” can include when we get closer to that date!).

Those of you who have participated in previous Theme Week Countdowns may have noticed that this year’s Countdown began a couple of weeks earlier than it did last year. I kicked off the Countdown two weeks earlier than I did in 2013, and I am ending it the week before the Holidays at DLR officially commence (which will be Thursday, November 13, 2014). The reason for that is, once November starts and the decorations in the parks appear little by little each day, our attention shifts to learning information about and seeing photos of what is new for the current season’s celebration.

Theme Week Countdowns are a great way to keep the photos rolling in on a regular basis and build anticipation for November at the Disneyland Resort! They are also a way to display the different elements, nuances and details of the Holidays at DLR that may be totally new to some visitors…or previously unnoticed/undiscovered by others. Finally, this is an excellent way for our Theme Week Countdown participants to shine a light on their wonderful photos and attract visitors to their Trip Reports, blogs, etc.

Last week, we discovered the many different types of themed Christmas Trees and Wreaths around Disneyland Resort. Previously, we enjoyed the holidays with a rustic, Western flair in Frontierland and at the Jingle Jangle Jamboree. Just before that we strolled along Main Street to soak in its small town holiday charm, and onward to the sparkling Sleeping Beauty’s Winter Castle, resplendent in snow and icicle lights. We have journeyed down the mystical, musical alleys of New Orleans Square and enjoyed Christmas with a Mardi Gras twist, including balconies draped in beads and lampposts adorned with mysterious masks. We also paid a visit to New Orleans Square’s most famous residence and met its temporary houseguest, Jack Skellington, as he attempted to put a bit of a “nightmarish” Halloween spin on the Yuletide season in Haunted Mansion Holiday. We revved up our engines and raced to Radiator Springs, where we observed some rather unusual Yuletide decorations done Cars Land-style. Just before that, we caught a glimpse of the special holiday offerings at the three Hotels of the Disneyland Resort. We visited the playful, animated, off-kilter world of Mickey’s Toontown. There is no code word today. Prior to that we stepped back in time to see how Christmas was celebrated on Buena Vista Street and in Hollywood Land in the 1920s through the 1940s, respectively. Not too long ago we also enjoyed the Yuletide season around the world as we sailed through It’s a Small World Holiday and strolled through Fantasyland. Before that, we reveled in the pageantry of A Christmas Fantasy Parade, and gazed in awe at the spectacular Believe…In Holiday Magic Fireworks. And we began this Countdown by showing off our best Holiday Character photos, PhotoPass photos and Santa Claus photos..

So…what will be our twelfth theme of 2014? Today let’s deck the halls by the sea!

In the Spotlight this Week......

PACIFIC WHARF and PARADISE PIER (including Winter Dreams and Viva Navidad!)!!!​

Of California Adventure’s two nautically-themed lands, Paradise Pier has the edge on Pacific Wharf in terms of seasonal embellishments and entertainment. From the large Christmas tree on the Pier, to wreaths and garland located on or near the Little Mermaid attraction, to the jubilant Viva Navidad -- and even a Winter version of World of Color -- Paradise Pier exhibits its love for the holidays in a variety of ways.

Prior to 2013, the Christmas celebration in Paradise Pier had been relatively understated. New on the scene last year were the lively, joyous Viva Navidad, a toe-tapping, hip-swaying Latino celebration filled with food, music and other unique offerings, and Winter Dreams (featuring Frozen’s Olaf in a prominent role) – otherwise known as World of Color with a Christmas twist.

While Viva Navidad got rave reviews, Winter Dreams’ reception was merely lukewarm. Both of these events will be back for the holiday season of 2014.

Pacific Wharf, on the other hand, while encompassing the feel of an authentic fisherman’s village, has very little in the way of Yuletide splendor. You won’t find many touches of the holidays around Pacific Wharf but the Ghirardelli store offers up free samples of its delicious peppermint bark to anyone who goes inside -- so it is a must-visit for any peppermint enthusiast!

Pacific Wharf


New in 2013…exciting garland hung over the entry to Ghirardelli (hey, it’s a start…)

Ghirardelli also gives out free samples of Peppermint Bark…

Boudin Bakery bread made in the shapes of candy canes, Christmas trees and creepy snowmen…

Paradise Pier


Ariel’s Grotto sea-themed tree (which is not in a good location, as the giant window in the background allows too much sun and light in to get a decent photo in the daytime)…

The whole area around World of Color - Winter Dreams was decorated with giant presents and candy sticks…

Just to give you an idea of where Viva Navidad takes place in Paradise Pier, notice that you can see the Paradise Pier Hotel in the background…

And I could see the Viva Navidad performers and floats from my PPH window!

More Viva Navidad fun!

PhotoPass spot…

Details…

Mickey…

The parade/celebration…

Part of the menu…

​

I may or may not post more photos during the week.

Please feel free to post your photos of Pacific Wharf and Paradise Pier all this week, through Sunday, October 12, 2014, 11:59 p.m., P.S.T.

Then, stay tuned for our thirteenth theme on Monday, October 13th!! We still have many themes coming up over the next 4 weeks, so get your photos ready!

 

[mvf-m11c]

Pacific Wharf




Viva Navidad








Menu at Paradise Garden Grill during Viva Navidad


Paradise Pier Christmas Tree


Little Mermaid ride decorations




The old Christmas decorations at Paradise Pier before Viva Navidad




World of Color: Winter Dreams

 

[stubby]

We did not get to see the Winter Dreams WOC last year. If it is indeed back this year we are definitely going. Do passes go quickly? Or can we do cars and then run over there?

Also wanted to say that I love our pics of the girls at the Viva Navidad and the costumes with Goofy and Minnie and Mickey and Donald.

 

[kylie71]

I only have a couple from the Pier area... nothing from the Navidad, or WOC

 

[mvf-m11c]

We did not get to see the Winter Dreams WOC last year. If it is indeed back this year we are definitely going. Do passes go quickly? Or can we do cars and then run over there?

WoC: Winter Dreams is confirmed that it will be back for the holiday season this year. As for FP's, it will depend on how many shows a night will play. Last year during the busy days, WoC: Winter Dreams was playing twice a night. This year with the original WoC, they have only been playing it once a night (even on the busy days during the summertime and weekends). If it goes like that unless the DLR changes it back to two shows a night, I would think of getting the WoC FP's after getting FP's for RSR since it is possible. The other thing is what spot you want to watch if from the blue or yellow section?

 

[stubby]

WoC: Winter Dreams is confirmed that it will be back for the holiday season this year. As for FP's, it will depend on how many shows a night will play. Last year during the busy days, WoC: Winter Dreams was playing twice a night. This year with the original WoC, they have only been playing it once a night (even on the busy days during the summertime and weekends). If it goes like that unless the DLR changes it back to two shows a night, I would think of getting the WoC FP's after getting FP's for RSR since it is possible. The other thing is what spot you want to watch if from the blue or yellow section?

Thank you for replying so fast. You are always helpful. Glad to hear it is for sure. I hope it will be twice per night that would be awesome.

 

[tksbaskets]

Great pictures everyone! I actually enjoyed the WOC Winter Dreams last December. We'll take it in again this year I'm sure.

I'll have pictures later in the week!

Once again Sherry - KUDOS for another fun theme week.

 

[Sherry E]

What We Know About the Upcoming Holiday Season​

• OFFICIAL/CONFIRMED -- "Holidays at the Disneyland Resort" begin on Thursday, November 13, 2014, and end on Tuesday, January 6, 2015 ;

• OFFICIAL/CONFIRMED -- Returning this year are: Haunted Mansion Holiday (which is currently already running as part of Disneyland's Halloween Time celebration, but will stay open through the Holidays); It's a Small World Holiday; Jingle Cruise; Believe in Holiday Magic Fireworks (in DL); A Christmas Fantasy Parade (in DL); Sleeping Beauty's Winter Castle (in DL); Disney Viva Navidad (in DCA); World of Color - Winter Dreams (in DCA); Olaf's Frozen Ice Rink (in DTD); and the Winter Village (in DTD);

• 
  OFFICIAL/CONFIRMED -- It's a Small World is scheduled to be closed from 10/20-11/6, which means that it will reopen as It's a Small World Holiday on Friday, November 7, 2014;

• OFFICIAL/CONFIRMED -- Big Thunder Ranch (currently in its Halloween Carnival mode) is scheduled to be closed in some capacity from 11/1-11/6, meaning it will reopen as the Jingle Jangle Jamboree (or whatever Disney is calling it this year) on Friday, November 7, 2014;

• OFFICIAL/CONFIRMED -- The Avengers Super Heroes Half-Marathon weekend takes place at Disneyland Resort from Friday, November 14, 2014 - Sunday, November 16, 2014.

• OFFICIAL/CONFIRMED -- The Candlelight Ceremony/Processional will take place on Saturday, December 6, 2014, and Sunday, December 7, 2014 (there will be 2 performances each night, and the narrators have not been announced); and

• OFFICIAL/CONFIRMED -- Carolers and special holiday activities will return on select nights in December in Downtown Disney; see this page for more details.

• OFFICIAL/CONFIRMED -- Three Kings Day will return to California Adventure from January 4 - 6, 2015;

​

• MAY OR MAY NOT BE COMING BACK IN 2014? -- Elf Days (in DCA).

​

• UNOFFICIAL, BUT PROBABLE -- Believe in Holiday Magic Fireworks, A Christmas Fantasy Parade and the Buena Vista Street Tree Lighting are likely to begin on Friday, November 7th;

• UNOFFICIAL, BUT PROBABLE -- A Christmas Fantasy Parade will most likely be taped over Friday, 11/7 and Saturday, 11/8, and some segments may possibly be taped in the days surrounding that weekend;

• UNOFFICIAL, BUT PROBABLE -- The Mad T Party's holiday show (in DCA) will likely return;

• UNOFFICIAL, BUT PROBABLE -- The 3 Hotels of the Disneyland Resort will likely not be fully decorated until approximately 6-9 days before Thanksgiving, while Santa Claus and the Dickens Carolers will probably not appear at the hotels until Thanksgiving Day; and

• UNOFFICIAL, BUT PROBABLE -- The Downtown Disney Winter Village and Olaf's Frozen Ice Rink will most likely not go up until after the Avengers Half-Marathon Weekend is over.

​

• RUMORS, RUMORS, RUMORS (not confirmed at all) -- A Frozen sing-along, ice rink and meet & greet could be coming to Hollywood Land in California Adventure. This was published in an article by the unofficial site MiceAge, but there has been no announcement of this by Disney at all.

​

Also see this Days/Dates/Events to Remember post on Page 1 of this thread, as I have updated it with the dates for Jazz Kitchen's Gingerbread House Building Workshop, and other significant dates that may impact your trips! (When the dates for the crafting of the famous handmade candy canes come out, I will add those in as well!)

​

Thank you for replying so fast. You are always helpful. Glad to hear it is for sure. I hope it will be twice per night that would be awesome.

stubby --

Just recently I posted the above list of what is returning and what is uncertain (Official/Unofficial)! This will give you an idea of what to expect.

​

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

I was at Target today and I find they are really lacking in the holiday flavored foods. I hate the grocery store, but I may have to make a trip to one. Target does however already have some of their Christmas decorations out.

Here are my pics for this week:

 

[pattyduke34]

Here are some for this weeks theme,,,I do not have any of WOC, tried to watch it last year but the program froze on them like 3 times and then cancelled it!

 

[tksbaskets]

pattyduke34 your picture of the PP gazebo at night is really great

 

[petals]

Another great theme! Sherry I like your pictures of the Ariel's Grotto tree. I know the lighting might seem bad but I think that makes it look more like the tree is "under the sea"

 

[WTFetus]

figment_jii --
WTFetus --

I don't know if it's possible to pinpoint exactly how crowded it will be, but you are going to be there just 2-3 days before Christmas and many people are out on breaks from work and school. The holiday season is very, very popular at Disneyland, and when a lot of people are available to head to the parks, they will be there.

The holiday season is peak season, just like Summer is, so expect comparable crowds at times. There will likely be pockets of time when the crowds thin out and don't seem as bad -- in fact, if a lot of people are afraid of running into crowds in the week of Christmas they may just choose to head to DLR during a week they expect it to be less crowded (like before Thanksgiving or something).

There will be other times when it is really, really crowded. Crowds will build and concentrate in different spots during the day, but not in others.

I think the one thing that will make it bearable for you is the fact that a lot of people have family obligations or plans that they adhere to before and through 12/25, and many folks will not actually show up until late in the day on 12/25 or on 12/26 (that's when the real crowded fun begins!). So you will dodge a large part of the wave of people arriving at DLR by leaving a couple of days ahead of time...but you will still encounter some crowds here and there.

If you thought Summer and Grad Night crowds were bearable, you'll probably be fine! At least, if you go in expecting crowds, you won't be shocked if you encounter them. If you don't encounter them it will be a welcome relief!

Thanks Sherry. I'm definitely expecting crowds, I was just hoping it wouldn't be like double grad-night population.
If it's somewhat close to grad-nights/summer days, it wouldn't be so bad.

 

[Sherry E]

Look! It's a Nog sighting! The Nogs are here!

Remember I said that the peppermint, cranberry and gingerbread products were slowly creeping in behind the pumpkin spice, candy corn and caramel apple products? And I said that the Eggnog stuff would be next (or coming soon).

International Delight has come through with some Nog -- HERE!!! And the carton has wintry snow-covered trees on it!

So we know that the Nestle Peppermint Drumsticks have been spotted, Breyer's Peppermint Cookie "dairy dessert" has been spotted, Sierra Mist Cranberry Splash has been spotted, Dreyer's/Edy's Peppermint Wonderland ice cream is on the shelves, Coffee Mate's "seasonal" creamers are out, as are International Delight's seasonal creamers...and now we have Nog!!!

Yes, yes, so it's early October. A minor detail.

​

 

[Phoenixrising]

Finally found something other than fruitcake in the stores today. They had Frankenberry and Count Chocula cereals for a limited time. Bought some Count Chocula for the kids. Since I hate commercially made fruitcake, found an old family recipe and making my last attempt at fruitcake on Sunday. I'm an excellent baker, so it's really annoying when I can't make something in baked goods that isn't up to my usual high standards. If these bomb, I'm offically giving up making it.

 

[rentayenta]

Wonderful photos so far! Here are some of mine:

The tree at BWP&P:

A poinsettia at BWP&P:

A purdy flower:

​

 

[ZiPaD3doDAH]

Hello!

Anyone have any direct links to reports ON christmas day parade taping days? Just found out the weekend I am going might be taping days *cries*

I am concerned about how bad wait times for rides will be during these days. I have no interest in seeing the taping.

 

[Sherry E]

Hello!

Anyone have any direct links to reports ON christmas day parade taping days? Just found out the weekend I am going might be taping days *cries*

I am concerned about how bad wait times for rides will be during these days. I have no interest in seeing the taping.

ZiPaD3doDAH --

Welcome!

The Christmas parade is taped in early November -- before the holiday season "officially" begins. It will be crowded in Disneyland around the taping areas and Main Street, I think, even though Disney doesn't really advertise the taping beforehand.

I don't know of any actual reports, but I asked Nancy Johnson, one of the DIS Unplugged correspondents, about what goes on during taping days. She has been in the parks on parade taping days at least a few times in the past.

Her comments (including about wait times) are in green at the bottom of this post (and you will see the questions I asked her in red): http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=52142080&postcount=1239

 

[mom2rtk]

Just a heads up for people making dining plans the first 2 weeks of December. Several people are reporting that Blue Bayou, Café Orleans and Big Thunder Ranch BBQ will be closed. I sure hope that turns out to be wrong, but word is that's what vacation planning is telling people. We planned to eat at all 3. I need some chicken gumbo and it seems they just took it right off the table.