Disneyland at Christmas/Holiday Season Superthread #4

[Sherry E]

It’s Thursday, which means it’s time for another theme in the rapid fire Daily Countdown to the holiday season!!!

……Only 14 DAYS Until the
Holiday Season Begins at the Disneyland Resort!!!!
​

Each day this week – from today through Sunday, November 2nd – there will be a new Disneyland Resort holiday mini-theme!! Unlike the weekly themes, the 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 a $25 Disney gift card. If you don’t have photos to fit the daily themes, check back on the following day as there will be a new theme posted every morning (times may differ).

The weekly themes are over, with the exception of our final theme on Monday, November 3rd, 2014 – Holiday Cornucopia (more on that later this week).

I think that a few people in this thread will have photos to fit today’s 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 the daily themes in on time. Muahahahahahahaha! Anyone who can get his/her photos in on the days the mini-daily themes go up [by 11:59 p.m., Pacific Standard Time] will receive TWO entries for each entry / contribution!!

Up to this point, we have covered a lot of territory. We have explored: Holiday Horticulture (a.k.a. Holiday Flowers and Plants); [Critter Country & Grizzly Peak; the Jingle Cruise; Holiday Treats & Treasures (a.k.a. Food & Merchandise); Holidays Gone By; Pacific Wharf and Paradise Pier; Christmas Trees and Wreaths; Frontierland and the Jingle Jangle Jamboree; Main Street and Sleeping Beauty’s Winter Castle; New Orleans Square and Haunted Mansion Holiday; Cars Land; Hotels of the Disneyland Resort; Mickey’s Toontown; Buena Vista Street and Hollywood Land; It’s a Small World Holiday and Fantasyland; A Christmas Fantasy Parade and Believe…In Holiday Magic Fireworks; and Holiday Character photos, PhotoPass photos and Santa Claus photos.

So…what will be our eighteenth theme (and fourth daily mini-theme) of 2014? In the spotlight today are critters of a different kind…

In the Spotlight Today ......

A BUG’S LAND!!!​

Much like Toontown, New Orleans Square and Cars Land, the Christmas decorations you find in A Bug’s Land in California Adventure are whimsically unlike any decorations you will find anywhere else in Disneyland Resort. They are very specific to the theme of the land, and really could not fit with any other area of the Resort.

As soon as you enter Flik’s Fun Fair you see that the Bugs have been getting ready for the holidays, stringing up giant (to us) colored lights and setting up enormous ornaments. Flik even puts on a special “red suit” for the occasion!

You will notice that the seasonal touches in A Bug’s Land are not overdone in that they are fairly minimal in the grand scheme of things – and in sharp contrast to other areas of Disneyland Resort – but they are minimal in an oversized way, of course!! In other words, there are no Christmas trees taking center stage. There are no reindeer prancing ‘round the shrubbery. The code word is: gets. There are no gingerbread houses, giant snowmen or snowflakes nestled in the foliage. But, what is there, however, is very fitting to A Bug’s Land’s theme and it is enough to indicate that these kinds of critters love to celebrate the holiday season too!

November 2013


The entrance to Flik’s Fun Fair…

Inside the Fair…

December 2011

Giant ornaments…

November 2013

November 2012

Someone’s hiding in the shadows…

​

Please feel free to post your photos of A Bug’s Land TODAY (Thursday, October 30th, 2014) ONLY, through 11:59 p.m., P.S.T.

Then, stay tuned for our nineteenth theme on Friday, October 31st – that’s TOMORROW, and it’s also HALLOWEEN!! – as we continue this ‘lightning round’ with our fifth Daily Mini-Theme of the week!! Although we are rapidly approaching the end of this year’s Countdown, we still have 4 more themes coming up over the next 4 days, so get your photos ready and jump into the fun while you still can!

 

[rentayenta]

Bug's Land is one of the best during the holidays. Great photos Sherry!

 

[mom2rtk]

IMG_7144 by mom2rtk, on Flickr

 

[Orbitron]

I only have one picture!

 

[kylie71]

I think I only have one, or a couple........

 

[OhioStateBuckeye]

I'll be at DL from January 14-20. I know it's a long shot, but might some of the holiday ride overlays still be up then? Anyone have any guesses from past years info?

 

[Sherry E]

I'll be at DL from January 14-20. I know it's a long shot, but might some of the holiday ride overlays still be up then? Anyone have any guesses from past years info?

OhioStateBuckeye --

I think that It's a Small World Holiday will probably be open at the start of your trip, if not for the whole trip, as that usually stays up until mid-January, closer to MLK Day. I'm not sure how far into January it stays open (in other words, I'm not sure if it always closes after MLK Day or sometimes before it), but it will likely still be open on at least the first day or two of your trip.

If previous years' patterns repeat, Haunted Mansion Holiday would be closed while IASWH remains open, and then "regular Haunted Mansion" should reopen (without the overlay) when IASWH closes for its own overlay removal. I don't expect that Jingle Cruise would remain in holiday mode beyond 1/6/15, but if the decorations are similar to last year's decorations the Jungle Cruise ride could stay open while they are taken down.

I should add that, because next year is the 60th anniversary year for DL, I don't know if the schedules for the removal of ride overlays will change in any way. I saw in one thread that Haunted Mansion is expected to be down for 10 days, starting on 1/12/15? That would be odd, since the holidays end after 1/6/15, but who knows? Also, the Disney Parks Blog said a while back that Haunted Mansion Holiday would be open through 1/6/15.

 

[mvf-m11c]

A Bug’s Land




Giant Ornaments

 

[gottalovepluto]

I saw on Touring Plans Storybook Canal Boats are down Dec 1-18. Is this normal? I thought they decorated it for Christmas. Any insight/guesses as to whether Disney will decorate this one when it will be down for so long in the middle of the Christmas season?

 

[Sherry E]

I saw on Touring Plans Storybook Canal Boats are down Dec 1-18. Is this normal? I thought they decorated it for Christmas. Any insight/guesses as to whether Disney will decorate this one when it will be down for so long in the middle of the Christmas season?

gottalovepluto -

I've seen that same refurb schedule floating around too -- it's wasn't normal prior to last year. Prior to last year, the Storybook ride would shut down for a period of time in November, and then open up with the tiny Christmas decorations by Thanksgiving weekend, at which point it would stay up for the rest of the holiday season.

Last year, there were tiny decorations on the ride right before and through Thanksgiving weekend, but the ride closed down until mid-December -- at which point it opened with decorations again.

So it seems like Disney wants to have the ride open (with decorations) for the busy Thanksgiving weekend, and have it open in time for the wave of Christmas week visitors, but it closes, for some weird reason, in the slightly slower period of time during early December. I have no idea why it is planned out that way, in comparison to what used to happen pre-2013.

 

[mom2rtk]

I saw on Touring Plans Storybook Canal Boats are down Dec 1-18. Is this normal? I thought they decorated it for Christmas. Any insight/guesses as to whether Disney will decorate this one when it will be down for so long in the middle of the Christmas season?

I'm really bummed about this too. We missed it last year (Casey Jr. too since they go down at the same time) and were planning on catching it this year. I'm disappointed they would choose to close it again the vey same week.

 

[OHBelle]

It’s Thursday, which means it’s time for another theme in the rapid fire Daily Countdown to the holiday season!!!

In the Spotlight this Week......

A BUG’S LAND!!!​

Much like Toontown, New Orleans Square and Cars Land, the Christmas decorations you find in A Bug’s Land in California Adventure are whimsically unlike any decorations you will find anywhere else in Disneyland Resort. They are very specific to the theme of the land, and really could not fit with any other area of the Resort.

As soon as you enter Flik’s Fun Fair you see that the Bugs have been getting ready for the holidays, stringing up giant (to us) colored lights and setting up enormous ornaments. Flik even puts on a special “red suit” for the occasion!

You will notice that the seasonal touches in A Bug’s Land are not overdone in that they are fairly minimal in the grand scheme of things – and in sharp contrast to other areas of Disneyland Resort – but they are minimal in an oversized way, of course!! In other words, there are no Christmas trees taking center stage. There are no reindeer prancing ‘round the shrubbery. The code word is: gets. There are no gingerbread houses, giant snowmen or snowflakes nestled in the foliage. But, what is there, however, is very fitting to A Bug’s Land’s theme and it is enough to indicate that these kinds of critters love to celebrate the holiday season too!

I'm a little embarrassed to admit that I didn't even realize that there was A Bug's Land! I better up my planning game. It might be that I am not the biggest fan of the movie or that I haven't been to DLR since 1980! I do love the Holiday touches in the area though and will make a trip over there to see them.

 

[Jenasweetemotion]

I don't have a single picture from Bugs Land. I guess I know where to wonder to this year.

 

[krispin41]

I'm really bummed about this too. We missed it last year (Casey Jr. too since they go down at the same time) and were planning on catching it this year. I'm disappointed they would choose to close it again the vey same week.

Ditto. My first day is the 10th and I don't get in until late.

 

[pattyduke34]

A few I have...

 

[Sherry E]

(Non-DLR-related) Holiday music alert!

Does anyone ever listen to SiriusXM's holiday stations in November and December? They have two stations that usually run longer than others, but there are 8 holiday stations in total. Well, the new schedule was announced. The press release is -- HERE.

SiriusXM's holiday channel lineup features:

Holiday Traditions (via satellite on Sirius channel 147 and XM channel 73)
will feature traditional holiday music from the '40s through the '60s by artists such as Andy Williams, Ray Conniff, Bing Crosby and Nat "King" Cole.
Tuesday, November 11 at 12:00 pm ET- Wednesday, December 31 at 3:00 am ET

Holly (via satellite on channel 17)
will feature contemporary holiday music as well as traditional favorites, including songs by Idina Menzel, Kelly Clarkson, Josh Groban, Michael Buble, Mariah Carey, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Colbie Caillat, Whitney Houston and the cast of Pentatonix.
Tuesday, November 11 at 12:00 pm ET- Wednesday, December 31 at 3:00 am ET
Holly is also a year round online channel, on channel 781. http://www.siriusxm.com/hollyonline.

Holiday Pops (via satellite on channel 76)
will feature classical Christmas carols and other holiday favorites by the greatest classical musicians of all-time, including the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, Boston Pops, Luciano Pavarotti, The New York Philharmonic, King's College Choir and Thomas Hampson.
Wednesday, December 24 at 12:00 pm ET- Friday, December 26 at 3:00 am ET

Country Christmas (via satellite on channel 58)
will feature a mix of country Christmas music from contemporary artists as well as classic country artists, including Garth Brooks, Carrie Underwood and Lady Antebellum.
Tuesday, December 2 at 12:00 pm ET- Friday, December 26 at 3:00 am ET

Navidad (SiriusXM channel 785)
will feature contemporary Latin holiday music and with traditional classics, including Jose Feliciano, Willie Colon, Gloria Estefan, Marco Antonio Solis, El Gran Combo and Thalia.
Tuesday, December 2 at 12:00 pm ET- Wednesday, January 7 at 3:00 am ET

Holiday Soul (via satellite on channel 49)
will feature classic soul and Motown holiday music from the '60s and '70s as well as R&B from the '80s and '90s including Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin, Michael Jackson, Luther Vandross, Smokey Robinson & The Miracles, Dionne Warwick, The Four Tops, The Supremes, The O'Jays, James Brown, The Temptations, Lou Rawls and Toni Braxton.
Friday, December 19 at 12:00 pm ET - Friday, December 26 at 3:00 am ET

Radio Hanukkah (via satellite on channel 68)
will feature a wide variety of Hanukkah music including contemporary, traditional and children's Hanukkah classics.
Tuesday, December 16 at 12:00 pm ET- Thursday, December 25 at 3:00 am ET

New Year's Nation (via satellite on channel 3)
is the ultimate soundtrack to New Year's Eve parties around the country and will feature the biggest, upbeat party hits from genres across SiriusXM's music platform.
Wednesday, December 31 at 12:00 pm ET - Friday, January 2 at 3:00 am ET

(Note that Holly is available online year-round, but you can only access it if you have an Internet subscription or a trial subscription. It is available on the actual radio as of 11/11/14)

I have a hard time finding a moment to listen to the stations when the Hallmark Channel's movies are on as background sound (I just cleared off a bunch of space on the DVR yesterday, so I am ready for the movies to begin tomorrow!!!), but in a rare moment when the TV is not on and I want to stay in the holiday spirit, I turn on the radio.

​

 

[poppinspal]

So I'm going to be there November 12-17. How much of the decorations will I see? Don't want to get myself excited if I'm going to not see any of it. I know it won't be 100% decorated but I'm really hoping I get an early taste of the holidays.

 

[crystal1313]

Thanks Sherry! I have Sirius in my car! Looking forward to the Holiday Soul station =) I'm currently addicted to the 60's station

I have been listening to my Main Street Christmas loop non-stop at work since September too! LOL

So I'm going to be there November 12-17. How much of the decorations will I see? Don't want to get myself excited if I'm going to not see any of it. I know it won't be 100% decorated but I'm really hoping I get an early taste of the holidays.

The official start date is November 13...so you should be able to see everything

 

[Brunolvr]

I've been checking the DL calendar and they're still not showing parade times, firework times, etc. for the days we are there. We arrive on Tuesday, December 2nd. Any ideas of what time fireworks might be? and the DL parade?

Also any thoughts on when the Holiday Time Tours will be offered since DL is only open 9-9 on Tuesday-Thursday?

Thanks!

 

[Sherry E]

So I'm going to be there November 12-17. How much of the decorations will I see? Don't want to get myself excited if I'm going to not see any of it. I know it won't be 100% decorated but I'm really hoping I get an early taste of the holidays.

poppinspal --

The season officially begins on Thursday, 11/13 (an odd day to start a season, in my opinion -- why not a Monday or a Friday?). A lot of things are starting before that date, on 11/7 (see this post for info on what is beginning on which dates).

Both parks will be fully decorated by the time of your trip. All of the holiday entertainment in both parks will have either already begun by the dates of your trip, or will begin during your trip. The Storybook ride may or may not be decorated when the season begins.

The only other areas I am not 100% certain of are Downtown Disney and the 3 Hotels.

The Olaf ice rink and the Winter Village are scheduled to return this year, but -- as we all know -- the Avengers Marathon weekend is taking place through 11/16, so I am not sure if the rink, Christmas tree and Village will go up in DTD on 11/13 when the season begins, or even before 11/17. They may not go up until at least after 11/16.

The 3 hotels (including reindeer figures at the GCH, and giant gingerbread Castle at the DLH, etc.) will probably, most likely, begin to get some décor anywhere from 11/18-11/21. I don't think the hotels will be decorated by your trip, as they are usually done after the season gets going.