Disneyland at Christmas/Holiday Season Superthread #4

[planningjollyholiday]

Was just on mousewait, saw some of great pics of the holiday happenings. Mrs clause was infact missing from the parade today like a pp earlier reported, and peppermint ice cream spotted at Gibson girl.



Oops not peppermint, i meant crushed candy cane ice cream.

 

[Sherry E]

I am a little confused. What is the difference between Early Magic Hours and Magic Mornings? I think one has to do with if you are staying on property, but what is the other one? Or are they the same thing? Thanks!

I am so excited by all the news that came out today. I seriously cannot wait to see the gingerbread house.

I am still trying to watch Nightmare Before Christmas before we go, but with the Countdown to Christmas on Hallmark, I haven't found time yet! Plus I am not sure my husband is interested in it.

Tracy --

EMHs are essentially available every single day of an onsite hotel guest's stay (at any of the 3 hotels), and they can be used for either DL or DCA, depending on which park is available for early entry that day (there will be signs designating which park is available for early entry around the hotels).

MMs, can be explained as, from the Disneyland website:

Disneyland Resort Guests (with valid 3+ day ticket) enjoy one early admission (during the duration of theme park ticket or Southern California CityPASS) to select attractions, stores, entertainment and dining locations in Disneyland park for one full hour before the parks open to the general public on select days.

So, EMH is an every day thing, to one park or the other, for onsite hotels guests only, and MM can only be used on one day, and only at Disneyland, if the guest has a 3-day ticket or more.

I think that Tuesdays and Thursdays are or used to be Disneyland early entry days for EMH or for MM, as were/are Saturdays and Sundays. I don't know if that has changed.

Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays should be DCA days for EMH guests only (again, assuming nothing has changed).

Oops not peppermint, i meant crushed candy cane ice cream.

planningjollyholiday --

I wonder if it was actually the ice cream, or the cone. Last year people were getting the cones covered with crushed candy canes confused with the peppermint ice cream, because there was a sign advertising the cone itself in the ice cream shops.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Holiday parades and fireworks starting today! Question - is there any kind of pre-show before the fireworks with a castle lighting, similar to what happens at WDW? If so, what time is this?

Pheran --

The schedule for the Wintertime Enchantment Lighting -- which is what DLR has -- seems to be a mystery. I don't see it on the DLR calendar at all, and I don't even see it in my Times Guide from December of 2013, but it was definitely happening every night. In 2013 the Lighting was listed for certain dates on the calendar and not for others -- even though it was happening every night. Maybe DLR just decided to leave it off of the calendar, for whatever reason, but it will still be happening.

Maybe Bret/mvf-m11c might remember the times?

Just as Sherry said that the castle lighting show is called "Sleeping Beauty Wintertime Enchantment Lighting" which happens every night during the holiday season at DL. The show is not on the official website calendar and the same thing for the time guide. I remember the show times when they have it every night. When BIHM fireworks start at 9:25pm, the two Wintertime Enchantment Lighting shows start at 7:30pm and 8:30pm since I was staking out a spot for BIHM fireworks and seen both shows.

 

[MinnieM21]

planningjollyholiday --

I wonder if it was actually the ice cream, or the cone. Last year people were getting the cones covered with crushed candy canes confused with the peppermint ice cream, because there was a sign advertising the cone itself in the ice cream shops.

I think you're right, it sounds like it's just the cone. It says "Holiday Waffle Cone Flavor" and then underneath it "Crushed Candy Cane."

 

[Sherry E]

Bret --

Thank you so much for answering Pheran's question! I an endlessly confused as to why the Enchantment Lighting is left off of the calendar on the website as well as left off of the Times Guide. It seems to me that in past years -- maybe 2012 and earlier? -- the Lighting was listed on the Times Guide or on the map. Maybe I am imagining it?

I hope that the giant gingerbread house/hot cocoa counter is going to be up and running at the GCH by the time you get to DLR! I don't know how long it takes to build those houses, but it seems like they'd need to already be working on it if it were going to be up by the first weekend of the holidays?

​

I think you're right, it sounds like it's just the cone. It says "Holiday Waffle Cone Flavor" and then underneath it "Crushed Candy Cane."

MinnieM21 --

Yes, indeed. I just found the photo and the comments underneath it and it does appear to be a case of peppermint chaos & confusion once again. People see that sign and mistakenly think it is the ice cream that's being advertised.

The sign -- while it has different colors and a new design this year -- basically says the same thing that it said last year, in reference to the cone itself. And the Dreyer's Peppermint Stick logo/reference is totally gone from it.

Now it is possible that the actual peppermint ice cream may arrive at DLR's ice cream shops for the holidays (the season has not officially begun yet, so there is still time -- maybe Disney didn't want to advertise Dreyer's Peppermint ice cream when they weren't sure if they'd get any in this year), but right now I think that all they have is the cone with crushed candy cane bits on it.

 

[OHBelle]

Tracy -- EMHs are essentially available every single day of an onsite hotel guest's stay (at any of the 3 hotels), and they can be used for either DL or DCA, depending on which park is available for early entry that day (there will be signs designating which park is available for early entry around the hotels). MMs, can be explained as, from the Disneyland website: So, EMH is an every day thing, to one park or the other, for onsite hotels guests only, and MM can only be used on one day, and only at Disneyland, if the guest has a 3-day ticket or more. I think that Tuesdays and Thursdays are or used to be Disneyland early entry days for EMH or for MM, as were/are Saturdays and Sundays. I don't know if that has changed. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays should be DCA days for EMH guests only (again, assuming nothing has changed).

Sherry
Thank you, that makes sense to me now. I appreciate your response. Since we are staying offsite, but will have 3 day tickets we will be eligible for MM.

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Thank you, for the CP, info Sherry. I've also been trying to find updated info, especially now that we are into November. If indeed Beau Bridges is the narrator, wouldn't there be a second person? (I mean one narrator for each show on each night)? Or (remember I have never gone to a CP before this year) would one person do all 4 shows? I realize this info may not be released until December 6th, same with actual times. Thank you for this and all the wonderful info you have provided within this thread.

 

[Sherry E]

Sherry
Thank you, that makes sense to me now. I appreciate your response. Since we are staying offsite, but will have 3 day tickets we will be eligible for MM.

Tracy -- You're welcome!

Yes, since you'll have the 3-day tickets, then one of those days will be a Disneyland Magic Morning and you'll be able to access the park one hour early.

​

Thank you, for the CP, info Sherry. I've also been trying to find updated info, especially now that we are into November. If indeed Beau Bridges is the narrator, wouldn't there be a second person? (I mean one narrator for each show on each night)? Or (remember I have never gone to a CP before this year) would one person do all 4 shows? I realize this info may not be released until December 6th, same with actual times. Thank you for this and all the wonderful info you have provided within this thread.

flyingdumbo127 --

You're welcome!

I'm 99% certain that the CP times will be exactly the same as they are every year -- 5:30 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. I only allow the 1% wiggle room in case there is rain, or some sort of unexpected event.

The reliable rumor that I found on another site -- which came from someone who just happens to be a member of this site -- is that Beau Bridges would narrate both nights (meaning all 4 shows over the 2 nights).

Prior to 2012 (which is the year when there were 20 nights of the CP), that was how it often worked -- with one narrator for both nights. I think that in 2011 the narrator for both nights was Gary Sinise.

When 2012 kind of opened up the field, let's say, and suddenly we had 20 nights and 40 performances of the CP, there was room for many narrators to step in. Some of them narrated for 2 or 3 nights in a row (multiple performances), and some narrated for only one night/two performances.

Last year, we were back down to 2 nights but we had one narrator for each night.

This year -- if the Beau Bridges rumor turns out to be true -- we'd be going back to how it was pre-2012.

I'd rather that Jeff Bridges narrated instead of Beau, but oh well.

 

[ExcitedMama]

You guys really have me missing Christmas movies! We are cord cutters who are very happy with our Roku, but is there anyway to get hallmark movies streaming?

 

[krispin41]

I need some insight.

So my trip will be Wednesday Dec 10th-Dec 13, staying at DLH, It's a solo trip so I can be very flexible. And it's my first trip during the Holidays.

My flight lands at SNA around 8:30pm, and DL is set to close at 10pm. I have a shuttle already paid for (did a package through Walt Disney Travel). Do you think I have any chance to spend any minute in the Park that night? I would honestly just check in to the hotel, leave my bags with bell services and sprint to the Park...or should I take a taxi and save some time? I have a four day hopper...and a day would be wasted if I didn't get into the Park that night... (My flight on Saturday doesn't leave until 7:30pm, so I would have some time in the Park on my last day.) I was thinking if I could not make it into the Park, I would hit up Trader Sam's and maybe soak up some atmosphere/shop DTD.

I have seen Fantasmic! twice, both times with the Dessert seating, which of course is going away due to the new Fast Pass system in place which opens on Friday 12/12. I was planning on booking the Holiday Tour for 12/12, but was wondering if I should skip F! and just focus on finding a good spot for the Fireworks? My gut is saying skip it and enjoy the Fireworks and other night time fun and wait until they work the kinks out.. (And I have plans to visit the Parks in 2015 anyway).

I already have a reservation for the WOC lunch on 12/11.

And last but not least, since I am traveling solo would you still purchase a PhotoPass+. I loved it for my last two trips, but that was when I was travelling with my DH.

 

[planningjollyholiday]

Oh man, too bad about the ice cream. Didn't mean to get everyone's hopes up only to crush them!!! I really want to try it so hopefully it will be there next week!
Sherry we don't have any of the brands of ice cream you mentioned in your other reply post. Oddly enough we have a brand named Breyers, but not dryers. We live really close to the border, so i may have to take a trip across and see what fun holiday treats i can find in the states!

 

[mvf-m11c]

Bret --

Thank you so much for answering Pheran's question! I an endlessly confused as to why the Enchantment Lighting is left off of the calendar on the website as well as left off of the Times Guide. It seems to me that in past years -- maybe 2012 and earlier? -- the Lighting was listed on the Times Guide or on the map. Maybe I am imagining it?

I hope that the giant gingerbread house/hot cocoa counter is going to be up and running at the GCH by the time you get to DLR! I don't know how long it takes to build those houses, but it seems like they'd need to already be working on it if it were going to be up by the first weekend of the holidays?

​

Your welcome. It is interesting that the DLR doesn't have the Enchantment Lighting on the website or the time guide. I looked at the 2008 time guide and park map that I have kept over the years and haven't seen it on the guide. But on the park map, it does talk about SB Winter Castle Enchantment Lighting but it doesn't show the times of the lighting. Also on the park map, it shows what is being offered like BIHM fireworks, A Christmas Fantasy parade, IASWH, HMH, Santa's Reindeer Round-Up/JJJ.

I will look at the GCH for the giant gingerbread house/hot cocoa counter during my upcoming trip next week. It sounds like this giant gingerbread house/hot coca counter is something similar to the Grand Floridian Hotel at WDW gingerbread house during the holiday season.

This is the gingerbread house/drink counter at the GF Hotel during the holiday season at WDW.

 

[HappiestHaunt]

Wow just caught the news that Fantasmic will be a ticketed event at Disneyland starting 12/12 this year. All the front areas for the show are for reserved meal packages only. Knowing that those are all walkway leading up to the show, the logistics of that sounds nightmarish, plus I don't think it is worth paying extra at River Bell or BB or Hungry Bear to get a fastpass for Fantasmic. This has put a small damper on our Christmas trip as our daughter loves to see the show.

 

[kylie71]

Beautiful picture Brett, of the Gingerbread house at the GF!
Where did you stay, when you went to the World?

--Lori

 

[KittyKat1978]

I just made a dinner reservation at Storytellers for Dec 2, and the buffet says it will be a Thanksgiving buffet. I went to Storytellers for dinner the first week of Dec in 2012 and it was a normal buffet.

Anyone been there last year this time? Was it still a Thanksgiving buffet the first week of Dec?

If no one knows, do you know who I can call to find out?

 

[AZpharmacist]

I just made a dinner reservation at Storytellers for Dec 2, and the buffet says it will be a Thanksgiving buffet. I went to Storytellers for dinner the first week of Dec in 2012 and it was a normal buffet. Anyone been there last year this time? Was it still a Thanksgiving buffet the first week of Dec? If no one knows, do you know who I can call to find out?

Oh man I hope it is! I'll book also. I'm hosting Thanksgiving but leaving for Cali the day after, so I'll be giving away all leftovers to my family.

 

[petals]

petals --

Disneyland's press releases don't have photos, as a rule, but today's release gave more info and details than what the Parks Blog gave -- when they usually seem to give about the same amount of details. I'd rather have more info (because we have been lacking info).

No one knows when the gingerbread house will go up at the GCH. As I was saying to figment_jii on the previous page, if ever there were a time to get the hotels ready early in the season and not dilly dally until right before Thanksgiving, it would be when a new gingerbread house and hot cocoa counter were debuting at the GCH -- especially because that house has now been announced in a press release.

I'm sure the gingerbread house will be there at some point during your trip. If the hotel decorations are not in place by 11/13, as I've mentioned in the past, I think they will go up at least by 11/18 or so. They'll be up by the pre-Thanksgiving weekend.

Good I wanna see that as well

Did you see that Paris got Santy Claws as well. I wonder will Disneyland get him and it's just not annouced yet. They seem fairly slow with the information they give out.

 

[dolphingirl47]

I am all packed and ready to go. I still have to work tomorrow and then I am going straight from work to the airport. We fly out on Monday morning.

Corinna

 

[Sherry E]

Have a great time on the first leg of your journey, Corinna!

I know that you are doing DLR, Aulani and DLR back-to-back, so I don't know if you'll have time to check in with us in the midst of all of that, or if it will have to wait until you get home. Either way, have an awesome trip, an awesome birthday, an awesome Thanksgiving and an awesome first-time-to-Disneyland-during-the-holiday-season visit, and be sure to report back to us with your thoughts when you return.

​

I will come back later and respond to/comment on some posts that have come in (I have to take care of some odds and ends now), but I wanted to mention a few things:


1. I must have gingerbread on the brain, as now I am dreaming of gingerbread Castles!

After yesterday's exciting revelation/news that there would be a 6-ft tall gingerbread house with a hot cocoa window in the GCH lobby, I was pondering the layout of the GCH lobby in my mind and where the house could possibly go, without rearranging everything in the center of the room. Then, I was also pondering the fact that Erin at the Parks Blog did not mention this new house in her blog from yesterday. The press release had more details than the Blog did, for a change. I am going to assume that Erin will do a separate blog on the GCH gingerbread house when it is just about to go up.

Anyway, after all of this pondering over the new GCH gingerbread house -- and what might become of the fake gingerbread Castle that sat in the Disneyland Hotel's Fantasy Tower lobby last year -- I ended up having a dream that the same fake Castle from the DLH got moved to the GCH lobby!

In my dream, apparently the fake gingerbread Castle popped up in the GCH lobby overnight, and the whole layout of the lobby looked different -- like it had been given a different theme. The lighting had changed too. Passersby and onlookers were critiquing the fake gingerbread Castle from afar, saying that it didn't really fit the décor. Meanwhile, some random person walked in and said that the Disneyland Hotel had no decorations at all;



2. Non-Disneyland stuff..... In Peppermint Pandemonium/Holiday Hoopla food news (info obtained from GrubGrade, the Junk Food Guy and Consumerist):

Recent and upcoming seasonal foods on the store shelves include:

A. Peppermint Chocolate Chip Milkshake from Chick-fil-A;

B. Snyder’s of Hanover Pretzel Dips Peppermint Pretzel Snaps Made With Hershey’s Special Dark; and

C. Oreo-flavored and colored Churros!!!; and




3. If you haven't already done so, don't forget to post your "Holiday Cornucopia" Theme Week photos by tomorrow night -- Sunday, 11/9/14 -- at 11:59 p.m., P.S.T., to be entered into the Disney gift card random draw. This is our final Theme Week of the Theme Week Countdown for this year, and I am randomly choosing the 2 winners (from the photo contributors) early on Monday morning, 11/10.

The Holiday Cornucopia theme can include any kind of holiday season photo or wintry photo, as long as it belongs to you and is your property. The photos don't have to be Disneyland holiday photos -- you can choose a favorite family holiday photo, or a photo of a snowy scene somewhere, or a holiday photo from another Disney theme park. Or, you may want to post DLR holiday photos that didn't make it into previous theme weeks!!

​

 

[dolphingirl47]

Have a great time on the first leg of your journey, Corinna!

I know that you are doing DLR, Aulani and DLR back-to-back, so I don't know if you'll have time to check in with us in the midst of all of that, or if it will have to wait until you get home. Either way, have an awesome trip, an awesome birthday, an awesome Thanksgiving and an awesome first-time-to-Disneyland-during-the-holiday-season visit, and be sure to report back to us with your thoughts when you return.

I should be able to check in while I am there. My iPad is charging and definitely will be coming.

Corinna