Disneyland at Christmas/Holiday Season Superthread #4

[figment_jii]

I just remembered something about getting a deal if we purchase a photo pass prior to leaving for our trip....can someone fill me in on this? I think there was a link in a previous post but I'm not having much success in finding it.

Here's the link to the Disneyland Photopass:
http://disneyphotopass.com/specialoffers/dlrppp.htm

Yes, you need to purchase it at least 14-days before your trip and if you do, then there is a discounted price.

 

[egritz]

The Carnation Cafe from the 90's.....remember when you could sit at the counter inside? Loved that! My favorite thing was a grilled sandwich they made with roast beef (I think?) and it had melted cheese and avocado....it was so good! Couldn't you get ice cream sodas too?

I totally forgot about the old CC....if I'm not mistaken, this is it? This is from my senior year of high school spring band trip!

 

[Sherry E]

New:

"Dateline Adventureland: Lost Holiday Shipment Found Aboard the Jingle Cruise at Disneyland Park" -- Disney Parks Blog; posted on November 13th, 2014 by Tallahassee Glover, Adventureland Correspondent

​

 

[figment_jii]

From the photos in the Blog entry, it certainly looks like they added more stuff to Jingle Cruise!

 

[meljensmom]

Here's the link to the Disneyland Photopass:
http://disneyphotopass.com/specialoffers/dlrppp.htm

Yes, you need to purchase it at least 14-days before your trip and if you do, then there is a discounted price.

Thank you! I'm over a month away from our trip so I'm good....and just went and purchased it! Hooray!

 

[disneyobsessed808]

I'm excited to see the Jingle Cruise this year!

 

[kylie71]

The Carnation from the 1990's also had HUGE Sundae's named after rides, Like Big Thunder, and the Matterhorn... the Snow White, sundae was my favorite, because it had Marshmallow Cream topping...

We did breakfast there last Thanksgiving and it really was BAD! It was super crowded also and they seated us inside Gibson Girl, at a tiny ice cream table, for 5 people... service was non-existent... food cold when it finally came... we we're very Unimpressed, and this used to be a first stop for us... its Sad!



--Lori

 

[Sherry E]

I'm excited to see the Jingle Cruise this year!

I am too!

Last year I appreciated that the Enhancement Team made an effort to add some little holiday touches to the ride and to the queue, and I can see why they were reluctant to 'go all out with it' in its first year. That's a ride that is long-established as having no connection to the holidays whatsoever, and if they had tried to go too big with the overlay last year, it's likely that people would have complained that it was "too much."

However, by starting off with a minimal overlay in 2013 it left the crowds wanting more for Jingle Cruise and claiming that it was "not enough" of an overlay. Now we have a bigger and better version of Jingle Cruise! More jingle in the jungle!

It will probably never be quite the extravaganza that It's a Small World Holiday and Haunted Mansion Holiday are, but I think that the decorations need to stay in context on Jingle Cruise -- and that context does not really lend itself to a fully detailed holiday overlay, with Christmas carols, dancing tigers and singing natives and all of that.

 

[disneygrandma]

Will there be photo pass photographers at DTD? We'll be there the afternoon & evening before our 1st park day to enjoy the Christmas atmosphere at DTD. We've bought the photopass+ and hoping we could get some pictures on it from DTD.

As a side issue, the voucher says we can exchange it at the PP centers listed on the back. However, the back of the voucher is blank. We would like to activate the photopass+ before entering the park. Is there any place we can? Or can we get a card from the photographers to link to our PP+ once we do exchange the voucher?

Not only are we hoping for pics from DTD, but we also want to get our pics in front of the castle, etc. We don't want to miss out on EE park time to get our voucher exchanged that 1st morning in the park.

We've never used PP at DLR, so don't know exactly how it works. At WDW, we could enter all the PP card #'s on our acct & it would bring our pictures up in to our PP acct. Last WDW trip, the PP was already on our Magic Bands, so we didn't have to do anything but have the PP photographer scan a Magic Band.

I'm so excited seeing all the holiday DLR pictures. Can't wait! If I could get some help concerning PP+, I would appreciate it. The voucher doesn't even have a phone # to call.

Thanks again.

 

[OHBelle]

Tracy --

Yep -- Those are my rankings as well, though I think I liked A Cookie Cutter Christmas slightly less than you did. It's one of those movies that I think I may need to watch again to see if my opinion changes. I'm just so-so about it. It's definitely not DVD-worthy for me either, but I thought it was a cute idea for a story -- though I thought that the single dad was too quick to assume the worst later in the movie, and that should have been a misunderstanding that was easy to clear up. I don't know that I saw any chemistry between the leads, but the lack of chemistry didn't annoy me as much as it did in One Starry Christmas!

There are 10 new movies remaining, and these are my expectations and early predictions:




Northpole -- Too much hype and build-up for one movie, even going as far back as last year. I am almost certain I will not like it as much as Hallmark wants me to. I don't care about special effects and all of that. I just like sweet, simple stories.

Angels and Ornaments -- This could be a good one. I might like it!




A Royal Christmas -- I generally don't like 'royalty' movies too much (much like pet movies), but Lacey Chabert is in it so there is hope.

The Christmas Shepherd -- A pet movie, and not a fun romp, so... it probably won't be my favorite.




Christmas Under Wraps -- I have high hopes because Candace Cameron Bure is in it. It probably won't be as endearing as Let it Snow, but it might be good.

One Christmas Eve -- Another pet movie, this time with Anne Heche.




Mr. Miracle -- Well... I doubt I will like it as much as I liked Mrs. Miracle, but it may be decent.

Christmas at Cartwright's -- Alicia Witt is in it, so I think it will be good. She is good in these Hallmark and Lifetime movies.





Best Christmas Party Ever -- I barely know anything about it, but I think I might like it.

Christmas Parade -- Another one I have barely heard anything about, but it has potential!

I would have to agree with you regarding Northpole and it being over advertised. However, I do love movies that take place in the North Pole, so I may have a bit more hope for it than you.

I loved the Mrs. Miracle movies. I am a little hesitant on Mr. Miracle. Doris Roberts was so great as Mrs. Mericle, that it will be hard to top it.

I usually like Alicia Witt, so I am hopeful for Christmas at Cartwright's.

I haven't really seen much on the rest of the movies. Needless to say, I will be recording them all and weighing in on them after they have aired.

I'll 'third' the ranking for the new Hallmark Christmas Rankings. Don't forget about the Hallmark Movies and Mysteries offerings. I'm looking forward to "Signed, Sealed, & Delivered for Christmas".

I do not get the Hallmark Movies and Mysteries Channel. I looked into it, but the cost to upgrade to get that one channel was way too much with Direct TV. You will have to fill me in on the movies that air only on that channel.

Here's the link to the Disneyland Photopass:
http://disneyphotopass.com/specialoffers/dlrppp.htm

Yes, you need to purchase it at least 14-days before your trip and if you do, then there is a discounted price.

Thanks for the link! I almost forgot to order! Luckily, I have three weeks before my trip and was able to do it today! Crisis averted!!

New:

"Dateline Adventureland: Lost Holiday Shipment Found Aboard the Jingle Cruise at Disneyland Park" -- Disney Parks Blog; posted on November 13th, 2014 by Tallahassee Glover, Adventureland Correspondent

​

So Cute! I can't wait for the Jingle Cruise!! Thanks for sharing!

 

[RainyDayPixie]

We just booked a spontaneous trip for next weekend, so I'm all busy checking out the holiday stuff! Great thread!

I thought maybe we'd try to get a good shot for our Christmas cards while we're there! Anyone have any good ideas for a great card shot?

And once you purchase the photo pass, you own it the photo rights, right? So we could have a photo pass photo printed up in, say, a Tiny Prints card?

So, so, so excited!!!

 

[Sherry E]

Will there be photo pass photographers at DTD? We'll be there the afternoon & evening before our 1st park day to enjoy the Christmas atmosphere at DTD. We've bought the photopass+ and hoping we could get some pictures on it from DTD.

As a side issue, the voucher says we can exchange it at the PP centers listed on the back. However, the back of the voucher is blank. We would like to activate the photopass+ before entering the park. Is there any place we can? Or can we get a card from the photographers to link to our PP+ once we do exchange the voucher?

Not only are we hoping for pics from DTD, but we also want to get our pics in front of the castle, etc. We don't want to miss out on EE park time to get our voucher exchanged that 1st morning in the park.

We've never used PP at DLR, so don't know exactly how it works. At WDW, we could enter all the PP card #'s on our acct & it would bring our pictures up in to our PP acct. Last WDW trip, the PP was already on our Magic Bands, so we didn't have to do anything but have the PP photographer scan a Magic Band.

I'm so excited seeing all the holiday DLR pictures. Can't wait! If I could get some help concerning PP+, I would appreciate it. The voucher doesn't even have a phone # to call.

Thanks again.

disneygrandma --

You know, I have seen photographers in Downtown Disney (last year there was a special sleigh photo spot not far from the rink and Village), and there have been photographers there in previous years at special photo spots, but I don't think that they were official PhotoPass people. I think they were separate, possibly non-Disney, photographers -- but I'm not sure. I could be wrong on that.

The more festive Disney makes DTD, of course, it seems that it would be nice to add in a PhotoPass area, but with just the chalets in the Village and the rink, I don't know if those alone would make a good backdrop for photos. The Christmas tree is in the middle of the rink, so it's not like that can be used for photos, really.

We just booked a spontaneous trip for next weekend, so I'm all busy checking out the holiday stuff! Great thread!

I thought maybe we'd try to get a good shot for our Christmas cards while we're there! Anyone have any good ideas for a great card shot?

And once you purchase the photo pass, you own it the photo rights, right? So we could have a photo pass photo printed up in, say, a Tiny Prints card?

So, so, so excited!!!

RainyDayPixie --

Yes -- once you buy your PhotoPass CD/package, you can do whatever you want with the photos and use them for various projects.

If the Santa/reindeer display is up in Hollywood Land (last year it was at the very end of the street), that would be a good location for a PhotoPass Christmas card shot. I'm not sure if Santa and the reindeer are up this year -- I am waiting for current reports.

Of course, go for a nighttime Winter Castle photo when the icicle lights are on and twinkling.

Usually there is some sort of sleigh set up at the Jingle Jangle Jamboree, and that makes a fun PhotoPass photo for a group of people.

There is usually a character in holiday attire on Paradise Pier, in the gazebo. It could be Mickey in a Santa outfit, or another character, but that makes a really cute PhotoPass shot as well.

Go to Viva Navidad in DCA and get the characters in their Viva Navidad outfits at the photo spot -- there is a PhotoPass person there too, and the backdrop is very colorful.

If, for some reason, the Disney hotels are decorated when you go next week, the Santa display in the Fantasy tower of the Disneyland hotel is beautiful, and there may or may not be a giant fake gingerbread Castle in in the lobby of the Fantasy tower as well -- with a PhotoPass person.

There is supposed to be a (real?) giant gingerbread house coming to the lobby of the Grand Californian Hotel this year (and that is sure to have lingering PhotoPass people), but I don't know if it will be up next week.

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

Will there be photo pass photographers at DTD? We'll be there the afternoon & evening before our 1st park day to enjoy the Christmas atmosphere at DTD. We've bought the photopass+ and hoping we could get some pictures on it from DTD.

As a side issue, the voucher says we can exchange it at the PP centers listed on the back. However, the back of the voucher is blank. We would like to activate the photopass+ before entering the park. Is there any place we can? Or can we get a card from the photographers to link to our PP+ once we do exchange the voucher?

Not only are we hoping for pics from DTD, but we also want to get our pics in front of the castle, etc. We don't want to miss out on EE park time to get our voucher exchanged that 1st morning in the park.

We've never used PP at DLR, so don't know exactly how it works. At WDW, we could enter all the PP card #'s on our acct & it would bring our pictures up in to our PP acct. Last WDW trip, the PP was already on our Magic Bands, so we didn't have to do anything but have the PP photographer scan a Magic Band.

I'm so excited seeing all the holiday DLR pictures. Can't wait! If I could get some help concerning PP+, I would appreciate it. The voucher doesn't even have a phone # to call.

Thanks again.

In all my trips, I have never seen a PP photographer in DTD, so my initial reaction is no. There are sometimes ones in the hotels when Santa is there. The places to redeem it are the photo stores in each park. To the best of my knowledge, those are the only places to do it. Some have said Goofy's Kitchen, but I think what they are able to do is limited and still doesn't give you the lanyard. That said, you can link as many photopass cards to your account and cd, so you would have no problem getting a regular one from a photographer in the morning and getting your lanyard later in the day and just entering both numbers when you get home. I often do this. The only place it doesn't work is the rides/character meals and for that you need to show the lanyard.

 

[RainyDayPixie]

Thanks Sherry! Great ideas!! I'm planning on a little rest on the GC lobby and would love to see the giant Gingerbread house. I hope it's up!

 

[twinky]

In all my trips, I have never seen a PP photographer in DTD, so my initial reaction is no. There are sometimes ones in the hotels when Santa is there. The places to redeem it are the photo stores in each park. To the best of my knowledge, those are the only places to do it. Some have said Goofy's Kitchen, but I think what they are able to do is limited and still doesn't give you the lanyard. That said, you can link as many photopass cards to your account and cd, so you would have no problem getting a regular one from a photographer in the morning and getting your lanyard later in the day and just entering both numbers when you get home. I often do this. The only place it doesn't work is the rides/character meals and for that you need to show the lanyard.

This is great info. Also, don't forget to take pics of your card numbers with your camera or phone. If you lose a card, you should be able to still retrieve and consolidate your photos...

 

[Sherry E]

It was brought up in a separate thread -- and I don't know how long it would have taken for anyone to mention it to us in this thread, which is why I am mentioning it -- that, in addition to the pharmacist convention that is taking place around the time of the Candlelight Ceremony and Processional weekend this year, there is also an event called RaverDay (or Raverday, depending on where you look) taking place on Saturday, 12/6.

So, as I mentioned in that other thread, the combination of Pharmacists, Ravers and longtime Candlelight spectators, along with the usual DLR Holiday weekend crowds, is going to make for a very unique, eclectic mix of people in the parks -- and most likely big crowds!

That's the main reason I wanted to post it -- to alert folks that there could be extra people in the parks on 12/6 and 12/7 due to all of these events combined. And, this all explains why the hotels' availability has been spotty for that time frame in December this year!

​

Thanks Sherry! Great ideas!! I'm planning on a little rest on the GC lobby and would love to see the giant Gingerbread house. I hope it's up!

You're very welcome!

I hope the gingerbread house is up at the GCH by the time of your trip. I am suspicious of whether or not it will be a real gingerbread house. If I recall correctly, the house that sits in the Grand Floridian lobby at WDW is put together a little at a time, and spectators can see it being made right out in the open (I could be wrong on that), one shingle and decoration at a time.

If it were a real 6 ft. house going up in the GCH, it seems that they would have to start crafting it around now, but I don't know if assorted pastry chefs and bakers at DLR would be able to build it out in the open at the GCH or if they'd have to do it behind the scenes and then transport the house to the GCH.

The other option is that the GCH lobby gingerbread house will be fake, just as the gingerbread Castle was fake in the DLH Fantasy Tower lobby last year (but there was a piped-in smell of gingerbread wafting through the air around the Castle at times!). A fake house in the GCH lobby would just seem tacky, though. If they're going to do it they should do it right!

 

[OHBelle]

It was brought up in a separate thread -- and I don't know how long it would have taken for anyone to mention it to us in this thread, which is why I am mentioning it -- that, in addition to the pharmacist convention that is taking place around the time of the Candlelight Ceremony and Processional weekend this year, there is also an event called RaverDay (or Raverday, depending on where you look) taking place on Saturday, 12/6.

So, as I mentioned in that other thread, the combination of Pharmacists, Ravers and longtime Candlelight spectators, along with the usual DLR Holiday weekend crowds, is going to make for a very unique, eclectic mix of people in the parks -- and most likely big crowds!

That's the main reason I wanted to post it -- to alert folks that there could be extra people in the parks on 12/6 and 12/7 due to all of these events combined. And, this all explains why the hotels' availability has been spotty for that time frame in December this year!

That is when I will be there. Looks like we will have some crowds. Oh well, I can't do anything about that, so I will just have to deal with it. What is Raverday?

 

[Sherry E]

That is when I will be there. Looks like we will have some crowds. Oh well, I can't do anything about that, so I will just have to deal with it. What is Raverday?

Tracy --

This is the first I have ever heard of it. Tina/tlovesdis found this link -- https://www.facebook.com/events/713625458696487/

 

[DisneylandPlanner]

Something just seems pre-planned, pharmacists and ravers together.






I appreciate there rules, BUT REALLY this has to be said.
■ NO DRUGS
■ Ladies please dress accordingly. Children and families will be present
■ No lightshows/lying down at the castle please
■ No whistles/Pacifiers
■ Please keep music to a minimum low if played from backpacks

We will be there morning in Dl and evening DCA to avoid candlelight madness. Hope it is not a big too do!

 

[Sherry E]

Something just seems pre-planned, pharmacists and ravers together.