Disneyland at Christmas/Holiday Season Superthread #4

[OHBelle]

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

This could turn out to be quite an interesting trip!!!

 

[maleficent55]

Now that the website is working we were able to get F! reservations at BB on the 12th! We currently have 3 other F! dining reservations we need to cancel - but the website won't let you cancel online and I'm not sitting on hold to do so... Hopefully they fix that soon so I can free up some reservations for others!

You CAN cancel online, on the Disneyland website. If you go to the tab "My Reservations' under the dining tab, on the right hand side under your reservation number is a blue tab you can click on: 'Cancel Reservation'. Hope you can read this before you wait on hold forever!

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.

Last spring we redeemed our PP+ @ Goofy's Kitchen the evening before our first day in the parks. We got the lanyard there and everything. This was in April.

 

[Sherry E]

This could turn out to be quite an interesting trip!!!

Tracy --

Some of the Candlelight folks have been attending the Ceremony for decades -- even since the beginning of Candlelight, in some cases. A few of them dress up in elegant evening wear -- I have seen long, velvet coats, faux fur and sequined shawls -- so the image in my mind of the Candlelight crowd mixed with the Ravers mixed with the Pharmacists is just too amusing for words!

 

[krispin41]

You CAN cancel online, on the Disneyland website. If you go to the tab "My Reservations' under the dining tab, on the right hand side under your reservation number is a blue tab you can click on: 'Cancel Reservation'. Hope you can read this before you wait on hold forever!

.

I haven't checked today...but my Fantasmic! Blue Bayou reservation I made, I was unable to cancel online...my other reservations, I did have the option.

I just checked (7pm, 11/13) and still unable to cancel this reservation (not that I want to, but it's not giving me the option to.)

 

[Misskitty3]

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!

What a great picture!!! How awesome!

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

Lori - That sounds like a terrible experience. I can't imagine why they would have seated you in Gibson Girl and no wonder your food was cold.

Here is a picture of the Matterhorn Sundae. Yum!

 

[lori123]

Hi All!
I'm sorry if I missed it - but does anyone have info on the candlelight processional for this year? I know the dates are the 6th and 7th. Last year as annual passholders we were able to enter a lottery for seats to watch. Wondering if that will happen this year as well.

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!

Oh boy! It's not usually that busy the first week of December! Guess we better be ready. Thanks for the info.

 

[Sherry E]

Hi All!
I'm sorry if I missed it - but does anyone have info on the candlelight processional for this year? I know the dates are the 6th and 7th. Last year as annual passholders we were able to enter a lottery for seats to watch. Wondering if that will happen this year as well.

lori123 --

Hello!

The lottery you entered was in 2012. In 2012, the Candlelight Ceremony jumped from 2 nights/4 performances to 20 nights/40 performances. The AP holders were offered the chance to win seats in the lottery, and many won them.

Last year, Candlelight dropped back down to 2 nights/4 performances, and it was not promoted -- rumor has it that the crowd issue on Main Street and in Town Square in 2012 cost Main Street's businesses a lot of money because no one wanted to go in and spend. Everyone wanted to get out of the crowds.

So, when Candlelight dropped back to 2 nights, Disney didn't advertise it. This year, it's the same situation. This year it is being held on 2 nights again, as you know, and they are not advertising it. Unlike at WDW, Candlelight at DLR is not even really counted as part of the annual holiday entertainment, at least not in the typical media we see. People who know about it will go to see it, either standing around all day and night, or sitting in seats (if they are invited guests or VIPs, Club 33 members, etc.), but Disney is not advertising or promoting it -- meaning no AP lottery -- unless they figure out a way for more people to see it from seats, or buy dinner packages, etc. People who take the expensive VIP tour apparently have an option of getting CP seats.

The rumored narrator for both nights this year is Beau Bridges.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Thank you for the link Sherry from the Disney Parks Blog today.

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

I completely agree after seeing the pictures that there is way more decorations added to JC this year when compare to last year when there was no decorations during the ride (except the queue in November) and in December where they added some decorations to the ride.

 

[poppinspal]

So today was my first day ever at Disneyland. This thread was such a great help so I thought I'd report back that the Cozy Cone had a seasonal offering of bacon Mac and cheese. I took a picture but will probably wait to share till I'm home Tuesday.

 

[Sherry E]

Well, it's not like we didn't already know this bit of info, but let's continue to bask in the jubilation over of the start of the Holidays at DLR -- the most wonderful time of the year -- with a new, brief Disneyland News Press Release!!!

"The Holiday Season Officially Launches at the Disneyland Resort" -- Disneyland News press release; posted on November 13, 2014

​

Thank you for the link Sherry from the Disney Parks Blog today.



I completely agree after seeing the pictures that there is way more decorations added to JC this year when compare to last year when there was no decorations during the ride (except the queue in November) and in December where they added some decorations to the ride.

You're welcome, Bret!

Hopefully you received your Disney gift card by now -- I know that Kristan/Krispin41 received hers.

Since you are headed to the parks tomorrow, I am curious to hear about Hollywood Land. I got a glimpse of it in Misskitty3's photos.

I am curious to know if the same holiday window display (the TV) is at Off the Page.

I am curious to know if the Santa/reindeer display at the end of the street has been put up (because it was not there when Misskitty3 was there, from what I saw in the photos). If it's not there, I think that means that they didn't put it up because Frozen is coming to Hollywood Land soon.

Also, I am curious about the usual stuff -- have any decorations been added to or removed from Toontown, Jingle Jangle Jamboree, New Orleans Square, Cars Land, Buena Vista Street, etc.?

I think we are all super curious about how many decorations are scattered throughout Jingle Cruise, so that will be a big question for all of us!

Also, Disneyland Today told me on Facebook that the Elf Mickey stein is replacing the demitasse mug this year, so I think that the actual dessert will be served in the stein too. If you can get a photo of that, it would be awesome!

Also, there is a new Sandy Claws display (he is flying overhead) in that New Orleans Square shop with all of the NBC things (the one with the bone wreath). Don't miss that.

Finally -- keep checking those hotels before you leave! I am eager to know if any hotel décor is going up early this year!

So today was my first day ever at Disneyland. This thread was such a great help so I thought I'd report back that the Cozy Cone had a seasonal offering of bacon Mac and cheese. I took a picture but will probably wait to share till I'm home Tuesday.

Hi, poppinspal!

I'm not even a big mac and cheese person, but bacon mac and cheese sounds kind of good right now -- it's a good comfort food!

I hope you're enjoying what you're seeing of Disneyland so far! Have a great trip.

 

[mvf-m11c]

You're welcome, Bret!

Hopefully you received your Disney gift card by now -- I know that Kristan/Krispin41 received hers.

Since you are headed to the parks tomorrow, I am curious to hear about Hollywood Land. I got a glimpse of it in Misskitty3's photos.

I am curious to know if the same holiday window display (the TV) is at Off the Page.

I am curious to know if the Santa/reindeer display at the end of the street has been put up (because it was not there when Misskitty3 was there, from what I saw in the photos). If it's not there, I think that means that they didn't put it up because Frozen is coming to Hollywood Land soon.

Also, I am curious about the usual stuff -- have any decorations been added to or removed from Toontown, Jingle Jangle Jamboree, New Orleans Square, Cars Land, Buena Vista Street, etc.?

I think we are all super curious about how many decorations are scattered throughout Jingle Cruise, so that will be a big question for all of us!

Also, Disneyland Today told me on Facebook that the Elf Mickey stein is replacing the demitasse mug this year, so I think that the actual dessert will be served in the stein too. If you can get a photo of that, it would be awesome!

Also, there is a new Sandy Claws display (he is flying overhead) in that New Orleans Square shop with all of the NBC things (the one with the bone wreath). Don't miss that.

Finally -- keep checking those hotels before you leave! I am eager to know if any hotel décor is going up early this year!

Thank you Sherry. I received the Disney Gift card today.

I plan on going around the DLR and looking at all the different decorations. I am also intrigued to see what Hollywood Land is looking like during the holiday season this year.

That was surprising to hear that the Sana/reindeer display was not at the end of the street during Misskitty3 trip. Maybe it will be up this weekend or not which I will find out.

Just as you, I am always curious what the DLR is cutting down on the decorations like they do every other year where there is something new and something taken out from past years.

That is sad that the demitasse mug is being replaced with a Elf Mickey Stein. Looks like I will have to go in the Jolly Holiday Bakery to look for it.

Nice to hear that there is a new Sandy Claws display in the NOS shop.

I will check the DLR hotels to see if there are any decorations since we are planning on eating at the ESPN Zone on Saturday for dinner.

 

[krispin41]

So today was my first day ever at Disneyland. This thread was such a great help so I thought I'd report back that the Cozy Cone had a seasonal offering of bacon Mac and cheese. I took a picture but will probably wait to share till I'm home Tuesday.

Three of my favorite things:

Cozy Cone
mac & cheese
BACON.

ONE MORE MONTH!!

 

[kylie71]

Have a really FUN trip! Looking forward to your updates and pictures....
Safe drive down!



--Lori

 

[mvf-m11c]

Have a really FUN trip! Looking forward to your updates and pictures....
Safe drive down!



--Lori

Thank you Lori. It is looking like a great holiday season at the DLR this year.

It won't be too long until your holiday trip as well.

 

[Sherry E]

Excuse me... I'm a little slow today. I just now got around to looking at the other photos in the Gallery that accompanied the Parks Blog about Jingle Cruise earlier today (I posted about it -- HERE), and.... are those fruitcakes in the jaws of the hippos or am I imagining things? Nice touch! They're either fruitcakes or they're wreaths, and it's sad that I can't tell the difference! Lol.



Okay, this has nothing to do with DLR (it's about WDW), but I like it only because it has "Hidden Olafs" -- HERE.

​

 

[rentayenta]

Excuse me... I'm a little slow today. I just now got around to looking at the other photos in the Gallery that accompanied the Parks Blog about Jingle Cruise earlier today (I posted about it -- HERE), and.... are those fruitcakes in the jaws of the hippos or am I imagining things? Nice touch! They're either fruitcakes or they're wreaths, and it's sad that I can't tell the difference! Lol.



Okay, this has nothing to do with DLR (it's about WDW), but I like it only because it has "Hidden Olafs" -- HERE.

​

Thank you kind lady for posting twice. Some of us need that.



Have fun Bret! Can't wait to see your photos.

 

[Sherry E]

Thank you kind lady for posting twice. Some of us need that.



Have fun Bret! Can't wait to see your photos.

No problem, Jenny! I'm glad it helps!

I wasn't even thinking at the moment of posting it for those who missed it -- I just happened to go back to the Blog and begin looking through the Gallery and saw what are either fruitcakes or wreaths in the hippos' mouths and it struck me as a cute touch! But I wondered if others were seeing what I was seeing!

It seems that the holiday touches are definitely more extensive in Jingle Cruise this year!

 

[rentayenta]

No problem, Jenny! I'm glad it helps!

I wasn't even thinking at the moment of posting it for those who missed it -- I just happened to go back to the Blog and begin looking through the Gallery and saw what are either fruitcakes or wreaths in the hippos' mouths and it struck me as a cute touch! But I wondered if others were seeing what I was seeing!

It seems that the holiday touches are definitely more extensive in Jingle Cruise this year!

They're fruit cakes and it's hilarious. The elephants look great too with all the garland. I'm sooooooooo excited!

 

[Sherry E]

They're fruit cakes and it's hilarious. The elephants look great too with all the garland. I'm sooooooooo excited!

They even worked an "ugly Christmas sweater" into the ride! Too funny! I am loving this version of Jingle Cruise!

 

[WestMom2two]

Tomorrow will be 1 day left! Eeek! So much packing, shopping, cleaning to do and fitting in the nail salon for DD and my Disney nails. Its our little tradition. It feels so unreel that its already here. Just wanted to Thank you Sherry for this amazing Thread. Can.not.wait. to be in the parks with my family for the holidays!