Disneyland at Christmas/Holiday Season Superthread #4

[tksbaskets]

this time tomorrow we'll be boarding the plane! The trip has been in the works almost 2 years (despite 2 visits in between then & now!) and I can hardly wait!

Wahoo!! Can't wait to hear about your adventures. Leave some fun for us. We leave two weeks from today!!

 

[lorijohnhill]

Forgive the lack of quotes for responding to earlier inquiries: Regarding standing in lines alone, I had to do that during our last trip alone (before we had kids, and without my family) in 2007. We had only 2 day tickets, DH toured the first half day with me (we flew in that morning & missed our flight so we were late) then got a wicked stomach flu that left him in the hotel for the rest of the day (we almost had to book another night in the hotel & try to push our flight back he was so bad). So anyway, that full day I toured by myself. It wasn't as bad as I had feared. And nowadays I'd have my kindle or smart phone to keep me busy while in lines solo! Regarding IASW, I rode it again tonight and Deck the Halls WAS playing, but only in one room, the "Peace on Earth" room. Today had A LOT of wasted time. Between battling with DD3 about using the regular bathrooms (we should have never taken her to use the small potties in the baby care centers) to her RUNNING OFF on my husband after riding RSR and being lost for almost 30 minutes, to then waiting to take a picture with Sally & DD in her Sally costume (killed about 90 minutes there) today felt unproductive. In fact we never even took the big camera out of the bag today, I only will have a few cell phone pics to add to whatever we got on the PPP. Crowds were very manageable. FP for RSR still available at 1:30 when I left DCA, RT was around 7:20 I think. The streets seemed super crowded but we walked on to a few rides and had reasonable (10-15 minute) waits for the rest. Except TSMM, even right at 10 park opening I think it took about 25 minutes to get through. Sherry, I can't remember if Paradise Pier had ZERO or just MINIMAL holiday decorations in prior years, but there are garlands and wreaths. Not a lot, but they are there. If I have a chance I'll attempt to take pictures tomorrow. Oh, and between Monday & Today there was a noticeable change in DCA by the Disney Visa character Meet n Greet - the area with the oversized plastic chairs is now gated off and there is a huge stage in front of where the chairs would be. Again, I can try to take pictures tomorrow for comparison since I'm not sure when you (Sherry) are getting over to check things out first hand. Off to make our list for what we want to try and accomplish on our final day tomorrow (day 5).

Your three year old was lost for 30 mins?? How terrifying! I'm so glad it all worked out and you found her. I would have been a basket case.

 

[Mouseketeers4]

Sorry, I'm trying to post that tree pic but the app is having issues. I'll try again later.

 

[OHBelle]

this time tomorrow we'll be boarding the plane! The trip has been in the works almost 2 years (despite 2 visits in between then & now!) and I can hardly wait!

Have a great time!!

Wahoo!! Can't wait to hear about your adventures. Leave some fun for us. We leave two weeks from today!!

We leave two weeks from yesterday on an "adults only" trip too! We just might run into each other!

 

[tksbaskets]

We leave two weeks from yesterday on an "adults only" trip too! We just might run into each other!

That would be a blast! Please say 'hi' if you see us. I answer to "TK" in real life too

Here I am with the best hubby ever!

We're creatures of habit and will probably be wearing the same jackets.

 

[Sherry E]

TK --

The Mickey stein is shown in this Parks Blog -- HERE.

It's cute, but... my only issue with it is that the demitasse dessert mug was done away with this year, and replaced with the stein. An actual ceramic mug -- which was a nice touch with the dessert -- was replaced with a plastic stein. The Halloween Time demitasse dessert mug was done away with as well.

Disneyland Today told me that the dessert would now be served in the stein... but that can't be right??

 

[tksbaskets]

TK --

The Mickey stein is shown in this Parks Blog -- HERE.

It's cute, but... my only issue with it is that the demitasse dessert mug was done away with this year, and replaced with the stein. An actual ceramic mug -- which was a nice touch with the dessert -- was replaced with a plastic stein. The Halloween Time demitasse dessert mug was done away with as well.

Disneyland Today told me that the dessert would now be served in the stein... but that can't be right??

It's whimsical but I agree that the ceramic is much more desirable for a Christmas keepsake.

Thanks for the link to the picture Sherry! When is your holiday trip scheduled for??

 

[OHBelle]

That would be a blast! Please say 'hi' if you see us. I answer to "TK" in real life too

Here I am with the best hubby ever!

We're creatures of habit and will probably be wearing the same jackets.

I will definitely say "hi"! I see your husband is a Michigan fan.....fair warning we are Ohio State fans! More than likely my husband will be wearing some sort of Ohio State gear.

Say hi if you see us! Here we are last spring at the Grand Canyon. My hair is shorter and lighter now, but my hubby looks the same.

 

[lorijohnhill]

I just had to share... I received a pin code email! I called and was able to add an extra night to our reservation for less than our original cost!

 

[mlnbabies]

We got our DL tickets, tote bag and vouchers today from UPS.

So excited! In less than 3 weeks we will be at PPH and DL!

 

[AZpharmacist]

11 days until DH and I take our baby girl to DL for the first time! I can't wait! We are going from Dec 1st to the 4th and staying at the Desert Palms

 

[mvf-m11c]

Great update figment. I mostly seen everything at the DLR last week except for the Mickey Steins. I didn't see them at places like Jolly Holiday Bakery but at Hungry Bear restaurant they showed a menu with the Elf Mickey Stein available.

It's whimsical but I agree that the ceramic is much more desirable for a Christmas keepsake.

Thanks for the link to the picture Sherry! When is your holiday trip scheduled for??

Completely agree with you TK. Even though I never got the ceramic demitasse during the Christmas season, it is a nice commemorative for the holiday season.

 

[Sherry E]

For those of you who are still in search of a last minute Thanksgiving meal option, Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen in Downtown Disney invites you to "Gobble 'til You Wobble"!! Their menu can be found -- HERE -- and it includes Turducken, Slow Roasted Cajun Turkey and Praline Pumpkin Pie!

The Jazz Kitchen Thanksgiving menu is available:

Nov. 26: Dinner Service
Nov. 27 : All day
Nov. 28 - Nov. 30 : Dinner Service


Reservation info can be found -- HERE.

​

 

[mvf-m11c]

Here are a few of the menus at the DLR during the holiday season along with one dish that I got during the trip last weekend.

Menu Holiday Special at Hungry Bear Restaurant. The Hungry Bear restaurant was offering the Elf Mickey Stein.


Menu Holiday Special at the Cozy Cone Motel


Bacon Macaroni & Cheese Cone

 

[figment_jii]

Another update: I was wandering through the Emporium and noticed that they have the gift card with pins available. This year's design is...Frozen! Elsa, Anna, Olaf, and Kristoff. These cards are pre-loaded ($75).

TK - the stein is cute. It's much bigger than the demittase mugs. It's entirely plastic and a little awkward to drink from (ended up using a straw).

 

[DharmaLou]

I can NOT wait to try that bacon mac & cheese cone!!

 

[tksbaskets]

Bret, how was the Bacon Mac and Cheese Cone? Thanks for sharing the pictures!

 

[mvf-m11c]

Bret, how was the Bacon Mac and Cheese Cone? Thanks for sharing the pictures!

Hi TK,

The Bacon Macaroni and Cheese Cone was nice. It tasted like Macaroni and Cheese with the Bacon added which gave it flavor. If you are in CL, I would recommend the Bacon Macaroni and Cheese Cone. Your welcome.

 

[rentayenta]

I just had to share... I received a pin code email! I called and was able to add an extra night to our reservation for less than our original cost!

Woot woot!




Bret, that mac n cheese n bacon cone looks so good!

Jenny --

I think that the GCH pin shown in this Parks Blog from today is supposed to be what the gingerbread house in the GCH is going to look like -- HERE. The Disneyland Hotel pin looks like the fake gingerbread Castle in the DLH lobby (which is already up and on display), so the GCH one must be the design of the house that's supposed to go up in the GCH (I guess the house is going to be a mini-GCH?)!!

The pins are so cute and the house is suppose to resemble that? Quite the task. I wonder if it'll be made of real gingerbread like the one at the GF in WDW? Isn't the GCH one supoose to sell hot chocolate?

 

[mrsbicewdw]

I'm reading through this post slowly but surely and just have to say thank you for all the great info here. I am a WDW vet, but christmas of 2015 will be our first trip to DL (apart from my husband going a couple times as a kid). I am starting to plan, knowing we will need to be really on point, as it looks like we will have to go during a super peak time - the days between Christmas and New Years. Hoping to pick up a lot of little things from reading here and the DL board in general.