Disneyland at Christmas/Holiday Season Superthread #4

[DisneyJamieCA]

I didn't see the Storytellers gingerbread house when I walked by this morning, but I haven't gone inside yet.

The missing Carsland tree is the one by Santa Stanley. We'll be back in DCA tomorrow, so I hope to look around a bit more and see if it just got moved.

 

[Sherry E]

I didn't see the Storytellers gingerbread house when I walked by this morning, but I haven't gone inside yet.

The missing Carsland tree is the one by Santa Stanley. We'll be back in DCA tomorrow, so I hope to look around a bit more and see if it just got moved.

Jamie --

Oh really? Wow. That tree is a major tree in Cars Land, so it would be very noticeable if it's missing.

Bret/mvf-m11c was there last weekend, and Misskitty3 was there 2 weekends ago -- I wonder if the tree was there when they were at DLR. Maybe something happened to it in the last week. I can't see why it would be removed unless something went awry -- unless it was never there to begin with (this season). Maybe someone tried to take a bite out of it too!

Thank you for the live-from-the-scene reports!

 

[egritz]

egritz --

You're welcome! Thank you for coming back to join us in the thread this year.

In a place as large and filled with corners to get lost in and interesting things to do/see -- not to mention tons of people everywhere -- I am always amazed that parents are able to keep their little ones within eyesight as often as they are! I would imagine that CMs deal with lost children on an almost daily basis. Frankly, if I were a parent I think I would be a nervous wreck in a place like DLR while the kids were really little and easily distracted. I'm so glad your daughter was safe and unfazed!

Thank you for the update on the PPH tree. That's the kind of thing I wanted to know -- if anything was missing from it, or added to it! And if they ditched that silly orange "sea grass" garland on the tree, I won't be upset! I wish they could have toned down some of the in-your-face oceanic knick knacks on and under the tree as well, but one step at a time...

You didn't see any decorations in the downstairs queue of Jingle Cruise? You mean there was no makeshift Christmas tree this year?

I read the review of Lansky's in your thread and it's such a shame -- they started out being great for you last year, but they have to take child safety seriously and make it a priority. When did they change from DK's Livery (or whatever it was) to Lansky's?

I'm glad you had a great trip!

DL has lost children down to a science. The CM I spoke with notified all the area stores and food carts immediately and the child care center had paged security (who would have then walked around with DH looking for her).

The gaudy "sea" ornaments were still on the PPH tree, I can't remember about what was underneath.

I didn't see any decorations downstairs in the JJ cruise, BUT it was walk-on (literally) so we blasted through the queue and it is possible I just missed it, but I was trying to look around and remember being surprised not to see anything.

Not sure when DK Livery changed to Lansky's. Yes, it is a shame, but my hope is that my review (also on yelp) will lead them in the right direction to rectify the issues for future customers. DH says he is willing to try them again to see if they do better, but I'm not convinced.

 

[lucysmom]

Oh My Gosh!!!! That gingerbread house is amazing!! I have to get back there next year and see it in person! Have a wonderful time everyone! Thank you for all of the pictures!

 

[tarheelalum]

tarheelalum --

You did the right thing by just jumping in and asking the question! I even have a section on page 1 titled "You Don't Have to Read the Whole Thread," but I think that people still feel that's what they're supposed to do! There is a Search feature for each thread, and if you ever want to find specific mentions of something, just type in a keyword or whatever you're looking for, such as "traffic," or "Christmas day," etc. I find that the Search Thread feature is often is more effective and specific than the Search feature for the whole board.

From all that I have established from reading various reports, Christmas Day may start off reasonably quiet in the parks -- not empty, but manageable. By mid-day on 12/25, or by the late afternoon, the crowds begin to really kick in, and then the next few days should be very crowded. The rumored Frozen invasion of Hollywood Land is supposed to begin on 12/20 (if the rumors are true), so that will impact crowds even further in that post-Christmas week.

If there is rain, or even a threat of rain, that will scare a lot of people away and the crowds will drop off considerably.

In this post, you will find Trip Reviews/Reports. Under the 2013 section, Bret/mvf-m11c's TR from post-Christmas/pre-New Year's is there, and in the 2012 section you will find reviews from JediMasterNerd and Mickey&JoshNut, who were at DLR over Christmas and beyond. All of those recaps/reports will give you an idea of crowds.

The hours will be as long as they can be in both parks. I think that there is a good chance of both parks being open for EMH every day between Christmas and New Year's, instead of just one park or the other. Here is what the hours looked like in December 2013.

As for traffic -- I've never traveled up from San Diego to DLR on Christmas Day, nor have I even traveled from where I am in L.A. to Disneyland on Christmas Day. But I can tell you that the streets around my area of town -- and I live in a pretty active, bustling area of the city -- are nearly empty for hours on 12/25. It's that way on New Year's Day too. So I am going to guess that your idea of the traffic being light is spot on -- a lot of folks will be at home, enjoying the day with their families.

Thank you so much for the information Sherry!

 

[Disney127]

The items under the PPH tree are presents, surf boards, shells and chairs with seaweed and shells on them. Also, there are seahorses, fish, shells, assorted ornaments balls with orange and blue seaweed garland topped off with a big starfish on top. Wish I can post a photo but don't know how from an Ipad or IPhone.

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

Ok, I know I'm really late in getting these up, but here are pictures from an hour ago.


And location from the 3rd floor balcony.

 

[krispin41]

So while I was relaxing during my pedicure after I saw The Hunger Games, I was scrolling through my FB and Instagram, and of course I can't find it now, but someone, somewhere in one of my feeds mentioned a Frozen themed Night Party which was replacing The Mad T Party. Of course I can't find it now, but I am diligently searching. Anyone see/hear anything about it?

EDIT: I FOUND IT! It was on Instagram!

http://instagram.com/p/vt8nhendAV/?modal=true, Not sure where this article originally came from.

Basically:

"For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing Along Celebration" (Muppet Theater)
"Olaf's Snow Fest" (Stage 17)
"Anna & Elsa's Royal Welcome" (Animation Building)
"Disney Freeze the Night Party" (replacing Mad T Party)

 

[pudinhd]

Here is a new DIS blog about Christmas at Cars Land.

http://blog.wdwinfo.com/2014/11/22/christmas-at-cars-land-in-disneys-california-adventure/

Is the last picture the one of the tree that is missing?

So while I was relaxing during my pedicure after I saw The Hunger Games, I was scrolling through my FB and Instagram, and of course I can't find it now, but someone, somewhere in one of my feeds mentioned a Frozen themed Night Party which was replacing The Mad T Party. Of course I can't find it now, but I am diligently searching. Anyone see/hear anything about it?

I wasn't looking for it, but just found this...

http://wdwnt.com/blog/2014/11/froze...disney-california-adventure-details-revealed/

 

[krispin41]

I wasn't looking for it, but just found this...

http://wdwnt.com/blog/2014/11/froze...disney-california-adventure-details-revealed/

Looks like we were all posting at the same time, Patrick in OR posted this thread: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=52666522&posted=1#post52666522

 

[Sherry E]

I must reiterate that unless/until something comes directly from Disney (in print or via some other sort of media or announcement), it is not official. So the links that you guys posted above are leading to rumors/info "leaked" to an unofficial site.

Yes, I am 100% certain that Frozen will be invading Hollywood Land, but we have to put the bits of info into context -- and that context, at this precise moment, is an unofficial one.


Thank you, Jamie, for posting the GCH gingerbread house photos! For some reason, it seems like fun to me to sit there and watch the house being put together! I would love to sit on the sofa where those people are sitting (at opposite ends!) and watch the process, with the piano music setting the mood, and the tree glowing nearby.

​

 

[MommyJKM]

Thank you, Jamie, for posting the GCH gingerbread house photos! For some reason, it seems like fun to me to sit there and watch the house being put together! I would love to sit on the sofa where those people are sitting (at opposite ends!) and watch the process, with the piano music setting the mood, and the tree glowing nearby.

​

+1 Sherry! I'd join you and have a glass of wine from Hearthstone and be in heaven!

 

[Sherry E]

In this post from Bret/mvf-m11c's current Trip Report, you will see a photo of the tree next to the Santa Stanley statue/fountain in Cars Land. So the tree was there at some point this season. The photo was taken on November 14th. If it suddenly disappeared by the time Jamie got to Cars Land, then I am wondering if something happened to the tree and it needed to be taken down?

​

+1 Sherry! I'd join you and have a glass of wine from Hearthstone and be in heaven!

MommyJKM --

That sounds good! It's such a nice, relaxing environment in the GCH lobby to begin with (even when it's bustling with activity), and combined with the wafting aroma of gingerbread it must be heavenly! It's no wonder that everyone in that lobby always looks happy and joyful, or so rested that they are about to take a nap!

I just can't believe that someone already took a bite out of that house (as reported by Jamie). That is just shameful! Those kinds of people ruin it for the rest of us. If people start eating the display then there might not be another one next year.

 

[MommyJKM]

Jamie-- Where did they put it, in the lobby?
Any Stamos sighting's?

Have a Blast!

--Lori

My girlfriend was on a flight with John Stamos and Rob Lowe yesterday to Memphis for some Elvis event. My 1980's Dream Flight!!

 

[Sherry E]

My girlfriend was on a flight with John Stamos and Rob Lowe yesterday to Memphis for some Elvis event. My 1980's Dream Flight!!

John Stamos and Rob Lowe? Together, on the same flight? Good grief, Charlie Brown! That's almost too much handsomeness to take in one flight! I used to be a big Rob Lowe fan back in his Tiger Beat/16 Magazine days (when he was in the afterschool special, Schoolboy Father).

 

[joyfulDisneytears]

Anyone have any insight into the character meet rotation for ¡Viva Navidad!? I really would love to meet the Three Caballeros...am tentatively planning a José Carioca Disneybound and it would be great to get photos with them while dressed the part.

 

[mjlum]

This forum is huge and I've tried searching for answers to my questions to no avail so I'll just ask!
What's new for the holidays for this year? We've been going to DL during the holidays and want to be sure we see whatever is new.

So far, I've got
- gingerbread house at GCH
- possible Frozen show...my girls would be ecstatic but this debuts after our trip...bummer!
- more jingle cruise decor...loved the pics from the link to tales of a Disney CM!
What else is new? New food? New decor?

Next question...viva navidad. We've always skipped this for lack of time. For those who have been through there, how was the food, the show? Is it worth the stop? We have good mex' food where we are so mot so sure about overpriced Disney version. I saw sopes for $13, I think?

We will make a point to...
Try to get a candy cane
See WOC Winter Dreams
See fireworks
See IASW
See HM...but our girls are terrified, so we may take turn
Visit Santa
Anything else we don't want to miss?

Also, is there a good place we can see the DL parade that we won't have to wait too long? We've never seen it because my husband doesn't want to wait for it.

 

[Sherry E]

Anyone have any insight into the character meet rotation for ¡Viva Navidad!? I really would love to meet the Three Caballeros...am tentatively planning a José Carioca Disneybound and it would be great to get photos with them while dressed the part.

joyfulDisneytears --

From most reports I've read, it seems that the longest lines for photos are when the Three Caballeros are out. They are on some sort of rotation with other Disney characters (such as Mickey and Minnie together, and Goofy solo, and other various combinations, I think), but there isn't a specific schedule to designate who will be out at the photo spot at which times.

When I strolled around the Viva Navidad area I noticed Mickey & Minnie, and then Goofy, but did not see the Caballeros.

This forum is huge and I've tried searching for answers to my questions to no avail so I'll just ask!
What's new for the holidays for this year? We've been going to DL during the holidays and want to be sure we see whatever is new.

So far, I've got
- gingerbread house at GCH
- possible Frozen show...my girls would be ecstatic but this debuts after our trip...bummer!
- more jingle cruise decor...loved the pics from the link to tales of a Disney CM!
What else is new? New food? New decor?

Next question...viva navidad. We've always skipped this for lack of time. For those who have been through there, how was the food, the show? Is it worth the stop? We have good mex' food where we are so mot so sure about overpriced Disney version. I saw sopes for $13, I think?

We will make a point to...
Try to get a candy cane
See WOC Winter Dreams
See fireworks
See IASW
See HM...but our girls are terrified, so we may take turn
Visit Santa
Anything else we don't want to miss?

Also, is there a good place we can see the DL parade that we won't have to wait too long? We've never seen it because my husband doesn't want to wait for it.

mjlum --

You have the right idea -- if you can't find something or don't know where to look for it, just jump in and ask!

Okay, let's start with "what's new" for this year (I am guessing you visited DLR for the holidays last year, so I am just listing what's new since last year's season):

• As you already said, a new gingerbread house at GCH (which opens as a hot chocolate/snack counter on Thanksgiving);

• A very likely Frozen invasion of Hollywood Land, starting on or around December 20th -- including a takeover of the Animation Building, Muppets theater, the former Mad T Party area and Stage 17 (which is where the ice rink is supposed to go) -- and lasting through early May -- IF the rumors and leaks turn out to be accurate!;

• Much, much more Jingle Cruise décor;

• New décor on the façade of the Little Mermaid ride, including some weird, fake "sand" and oceanic garland;

• New décor in previously undecorated areas of Paradise Pier in DCA, such as near TSMM;

• New wreaths and garland (with small bells) on some of the Main Street poles and facades;

• Mickey and Minnie were moved from the ice skating float in A Christmas Fantasy Parade, and relocated to a different float, and Mrs. Claus was removed. Frozen characters were added in to the Christmas Fantasy Parade;

• New stage show /sing-along at the Jingle Jangle Jamboree, to fill the void left by Billy Hill and the Hillbillies;

• New Fantasmic Fastpasses and dining packages;

• New scenes added to Winter Dreams, and some elements were removed that had been present in the 2013 version;

• New Elf Mickey popcorn bucket and stein, the latter of which has replaced the popular demitasse dessert mug that has been at DLR for years; and

• New Triple Cranberry Smoothie at Schmoozies in DCA.

I feel as though I am skipping something -- I was trying to think of all of the new things off the top of my head, and those are what I came up with so far. Everything else is pretty much the same as last year, or the same as usual. Oddly, there have not been a lot of Blogs or bits of info about seasonal food items so far -- there were many more for Fall/Halloween, it seemed -- but there don't appear to be any truly new items out there, unless they are undiscovered. A lot of the apples, pretzel rods and cupcakes have the same designs as they did in 2013.

Either Bret/mvf-m11c or figment_jii would probably be good ones to suggest where to wait for the parade without waiting too long.

I did not try any of the Viva Navidad food (though I have read good reviews of some of it, and the pozole was popular), but I highly recommend the street party, which is jubilant, joyful, uplifting, etc.!! I think it is a highlight of the holiday season! The whole atmosphere is very lively. I know that our DIS'ers Orbitron and grnflash really enjoyed it a lot. The Three Caballeros are fairly rare, and the other characters are dressed in festive, theme-appropriate attire.

There are Viva Navidad photos in this thread (from several of us here) -- I'm not sure if you saw them (as they are buried within the thread), but I can easily link you to them if you want to see them, if seeing the photos would help swing the decision to see Viva Navidad one way or the other.


I think your list of things to make a point of doing is a good one. I don't know if you have any interest in spending time at the Winter Village in DTD. Maybe stop and listen to the Bell Ringers on Buena Vista Street. The giant fake gingerbread Castle is at the DLH again this year. And Jingle Jangle Jamboree is always a fun place to visit. The trees in the DLH towers are decorated according to theme, and the tree in Tangaroa Terrace is lovely. And remember that Santa is in 5 places around DLR, so if you don't like one location (long line, or he's on a break) you can find him elsewhere.

Those are probably all things you have seen/done in the past, though.

 

[egritz]

Anyone have any insight into the character meet rotation for ¡Viva Navidad!? I really would love to meet the Three Caballeros...am tentatively planning a José Carioca Disneybound and it would be great to get photos with them while dressed the part.

Not sure of the rotation, but I got in line as soon as the Three Caballeros came out because I was sitting in the area waiting for DH & DD, and they were only out for maybe 15 minutes before it switched to Mickey & Minnie (our picture ended up being with M&M)

 

[rentayenta]

Not sure of the rotation, but I got in line as soon as the Three Caballeros came out because I was sitting in the area waiting for DH & DD, and they were only out for maybe 15 minutes before it switched to Mickey & Minnie (our picture ended up being with M&M)

Thanks! Do you know what time the character meets begin and end for the day? We totally missed this the last trip.