Disneyland at Christmas/Holiday Season Superthread #4

[egritz]

I think A&E can be variable regardless of the crowds in the rest of the park. I waited in line for them a week ago Sunday (so 11/16) and it still took 45 minutes after we entered the line. The trade off is that they do spend a fair amount of time with each group and we didn't feel rushed to get our photos and get out.

We were there that afternoon as well. Got in line around 4 and it took 1 hr 20 minutes to get through the line, on top of the 20 minutes I waited for the FP. I was regretting it, but our only other days we started the day in DL were MM so I'm guessing the line for A&E starts during MM and I would have ended up waiting that long anyway & missed the short lines for rides during (trying to rationalize that crazy long wait!) Most of the time when I walked by the A&E area the wait looked to be under 30 minutes

I posted this as it's own thread too, but I know you all here in this thread will be able to cheer me up!!!!!!! (I'm counting on you!)


I'm so disappointed. We will be in LA starting Thursday. The weather looks perfect until Sunday, of course this is when we head to the Grand Californian for our Disney fix for 5 days. The weather looks like rain every day we will be there!!

Why me?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?

We only get to Disney land every 5 years or so, so each trip feels like in needs to be perfect..........

Sigh, maybe the rain will keep the locals away? I need a bright side to look at.....

-Lane

I kept an eye on the weather for our trip last week too, and there was supposed to be rain Tuesday-Friday and the weather was perfect and not a drop fell. Hopefully the forecast will change for you like it did for us! If not, the lines will be low since a lot of people will be hiding from the rain!

 

[JadeDarkstar]

If you are going to see Anna and Elsa just do it early don't go mid day and think oh this wont be long at all. I went early I was there park opening first in my line at the gates. Went from gate to main street line. was 50th or so in line. Got a fast pass for 9:40 was done by 10 AM. Wasn't hard at all also FL rides were walk on's from 9-940 we did 4 or 5 rides. I am still getting my pics uploaded to put in my full trip report but check out Cap banes for some ideas on the trip report board or the link in my signature.

 

[MinnieLovesMickey]

Thank you everyone for letting me know about Duffy . My sister is taking her kids the week after I'm there and her son is obsessed with Duffy also.

I have definitely noticed that the wait times with A&E vary quite a bit, guess we'll just play it by ear. I think the best day for us to try is Friday the 5th since we don't have any kind of plan for that day.

Sherry-I was checking out the holiday offerings on Disney Parks Blog and Rachel responded to someone's question about peppermint ice cream and she confirmed that it will be available at Gibson Girl, she didn't say if it was the real ice cream or the slow churned.

 

[maleficent55]

Hi all, just checking in. We only have 5 more days until we leave and yet I find myself feeling sad and just having a bad week. My eldest kitty had a stroke over the weekend and we had to make the heart breaking decision that he wasn't going to get better. I am so grateful I was able to be there for him, to hold him, and I wasnt away on vacation when something happened to him.. but it is still so final to have to let a pet go. Hard to be excited when my heart is in pieces. I just had to tell someone, carry on your usual Disney related chat. It's all that's getting me through the week

I'm very very sorry, I know that pain. We have had to put three cats down over the past 5 years and it truly is like loosing a family member. I know it hurts, try to conceal and don't feel if you can, but maybe better to let the tears flow: let it go.
I'm glad you could be with Noodles to say goodbye rather than something happen while you were away. Hugs.

 

[Mouseketeers4]

Here are the two quick cell phone pics I took of the PPH tree last week. I'm sorry the app was giving me problems. I was hoping to be able to post pics live during our trip for you guys.

 

[Sherry E]

Here are the two quick cell phone pics I took of the PPH tree last week. I'm sorry the app was giving me problems. I was hoping to be able to post pics live during our trip for you guys.

Thank you so much, Mouseketeers4!

Even though you were not able to post the photos live from the trip, you're still the only one to post photos of this year's PPH tree so far!

I can see that the tree has not changed one bit from last year! I don't think the sea-themed decorations were toned down at all.

 

[MommyJKM]

letitsnow --

Disney doesn't really announce anything about Candlelight (at DLR) anymore, because they don't offer any ways for the general public to get seating. They keep it quiet, for the most part. People either just know it's happening and/or come out to see it because they have seen it before, or they find out about it when they are at DLR and see it in the Times Guide.

I think that people who take the expensive VIP tour have a shot at getting seats, but otherwise the guests are invited by Disney. They may be Disney VIPs, Disney family members, media, Club 33 members, etc.

I am not sure if there is a designated viewing area for the disabled. I haven't seen anything like that.

The rumored -- not official or confirmed -- narrator for both nights of the CP is Beau Bridges.

Our Club 33 Invite says Beau Bridges will be the narrator. My husband said "Is that the one with the eyebrows or the Dad?"

So I can confirm it will be Beau Bridges.

You can go to City Hall and ask about Disability seating - they do it based on the C33 and VIP RSVP's so it may be available and may not.

I am now officially able to take a breather and sigh of relief. I just scheduled the last piece of our Christmas at DL vacation.

3) Ordered the "Mickey's Favorite Things" to decorate our room prior to our arrival (a surprise for my girls)

Just keep in mind they don't do the balloons anymore to the DLH! Apparently we are in a "Helium Shortage" in California. MFT used to have balloons I believe, we just ordered an inroom item we always get and it hasn't come with balloons in a year yet they charge the same price.

 

[Jenasweetemotion]

I posted this as it's own thread too, but I know you all here in this thread will be able to cheer me up!!!!!!! (I'm counting on you!)


I'm so disappointed. We will be in LA starting Thursday. The weather looks perfect until Sunday, of course this is when we head to the Grand Californian for our Disney fix for 5 days. The weather looks like rain every day we will be there!!

Why me?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?

We only get to Disney land every 5 years or so, so each trip feels like in needs to be perfect..........

Sigh, maybe the rain will keep the locals away? I need a bright side to look at.....

-Lane

We leave this Sunday and saw that rain was in the forecast but I was actually excited about it lol. The bright side to me in less people in the park and walk on rides. The rain tends to keep locals away. As long as you are prepared for it is shouldn't put a damper on your vacation.

 

[SweetAlex]

Just keep in mind they don't do the balloons anymore to the DLH! Apparently we are in a "Helium Shortage" in California. MFT used to have balloons I believe, we just ordered an inroom item we always get and it hasn't come with balloons in a year yet they charge the same price.

I believe the helium shortage is global. Such a strange concept isn't it? Here in Canada, stores that make balloon bouquets are having a hard time getting helium anymore because of the shortage. Who knew helium was in such short supply!

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Mommyjkm, thanks for the added Beau Bridges, info. Does the invite officially list 5:30 as the earlier time? I am going on Saturday the 6th.

Weather-wise, I'm wearing shorts right now. I am local and hoping it will be a little cooler when I go to DL next week, as in a few degrees not rain and cold.

 

[dsneygirl]

We just got back last night. Thank you everyone who answered my million questions over the last few months.

I have to say we were blown away by Xmas cheer at DL. We have been really disapointed in all the cutbacks at WDW the last few Dec but DL was amazing.

A few highlights

Viva Navidad~I think we saw this 4x, the music, dancers and energy are just incredible.

Jingle Jangle Jamboree, a blast my kids decorated cookies with Mickey

Characters~EVERYWHERE and no line ups. The longest was A&E, about 40min at park open for a ticket and about 20min with our return time. Oh and about 25min for Baymax and Hiro. We only waited 10min for Jack and Sally. And everyone else was just 1 or 2 families ahead.

Decorations around Buena Vista Street and the tree lighting.

Carsland, I loved the amazing details we went back so many times and saw something different every time.

Saw them working on the gingerbread house at VGC.

Watching WoC from our balcony.

Only downside. On Tues the day we arrived from San Diego with my DH not feeling well he went to the doc and it was shingles. So Tues and Wed were pretty much a write off. We had 5 day hoppers and my DH went to Guest relations and they gave us another 1 day hopper. Fri and Sat we turned it around but it was a disappointing start

I will share some pics because I loved seeing everyone's here.

 

[Mouseketeers4]

So I'm already regretting not shopping more during our trip.



DH bought this Mickey Star Fighter during our trip and DS loves it. I'd like to get more figures to go with it: Minnie, Donald, etc. as other Star Wars characters. Has anyone seen any at the Star Trader store by Star Tours?

I would also like to get DS a Jack Skellington plush but the Disney Store online is sold out. Are there any available in the park? I like the one with him dressed as Sandy Claws, but a regular one would be okay too. If someone comes across these during your trip could you get more info for me so I can call and order from DL (price, location, etc.)? Thanks so much!

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

We are home. It's hard to believe that a week ago, I was getting us all packed to leave. We had a wonderful trip and I plan to do a longer update tomorrow after I can organize my thoughts/photos. I also had planned on sharing more pictures live, but the app issues were so frustrating!

The Carsland tree still wasn't back up on Sunday, which was our last time in the area. I'll be interested to see if it goes back up. Also, does anybody know if the Toontown tree is there (the one by the gazebo)? I didn't see from where we were, but I didn't walk all the way over there to double check. I also never saw the gingerbread house in Storyteller's, so if it's there, it's not in it's usual spot.

I also have a lot of Hallmark movies to catch up on! Thank goodness for the long weekend!

 

[dsneygirl]

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.

We saw them twice last week right after the parade they went right to the meet n greet. Never waited more than a couple minutes. It seemed to be Mickey and Minnie before, Goofy during, the 3 after.

 

[dsneygirl]

Here is a pic from Friday when it first appeared in the lobby

Funny side note. That big Mickey on the left moved constantly depending on what they were working on.

 

[revwog1974]

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.

A few pages ago, Sherry, you said this. Could you please tell what those places are? Thank you!

Thank you for the links to the blogs about food. The other mom in our group and I have been drooling over them. I am just beyond excited about this trip. Thank you all so much for sharing your information!

 

[egritz]

A few pages ago, Sherry, you said this. Could you please tell what those places are? Thank you!

Thank you for the links to the blogs about food. The other mom in our group and I have been drooling over them. I am just beyond excited about this trip. Thank you all so much for sharing your information!

Each hotel lobby has their own Santa (so 3 Santas) and then he is in DL at the Jingle Jangle Jamboree and in DCA at Elias & Co.

 

[Sherry E]

A few pages ago, Sherry, you said this. Could you please tell what those places are? Thank you!

Thank you for the links to the blogs about food. The other mom in our group and I have been drooling over them. I am just beyond excited about this trip. Thank you all so much for sharing your information!

revwog1974 --

You're very welcome!

As egritz said (thanks for answering that, egritz -- I appreciate it, as I didn't get back to the computer until now), Santa will be at each one of the hotels, and in the two parks. He begins appearing at the hotels on Thanksgiving day, and he is there through Christmas Eve.

This year's schedules for Hotel Santa should go up at each one of the hotels tomorrow or Thursday, and they will be posted somewhere around the concierge desks in the lobbies, or Guest Services (or whatever it's called). The schedules may vary slightly from year to year, but you can see Santa's 2013 schedules at each hotel in this post -- HERE.

The Disneyland Hotel photo spot is particularly pretty, but the GCH spot gets a lot of visitors! I have seen long lines of people waiting for Santa at the GCH.

Each of the in-park Santas is at his post for a longer time, though -- meaning that they start appearing on the first official day of the holiday season in mid-November, as opposed to Thanksgiving, when the Hotel Santas appear.

Also, Santa in the red suit disappears from the Jingle Jangle Jamboree in DL after Christmas Eve, but then he sometimes returns to the JJJ in his green plaid 'street clothes.' DIS'er Malcon10t has seen him at least a couple of times at the JJJ, in his green ensemble, after New Year's Day -- but I don't think that Disney likes to advertise/promise that Santa will be at the JJJ after Christmas Eve. I get the feeling that they decide whether or not he will be there in his green plaid outfit as the season goes along.


I'm not sure if he stays at Elias & Co. in DCA beyond Christmas Eve.

 

[egritz]

For anyone who has already visited and ordered the PhotoPass Plus, the holiday borders were just loaded! (I also posted this on the PP superthread). There are some cute new ones that I didn't see last year.

 

[maleficent55]

For anyone who has already visited and ordered the PhotoPass Plus, the holiday borders were just loaded! (I also posted this on the PP superthread). There are some cute new ones that I didn't see last year.

I ordered our photo pass plus back in September or the beginning of October when we were going to go for Halloween, now that we changed our plans and are going next week I hope we don't end up with pumpkin borders vs snowflakes! I'm assuming (hoping) that when you activate your photo pass in the parks it's up to date w/ what season it is vs when you bought it? Hope so!