Disneyland at Christmas/Holiday Season Superthread #4

[tksbaskets]

Great pictures of Viva Navidad Sherry! We enjoyed the food and festivities there. Nice spacious eating area with live music. The parade was a bonus.

Didn't try the sweet Tamale but I think we are our way through the rest of the menu. Given the location I opted for a festive Corn Dog which is a personal weakness.

 

[Sherry E]

Jadedarkstar -- I hope your foot is still healing and that you're feeling better!

Oh my word, Sherry! I can't wait to see this! Thanks for posting the menu - I've been wondering what changes they would make. Did you taste the sweet tamales? If so, how were they?

Escape2Disney --

I was hoping you'd be tuning in! I had already been planning to post Viva Navidad photos on Cinco de Mayo for months (this seemed like an easy holiday season tie-in for my "re-purposing" of holiday season photos for different celebratory occasions), but when you expressed an interest in learning more about Viva Navidad I was thinking, "Hopefully she will be tuning in on Cinco de Mayo!"

I knew the menu would come in handy so I made sure to post photos! Have you checked the Holiday Food/Dining post on page 1 of this thread? I added categories for Viva Navidad and for Three Kings Day in that specific post, with food-related links. (The regular, non-food specific Viva Navidad info is in the DCA post.)

I did not have a chance to try any of the Viva Navidad offerings, sadly. That Sweet Tamale sounds good, as does the homemade pozole. I didn't even make a point of going to see VN until my final day, though I could hear the joyful music and see the performers in the parade from my PPH window every day.

As I have been researching sites and compiling links to go in my Halloween Superthread and in this thread, I have been amazed to discover that there seems to be a whole world of seasonal food out there that I would bet many people don't know about. I certainly didn't know about a lot of it.

We all know about the basic snacks and treats -- themed cake pops; cookies; cupcakes; muffins; fudge, etc. But there are actual meals and "real food" items available for Halloween season and for the holidays that I have been totally unaware of -- such as Pumpkin Squash Chowder at the Harbour Galley!?? I'd never heard of this chowder until I started looking up info on various sites!

Anyway, it just makes me wonder how many seasonal items are actually out there at DLR, at the various table service and counter service restaurants, that we all don't know about!

Great pictures of Viva Navidad Sherry! We enjoyed the food and festivities there. Nice spacious eating area with live music. The parade was a bonus.

Didn't try the sweet Tamale but I think we are our way through the rest of the menu. Given the location I opted for a festive Corn Dog which is a personal weakness.

Thank you, TK --

It felt like I spent my whole day yesterday rounding up photos of Dia de los Muertos and Viva Navidad to post in the Halloween and Christmas/holiday season Superthreads, respectively. So I am happy if anyone enjoys them.

It was a very festive event (and colorful), wasn't it?! I can't imagine that Viva Navidad wouldn't make a return this year, as it was very popular. I gave it high marks and positive comments in both DLR surveys I did about it (one in person, at the VN site, and one online, after my trip). I can only assume that most other people gave it high marks as well.

I found the Viva Navidad music to be really infectious. After I left the Viva Navidad area I felt like shimmying my way through the rest of California Adventure and across the Esplanade to Disneyland!

 

[rentayenta]

Thanks for posting the Viva Navidad photos Sherry! We're going to try some of the goodies this year. I just love street tacos. This little place by me sells them for .75! We can get stuffed on $5.



My accommodations aren't working out exactly as planned so please send some pixiedust my way if you've all got extra to spare.

 

[Sherry E]

Thanks for posting the Viva Navidad photos Sherry! We're going to try some of the goodies this year. I just love street tacos. This little place by me sells them for .75! We can get stuffed on $5.



My accommodations aren't working out exactly as planned so please send some pixiedust my way if you've all got extra to spare.

Jenny --

You're very welcome! A taco for 75 cents is a great deal! You can load up on those for $5. I do love me some bargains. I get very giddy and gleeful when I find a really good item at the 99 Cents Only store (and my nearest store has some cool brand name items for 99 Cents, such as Oreos and Ritz Crackerfuls and all sorts of stuff), or when I find that I can get something on sale for $1.00 or less at Ralphs/Vons!

People often complain about the quality of the Mexican food in Los Angeles (which is interesting considering the large number of options), but they say that the places that usually have the best, most authentic, Mexican food are the small, hole-in-the-wall, nondescript counter service spots.

So I really wondered if Disney was able to serve up decent food for Viva Navidad and Three Kings Day.

Are food trucks a big deal in your area of Utah (as they are out here in L.A. and other big cities)? In the old, old days, food trucks were just simple little, generic, no-frills operations that pulled up and parked on street corners to peddle their inexpensive wares, such as tacos, ice cream sandwiches or real sandwiches. You'd see maybe one or two plain white trucks off to the side of the street, and they weren't so in-your-face.

Then, cupcakes moved into Food Truck Land. And now... the trucks are literally bumper to bumper, lined up across the street from LACMA, the Tar Pits and near the Screen Actors Guild. All of the vehicles have jazzy colors and logos on them, and the food offerings go way beyond sandwiches and tacos now. They've got vegan food, exotic Indian cuisine, Greek food... You name it. If you can think of it, it's in a truck. The whole food truck landscape has changed!


I read the completion of your December TR, but what is the roadblock with this year's December accommodations? Can you not get the dates you need at GCV? I know you had finally gotten the dates worked out and settled. Has something else come up to knock everything out of whack? I will send lots of good luck and your way!

 

[whoopsiedoodle]

Following!!!!

 

[rentayenta]

Jenny --

You're very welcome! A taco for 75 cents is a great deal! You can load up on those for $5. I do love me some bargains. I get very giddy and gleeful when I find a really good item at the 99 Cents Only store (and my nearest store has some cool brand name items for 99 Cents, such as Oreos and Ritz Crackerfuls and all sorts of stuff), or when I find that I can get something on sale for $1.00 or less at Ralphs/Vons!

Me too! I love a good deal. I won't go searching but when I stumble on one, I'm elated.

People often complain about the quality of the Mexican food in Los Angeles (which is interesting considering the large number of options), but they say that the places that usually have the best, most authentic, Mexican food are the small, hole-in-the-wall, nondescript counter service spots.

I agree with this. The Mexican food in Utah is okay except for a couple of, like you describe- hole in the wall type places.

So I really wondered if Disney was able to serve up decent food for Viva Navidad and Three Kings Day.

I don't know but I am willing to try it out.

Are food trucks a big deal in your area of Utah (as they are out here in L.A. and other big cities)? In the old, old days, food trucks were just simple little, generic, no-frills operations that pulled up and parked on street corners to peddle their inexpensive wares, such as tacos, ice cream sandwiches or real sandwiches. You'd see maybe one or two plain white trucks off to the side of the street, and they weren't so in-your-face.

No, not at all. Even in SLC which is a major city they are few and far between. We have taco carts though which I love. Our food trucks are still very simple; tacos or ice cream and that's it.

Then, cupcakes moved into Food Truck Land. And now... the trucks are literally bumper to bumper, lined up across the street from LACMA, the Tar Pits and near the Screen Actors Guild. All of the vehicles have jazzy colors and logos on them, and the food offerings go way beyond sandwiches and tacos now. They've got vegan food, exotic Indian cuisine, Greek food... You name it. If you can think of it, it's in a truck. The whole food truck landscape has changed!

Wow! That sounds kind of fun to me. We have nothing like that. We have a lot of cupcake shops but I am not into those. Gimme a gyro over a cupcake any day. ​

I read the completion of your December TR, but what is the roadblock with this year's December accommodations? Can you not get the dates you need at VGC? I know you had finally gotten the dates worked out and settled. Has something else come up to knock everything out of whack? I will send lots of good luck and your way!

The roadblock is availability at the GCV. Its a super popular time for DVC and Disney because of the lower points. We are truly flexible for the entire first two weeks of December which is good but I am playing the day to day checking, booking, waiting game. I am on a wait list for the GCV (to buy) and I wish it would have come through already. The GCV are near to impossible at 7 months anymore. At first we had some decent luck.

I appreciate the good thoughts and

 

[mlnbabies]

My dh said that we can stay on property in Dec. for my 50th b-day trip. Now to decide between DLH and PP.

Which one does everyone like and why?

 

[Sherry E]

Happy Mother's Day, everyone!

I am not going to do a 'holiday photos re-purposed as Mother's Day photos' installment today, as it would probably end up being too similar to Easter's photos (which involved flowers and what not)!

Also, as we are soon approaching the mid-May point and the Theme Week Countdown is likely going to begin in about 2 1/2 months, now would be a good time to start scaling back the photos and building up anticipation/excitement for the Countdown!

I do hope that all of you who are moms are having a wonderful day with your loved ones!

​

Following!!!!

whoopsiedoodle --

I think I neglected to say to you in this thread as well as in the Halloween Superthread, so ! I'm glad you joined us!

...
The roadblock is availability at the GCV. Its a super popular time for DVC and Disney because of the lower points. We are truly flexible for the entire first two weeks of December which is good but I am playing the day to day checking, booking, waiting game. I am on a wait list for the GCV (to buy) and I wish it would have come through already. The GCV are near to impossible at 7 months anymore. At first we had some decent luck.

I appreciate the good thoughts and

Jenny --

How frustrating, to not be able to get the dates squared away this far in advance, even though you're flexible for an entire 2-week block of time in December. I hope it gets worked out soon, so you can get that part of the planning out of the way and focus on the fun stuff!

My dh said that we can stay on property in Dec. for my 50th b-day trip. Now to decide between DLH and PP.

Which one does everyone like and why?

Welcome, mlnbabies!

This won't help you choose which hotel to stay at, necessarily, but be sure to check out this Hotels of the Disneyland Resort post on page 1. (All of the thumbnails in that post are pictures taken at the 3 Disneyland Resort hotels during the holidays.)

I suspect that most people would advise you to stay at the DLH, just because it is steeped in that familiar Disneyland magic and is a larger resort-type hotel. Each tower of the DLH has different decorations and/or Christmas trees that are themed. (For example, the Adventureland tower has trees with zebras, elephants, thatched-roof huts, etc., dangling from it.) Goofy's Kitchen and Tangaraoa Terrace have interesting trees as well. The DLH rooms are fairly spacious too, and the headboards are fun!

I like the PPH and stay there every December, though it is unquestionably a smaller property than the DLH. It works for me, but it isn't necessarily the choice of others. The PPH rooms are a nice size, and they have sea/beach-themed accents around the room, such as a wooden surfboard lamp. If you are lucky enough to score a PPH room with a California Adventure park view, you won't be disappointed!

The PPH also has a very beautiful Christmas tree, which is bathed in warm, blue-green, glowing lights. Unfortunately, in 2013 that tree also gained some new ornaments and knick-knacks that I am not fond of, but the gorgeous lights were still there!

The PPH is also ever-so-slightly cheaper than the DLH, but still not inexpensive.

Either hotel is a quick walk from DTD and from the parks, as well as being a quick walk from the Grand Californian (which is great to see during the holiday season). Taking the short cut to the parks from the PPH, across the street and through the Grand's lobby, is a lovely way to start the day during the holiday season.

I have stayed at all 3 hotels but it has been a really long time since I stayed at the DLH, although I spend a lot of time wandering around the DLH and/or eating there even if I am staying at the PPH. I think that the sea/beach theme and glowing blue-green tree, as well as the awesome DCA views and nice-sized rooms have sold me on the PPH. However, the Disneyland Hotel has its own special brand of magic that can't be matched!

Stay tuned for our "Hotels" Theme Week during the Theme Week Countdown, which will begin in this thread in 2 1/2 months or so!

There is a Paradise Pier thread - Here -- which may or may not help you make your decision.

 

[rentayenta]

Thanks Sherry, it's been a very relaxing, loving, and filling Mother's Day. Michael and kids made brunch (so good)!

Our December dates did get worked out finally and I was able to score a 2 bedroom at the GCV for Dec 9-15. Thanks for the pixiedust.

Can't wait for theme weeks to start.

 

[Sherry E]

Thanks Sherry, it's been a very relaxing, loving, and filling Mother's Day. Michael and kids made brunch (so good)!

Our December dates did get worked out finally and I was able to score a 2 bedroom at the GCV for Dec 9-15. Thanks for the pixiedust.

Can't wait for theme weeks to start.

Jenny --

Oh that's great! I'm so glad you got the dates and GCV locked down and that hassle is out of the way. I have no idea what my December plans will be at this point, but it is worth nothing that my usual time frame to be there would probably be somewhere in that week of Sunday, 12/7 - Friday, 12/12. Not all of those days, sadly, but at some point -- which means that the latter part of my visit would probably end up overlapping with the first day or two of your trip!

How nice that your family made brunch for you today! When Father's Day rolls around, do you and the kids then make brunch for Michael?

 

[mzspaz]

Joining in to follow along! Our dates are set and we have 3 nights in San Diego before we take the train to Anaheim for 4 nights. Leaning towards DLH for those 4 nights. We are going in early December!

 

[mlnbabies]

Thanks for the info. I would love to stay at the PPH for the view. I want the hotel that has the most comfortable day bed. My 2 girls don't like to sleep together and want to sleep separately. Which one is the best?

 

[Escape2Disney]

So......

I went to one of those Disney nights at the local travel agency, and learned something interesting. According to their "Disney Authorized Agent" that there WILL be a Christmas party at DLH this year. Apparently it'll be like the one at WDW.

I have not verified it with Disney, but thought I'd pass it on in case anyone has a connection they can use to verify. She said they'd be on sale for APs in around a month or so.

 

[rentayenta]

So......

I went to one of those Disney nights at the local travel agency, and learned something interesting. According to their "Disney Authorized Agent" that there WILL be a Christmas party at DLH this year. Apparently it'll be like the one at WDW.

I have not verified it with Disney, but thought I'd pass it on in case anyone has a connection they can use to verify. She said they'd be on sale for APs in around a month or so.

What?! Wow! That's big news. What goes on at the Christmas parties? Wonder if it'll be on one of my dates? That may change things up a bit. We did the MNSSHP in WDW and it was a total blast.





Sherry, heavens no about cooking for DH. I don't cook. We did buy him a Starbucks Verisimo machine with pods though. My oldest is a barista so we got her discount. We'll either BBQ or take him out. Correction, he'll BBQ.

 

[Sherry E]

So......

I went to one of those Disney nights at the local travel agency, and learned something interesting. According to their "Disney Authorized Agent" that there WILL be a Christmas party at DLH this year. Apparently it'll be like the one at WDW.

I have not verified it with Disney, but thought I'd pass it on in case anyone has a connection they can use to verify. She said they'd be on sale for APs in around a month or so.

Thank you so much for reporting in with this rumor, Escape2Disney! I really appreciate it!

I have to be the voice of reason, though! I don't want to cause mass hysteria yet, so it is crucial to say that this information did not come from Disney. It is not official. It is not official until Disney releases/announces something to the public, which may never happen.

Also, the Halloween Party tickets will probably go on sale in July. I cannot fathom any kind of hypothetical DLR Christmas party tickets going on sale before the MHP, given the way Disneyland operates. I cannot even picture Christmas party tickets going on sale at the same time as the MHP tickets. It's too early.

A CM with whom I spoke last year seemed very certain that if there is to be a party at all, it would not take place until after the 60th anniversary.

But we'll see. I am not holding my breath. I don't want a party, but I don't even think that one will actually take place this year, unless it is something like a special, limited one-or-two night event.

I guarantee that Disney will not verify anything yet -- because the CMs on the phone would not know anything, and the ones who would know anything at Disney would not reveal such (potentially) big news as this right now. I'm pretty sure the one person I could ask at Disney would not reveal anything, or would claim to not know.

 

[Escape2Disney]

Thank you so much for reporting in with this rumor, Escape2Disney! I really appreciate it!

I have to be the voice of reason, though! I don't want to cause mass hysteria yet, so it is crucial to say that this information did not come from Disney. It is not official. It is not official until Disney releases/announces something to the public, which may never happen.

Also, the Halloween Party tickets will probably go on sale in July. I cannot fathom any kind of hypothetical DLR Christmas party tickets going on sale before the MHP, given the way Disneyland operates. I cannot even picture Christmas party tickets going on sale at the same time as the MHP tickets. It's too early.

A CM with whom I spoke last year seemed very certain that if there is to be a party at all, it would not take place until after the 60th anniversary.

But we'll see. I am not holding my breath. I don't want a party, but I don't even think that one will actually take place this year, unless it is something like a one-or-two night event.

I guarantee that Disney will not verify anything yet -- because the CMs on the phone would not know anything, and the ones who would know anything would not reveal such (potential) big news as this right now.

Oh, believe me - I get it! I asked her three times and she seemed certain. I really question them being sold at the beginning of Summer if there is a party. I figured I'd post here so we could at least have our ears open for news if/when it should arrive.

I also hope they don't have the party. I'd imagine if they do, it'll really limit what's available to everyone else. I'd rather not have to pony up more money just to see the parade and fireworks.

I hope my post didn't cause any hysteria! I just thought if anyone knew if this was true, it'd be here.

 

[Sherry E]

Oh, believe me - I get it! I asked her three times and she seemed certain. I really question them being sold at the beginning of Summer if there is a party. I figured I'd post here so we could at least have our ears open for news if/when it should arrive.

I also hope they don't have the party. I'd imagine if they do, it'll really limit what's available to everyone else. I'd rather not have to pony up more money just to see the parade and fireworks.

I hope my post didn't cause any hysteria! I just thought if anyone knew if this was true, it'd be here.

Well, we're definitely here to mull over rumors and news, as well as ponder and speculate! That's part of what this thread is for, after all!

Let's just say, for the sake of discussion, that there was going to be a party. I still cannot envision any tickets for a Christmas party going on sale to anyone before or even at the same time as the MHP tickets -- because, as we all know, DLR takes its sweet time in releasing dates and info.

Then there is the issue of the longstanding holiday fireworks show and the longstanding Christmas parade being "old news" at this point -- and would they really be worth spending extra money to see at a party for all of the yearly returning holiday visitors (of which there are many)? Or, would Disney add in a new parade and a new fireworks show to a party? Or, would they, perhaps, have the party in DCA?

I could see something like a "test run" limited deal, with maybe a couple of nights, just to see how it went over with the crowds. I would be surprised if they decided to have a full-fledged Christmas party this year, unless there are new events in the works to be added to a party and we just don't know about them yet.

The one person at Disney that I could or would ask would probably say they didn't know anything (whether or not that would be true is anyone's guess)!

Joining in to follow along! Our dates are set and we have 3 nights in San Diego before we take the train to Anaheim for 4 nights. Leaning towards DLH for those 4 nights. We are going in early December!

I neglected to say to mzspaz!

Thank you for joining us! Early December is my favorite time to visit DLR for the holidays!

Thanks for the info. I would love to stay at the PPH for the view. I want the hotel that has the most comfortable day bed. My 2 girls don't like to sleep together and want to sleep separately. Which one is the best?

minbabies --

You're very welcome!

I was hoping that one of the other followers of this thread who has stayed at both the DLH and PPH recently could address the subject of the daybeds, but no one has spoken up! I have never used the daybed in my PPH rooms (other than for sitting and setting down my bags), but I know that it is kind of a confusing contraption to assemble. I have no experience with the DLH daybeds at all.

 

[mom2rtk]

Sherry, I know it's a big old rumor at this point. And I know that DLR does all sorts of stuff different from WDW. But they do put their Halloween and Christmas party tickets on sale the same day in early May every year. So I wouldn't be surprised if DLR does start a party one day, that they start selling the tickets at the same time they put the MHP tickets on sale.

 

[Sherry E]

Sherry, I know it's a big old rumor at this point. And I know that DLR does all sorts of stuff different from WDW. But they do put their Halloween and Christmas party tickets on sale the same day in early May every year. So I wouldn't be surprised if DLR does start a party one day, that they start selling the tickets at the same time they put the MHP tickets on sale.

Hi, Janet

That's the way it definitely should be handled for DLR. They should plan their big events really early in the year and then release the details, tickets, dates, etc., early on. Given what we know about how DLR handles things and basically assumes that most of the visitor make-up is comprised of locals and semi-regular AP holders who can get back to the parks fairly often, I don't know if they would put Christmas party tickets on sale at the same time as MHP tickets. That would be uncharacteristic of how they usually operate, but anything is possible!

I have stated in the past -- and I maintain this belief -- that if we haven't heard about a Christmas party by late August, I don't think it's happening this year. And if there actually were going to be an official, hard ticket Christmas party, that would be major enough news for DLR to abandon their usual way of doing things and release blogs and articles about it at least a good 4 months before the party was to commence, to get everyone ready for it. (For example, when the MHP moved out of DCA and over to DL it was a major enough development to warrant a Parks Blog announcement in May -- over 4 months in advance of when the MHP would begin.)

So.... keeping that timeline in mind, if there were going to be a major Christmas party on the horizon I'll go out on a limb and say that we should know about it by July-ish (if the party were going to begin in November, that is). Or August, only if the party were going to start in December.

...And July is likely when the MHP tickets will go on sale, as I mentioned before, so... who knows? Maybe there will be some sort of Christmas Party announcement right around the time that the MHP tickets go on sale?

​

I did most of my speculating on potential Christmas party-related scenarios last year, before I made my annual holiday sojourn to DLR. I thought last year -- and I still think now -- that the World of Color-Winter Dreams nightly run in DCA was meant as a test, to see how popular it would be and how effective it would be in a future party situation. This way, the Disneyland masterminds could determine if Winter Dreams was a popular enough event to either entertain the people who would not wish to attend a party in Disneyland, or if Winter Dreams was a viable enough option to be the selling point and centerpiece of a Christmas party held in DCA.

From all that I heard/read about Winter Dreams last year, people either moderately liked it or didn't like it. I did not read too many reviews that indicated that anyone absolutely loved it. A lot of the opinions seemed to veer towards the "It was okay, but I prefer the original" stance.

That said, I don't know if Winter Dreams would really be enough to amuse guests in DCA while a party took place in DL, nor would it be enough of a selling point to be the focus of a party in DCA.

The bottom line is that something else (besides the existing holiday offerings) is going to have to be added in somewhere along the line, either into DL to include as a party exclusive, or into DCA to bulk up the DCA alternatives for those who don't wish to pay for a party in DL.

Another option is to keep building up the seasonal activities in Downtown Disney, which seemed to be the agenda last year. If DLR keeps going forward with that, it will provide another option for party avoiders.

At the end of the day, DLR still only has 2 parks and 3 hotels, compared to WDW's 4 parks (and many, many fun hotels). Even Downtown Disney at WDW has more things to see and do than the DTD at DLR. When a party is held in MK, there are plenty of other places to go for people who still want to enjoy some holiday fun without the extra cost of a party ticket.

If a Christmas party were held in DL -- taking hostage the 2 major, holiday-themed ride overlays on those party nights (a big reason why many visitors go to DLR at that time of year in the first place), as well as the Christmas parade and fireworks -- that would eat into a sizeable chunk of the holiday entertainment for at least 10 nights of the season, without too many other alternatives for holiday merriment.

The Halloween party works at DL because there is almost nothing in the way of Halloween anywhere else in DLR. DLR treats Halloween Time as a smaller, less substantial, event than the holiday season and assumes that many other guests don't really see it as that big of a deal either. Halloween Time is focused in Disneyland park only, so anyone who wants to enjoy Halloween Time is forced to enjoy it in DL. The Halloween party is a major part of the Halloween Time season, and is a big reason why people plan trips during that time of year. The ability to wander around DL dressed as a giant banana and collect candy is very appealing.

It is an easier sell, I think, to get people to buy into the MHP in DL because it is such a large part of an already-limited season. People are almost forced to get MHP tickets to fully flesh out their Halloween trips with a viewing of Halloween Screams and the Cavalcade. You can enjoy Halloween Time without going to the MHP, of course, and I do exactly that! But the MHP is almost necessary to make a Halloween trip complete because it is a smaller-scale season than the holiday season is.

Also, Halloween Time -- as an official season with a name -- has only been in effect since 2006. The Halloween party has been in effect in some capacity or another since 2005, and it had a brief 2-year run in the mid-'90s as well. Halloween Screams debuted in 2009, and then quickly became an MHP exclusive in 2010 -- before anyone really had time to get attached to it as part of the "free" Disneyland Resort Halloween Time entertainment.

Really, Halloween Time as a whole is a pretty young event. It is not steeped in decades of tradition and history, as the holiday season at DLR is.

Too many years have passed with the Believe in Holiday Magic fireworks and Christmas Fantasy Parade being staples of DL's seasonal offerings. I mean, tooooooo many years. They are traditions, firmly woven into the overall Yuletide tapestry of DLR at this point. So there would have to be something really new and exciting thrown into a Christmas party held in Disneyland to appease what DLR seems to believe is a visitor base of mostly locals and sort-of locals, or something else new thrown into DCA to appease the DL party escapees. I don't believe that a Christmas party would take place with only the existing holiday options, as is, without something extra thrown in somewhere.

This could and would, however, be a great time to unveil the long-delayed Toy Story Midway Mania holiday overlay, which was first alluded to by Disney people when TSMM opened 6 years ago. Mr. Potato Head is supposedly ready to deliver witty Christmas-related banter and sing excerpts from familiar songs (all of this was said to have been recorded years ago) with minor effort, so...what is the hold-up, Disney??

Personally, I wish that DLR would first focus on figuring out a way for more people to see Candlelight rather than worry about a party at this point. I don't think Candlelight would be part of a party -- though that would certainly be something extra added into the roster of holiday fare -- because it would conflict with the parade and fireworks, most likely.

There are some similarities and commonalities between the circumstances in which the Halloween party is able to take place, and the circumstances that would facilitate a Christmas party taking place. It's just that one "season" is a much more scaled-down production for which Mickey's Halloween Party has become instrumental, and the other "season" is a major affair and a tradition in and of itself because of the longstanding events that take place within it.

But...if a Christmas party is a-comin,' we should know about it sometime between now and 3 months from now!

 

[mom2rtk]

I think if the party is coming, we'll know about it by at least November 1st, right?

You know, I'd be fascinated with all of this even if we weren't headed for DLR that time of year. It would be very interesting to see if they could find a way to pull it off without ticking off a whole lot of people.

I would actually like to see them offer a party. First, it would allow us as non-AP holders to buy more park access in the week we are there without the expense of an AP I probably wouldn't get to use again or the full price of another single day admission. Second, to sell a party, I think DLR would have to pull out all the stops to appease the regulars, so I have to think they'd find some cool stuff to add in, maybe rare character meets, just the sort of thing I love.

I don't have a clue how they would handle the parade and fireworks. I sure wouldn't want to be in charge of figuring that out.

So for now..........