Disneyland at Christmas/Holiday Season Superthread #4

[planningjollyholiday]

I am very curious about the "winter ornament workshop" that I read about on the Disneyland hotels page. I love all the little offerings at the onsite hotels and want more info about it. What do you get to make? Is there an added cost? Where is the workshop? Hopefully someone who did this last year can comment!

 

[Sherry E]

I am very curious about the "winter ornament workshop" that I read about on the Disneyland hotels page. I love all the little offerings at the onsite hotels and want more info about it. What do you get to make? Is there an added cost? Where is the workshop? Hopefully someone who did this last year can comment!

planningjollyholiday -

I think it was lucysmom who said something about passing by the Workshop last year and not looking into it or not having time for it!

Believe me, if I had known, read or heard more about it I would have added it into that Hotels post on page 1 that you read! You know, I have literally heard of no one on this board actually doing that Workshop! It may have been new to DLR hotel guests last year, but I'm not sure. I had never heard of it before I saw it listed on Jenny's/rentayenta's hotel schedule in her TR, but I had heard a blurb about the "Merriest Holiday Hunt" on my daily in-room calls from the PPH. For some reason, I blanked out on the Hunt (probably because I had a lot of other things going on during this past holiday trip and was getting overwhelmed) and I did not look into it at the front desk, as I should have. If I had looked into the Hunt I probably would have found out more about the Workshop as well!

I would have been all over the Holiday Hunt and the Ornament Workshop if I had been of sound mind and investigated both activities! All I know is that they are for Disney hotel guests, but I am assuming that you can be a guest at any of the 3 hotels in order to participate in the Workshop or the Hunt. In other words, I don't think you have to only be a guest at the GCH to do the Workshop -- I could be wrong, but that would be my guess.

If I am somehow lucky enough to stay onsite again this year -- and I never know for sure if it will happen -- I won't make the mistake of overlooking those activities again! I will definitely do the Holiday Hunt and the Workshop, if they will have me!



P.S. I hadn't planned on it, but somehow I just got involved in watching another full-length holiday movie from 2013 on YouTube! : The Twelve Trees of Christmas!

I had planned to bookmark The Twelve Trees... and save it for later in the year, as it is one of the movies I didn't get to watch on Lifetime last year -- I kept missing it. The video started playing and I thought, "Well, let me just see what the first couple of minutes are about." Sure enough, almost 90 minutes later I had watched the whole thing! It's cute and involves themed trees -- I am all about themed trees! It's not necessarily one of the best movies of the 'lightweight holiday TV fare' lot, but it is certainly worth a viewing. I like the way everyone comes up with what their themes for the trees will be.

 

[tksbaskets]

planningjollyholiday -

I think it was lucysmom who said something about passing by the Workshop last year and not looking into it or not having time for it!

Believe me, if I had known, read or heard more about it I would have added it into that Hotels post on page 1 that you read! You know, I have literally heard of no one on this board actually doing that Workshop! It may have been new to DLR hotel guests last year, but I'm not sure. I had never heard of it before I saw it listed on Jenny's/rentayenta's hotel schedule in her TR, but I had heard a blurb about the "Merriest Holiday Hunt" on my daily in-room calls from the PPH. For some reason, I blanked out on the Hunt (probably because I had a lot of other things going on during this past holiday trip and was getting overwhelmed) and I did not look into it at the front desk, as I should have. If I had looked into the Hunt I probably would have found out more about the Workshop as well!

I would have been all over the Holiday Hunt and the Ornament Workshop if I had been of sound mind and investigated both activities! All I know is that they are for Disney hotel guests, but I am assuming that you can be a guest at any of the 3 hotels in order to participate in the Workshop or the Hunt. In other words, I don't think you have to only be a guest at the GCH to do the Workshop -- I could be wrong, but that would be my guess.

If I am somehow lucky enough to stay onsite again this year -- and I never know for sure if it will happen -- I won't make the mistake of overlooking those activities again! I will definitely do the Holiday Hunt and the Workshop, if they will have me!



P.S. I hadn't planned on it, but somehow I just got involved in watching another full-length holiday movie from 2013 on YouTube! : The Twelve Trees of Christmas!

I had planned to bookmark The Twelve Trees... and save it for later in the year, as it is one of the movies I didn't get to watch on Lifetime last year -- I kept missing it. The video started playing and I thought, "Well, let me just see what the first couple of minutes are about." Sure enough, almost 90 minutes later I had watched the whole thing! It's cute and involves themed trees -- I am all about themed trees! It's not necessarily one of the best movies of the 'lightweight holiday TV fare' lot, but it is certainly worth a viewing. I like the way everyone comes up with what their themes for the trees will be.

Off to YouTube!! I didn't see that one during the holiday season

 

[Phoenixrising]

My DH's has alot of "Grumpy" in him. He tolerates the Christmas season. Although his version of Christmas spirit is decorating our vintage fire truck in Christmas lights. This has alot to do with his family growing up. I tend to think about Christmas year round, simply as I'm frugal, and am always looking for cheap stocking stuffers for the family. Fortunately for him, I'm a bit of Christmas junkie, so I'm the one who puts up the tree, usually the first week of Dec, and starts prepping for Christmas in early Nov, once Halloween is over. However that being said, I just can't get into the true spirit of Christmas till the third week of Nov. I may wrap presents early, but don't really get enthusiatic about it till then. DH like's rock and roll, so it annoys him when I play it all the time. I don't care, as it really get's me into the Christmas spirit when I've got the Christmas music on during the day. I've already started to save for the next trip to DL, actively seeking work, and losing weight. I have to keep the focus constantly on the next trip to DL, otherwise I'd never save up the money it. Although I've promised myself some retail therapy if I lose the weight by the end of Sept, and am on target to do so.

 

[planningjollyholiday]

I have a feeling that the holiday hunt might be similar to the attraction trivia questions where you have to go on the attractions to answer questions from the worksheet they give you. I imagine this would be for the ones with overlays such as the jingle cruise, IASW and HM. The ornament workshop is quite a mystery though!
No youtube christmas movies for me, however, I still have some christmas programs taped on my dvr. Last week I watched the disney parks Christmas parade, and I find myself also watching the guy fieri Disneyland special quite a bit. My oldest DS groans and says, "do we have to watch this again, its almost summer not Christmas! " he usually ends up watching it with me anyway. Last time he proclaimed that it would be so much fun to go when its all decked out for Christmas. If only he knew that in 168 days we'll be there!!!!!

 

[lucysmom]

At the GCH, in the Pinocchio's workshop, you could reserve a time to make their classic character snow globes. They also had them on display on the concierge desk in the GCH lobby. I think they were ten or fifteen bucks to make. They were cute and we thought about making some, but never got around to it. Maybe this year!

 

[Sherry E]

Off to YouTube!! I didn't see that one during the holiday season

TK --

Twelve Trees of Christmas was one of the Lifetime movies from 2013 (as was A Snowglobe Christmas, which I loved), and I don't know if you caught any of those? I know you said that sometimes the Lifetime movies seemed a bit darker. Twelve Trees and A Snowglobe Christmas seemed like they could have easily been on Hallmark.

In fact, a lot of the holiday movies I have found on Lifetime, Ion, Hallmark, UP, ABC Family and INSP have the same actors jumping from role to role (Candace Cameron Bure, Cameron Mathison, Kellie Martin, Alicia Witt, Lacey Chabert, Elisa Donovan, Lauren Holly, etc.), and the same basic predictable plots. They all seem interchangeable, like any of them could move to one of the other channels and fit in just fine.

Twelve Trees... was cute, and I liked the idea of themed trees, but I didn't love the movie. I thought the female lead was appealing. I didn't really care about the guy one way or the other. I liked the library. Interestingly, I think I would have enjoyed the movie better if it had been fall when I watched it, instead of almost summer. As much of a Christmas fanatic as I am, even I have a hard time enjoying holiday movies at this time of year, when it's so hot. I have to get closer to September, I think.

My DH's has alot of "Grumpy" in him. He tolerates the Christmas season. Although his version of Christmas spirit is decorating our vintage fire truck in Christmas lights. This has alot to do with his family growing up. I tend to think about Christmas year round, simply as I'm frugal, and am always looking for cheap stocking stuffers for the family. Fortunately for him, I'm a bit of Christmas junkie, so I'm the one who puts up the tree, usually the first week of Dec, and starts prepping for Christmas in early Nov, once Halloween is over. However that being said, I just can't get into the true spirit of Christmas till the third week of Nov. I may wrap presents early, but don't really get enthusiatic about it till then. DH like's rock and roll, so it annoys him when I play it all the time. I don't care, as it really get's me into the Christmas spirit when I've got the Christmas music on during the day. I've already started to save for the next trip to DL, actively seeking work, and losing weight. I have to keep the focus constantly on the next trip to DL, otherwise I'd never save up the money it. Although I've promised myself some retail therapy if I lose the weight by the end of Sept, and am on target to do so.

Trish --

I think looking forward to Christmas at around the 3rd week in November sounds totally normal, and is what most people do. I may be open to watching holiday movies and listening to holiday music earlier than most normal people, but as I was saying to TK above, even I have trouble watching a true holiday TV movie at this time of year. It doesn't feel right because it's so hot outside! I don't even feel completely right about watching movies during the whole Christmas in July week. I have to get to at least September before I start to really feel "Christmasy"! And then it really kicks in after Halloween ends.

I like the idea of decorating the vintage fire truck in lights -- that's unique! At least your husband tries to get in the spirit in some way, even if he is barely just tolerating the holiday season!

You're right -- you have to look for deals and things year-round (that's when some of the best deals can be found -- early in the year), so you can't just wait until November to start shopping if you can get a good deal on something earlier in the year!

I have a feeling that the holiday hunt might be similar to the attraction trivia questions where you have to go on the attractions to answer questions from the worksheet they give you. I imagine this would be for the ones with overlays such as the jingle cruise, IASW and HM. The ornament workshop is quite a mystery though!

No youtube christmas movies for me, however, I still have some christmas programs taped on my dvr. Last week I watched the disney parks Christmas parade, and I find myself also watching the guy fieri Disneyland special quite a bit. My oldest DS groans and says, "do we have to watch this again, its almost summer not Christmas! " he usually ends up watching it with me anyway. Last time he proclaimed that it would be so much fun to go when its all decked out for Christmas. If only he knew that in 168 days we'll be there!!!!!

planningjollyholiday -

The Holiday Hunt sounds fun, if that's what it is. I would happily do that. I was in the parks, hunting Easter eggs in April, so a holiday hunt is right up my alley!

At least lucysmom was able to shed a little bit of light on what the Ornament Workshop was/is, so that helps! I hope the hotels bring it back again this year!

Your son is in for a big, wonderful surprise! I hope he enjoys seeing DLR for the holidays.

I love the Guy's Disney Holiday special -- and I keep wondering when Food Network is going to remove it from their lineup because it's old. It was shot at DLR in 2008 (!!!), but it debuted on Food Network in November 2009. It has aired on FN every holiday season since, even though Gibson Girl and Candy Palace have been remodeled and changed, and the overall holiday landscape has changed at DLR since then.

The Disney holiday special that used to air on Food Network before Guy Fieri's special was Raven Symone's WDW food-related show. It featured all of the wonderful food-based Christmas displays at the WDW hotels, among other things. When Guy did his show, they got rid of Raven's show forever. Eventually Guy will be replaced with a new show, but I wonder whose show it will be, and when it will appear!

At the GCH, in the Pinocchio's workshop, you could reserve a time to make their classic character snow globes. They also had them on display on the concierge desk in the GCH lobby. I think they were ten or fifteen bucks to make. They were cute and we thought about making some, but never got around to it. Maybe this year!

lucysmom --

Thank you so much for speaking up about the Workshop -- you're the only one who seems to have any knowledge of what it was! I have not seen anyone else mention it! I was prepared to do a search of the thread and find the post where you mentioned the Workshop, but you saved me the trouble!

If they allow adults, I would totally do the Workshop! It sounds like a reasonable price, and it's a fun holiday activity. Plus, I have a whole snowglobe display, so a new one would fit right in! I didn't see the ones on display at the concierge desk, though I think that is the desk where the Santa schedule was, and I went over there to get the schedule.

 

[planningjollyholiday]

At the GCH, in the Pinocchio's workshop, you could reserve a time to make their classic character snow globes. They also had them on display on the concierge desk in the GCH lobby. I think they were ten or fifteen bucks to make. They were cute and we thought about making some, but never got around to it. Maybe this year!

Thanks for the response, sounds like something fun to do when the crowds get too big and we need to escape. Hopefully this year they will have I again.

 

[Sherry E]

You know, I was thinking...

1) When did the whole "Christmas in July" phenomenon begin? As much of a holiday fanatic as I am, I honestly have no idea when that craze started. To me it seems like it is a relatively recent thing and yet, as I was channel surfing last week, I saw a listing for an old, old movie called Christmas in July on TCM (or one of those channels that shows really old films). I also then remembered that a friend of mine had a Christmas in July party (though I think it was in late June) back in the early '90s.; and


2) The other thing I wondered about Christmas in July is... does CIJ take place over the same week in July every year (lets say, for example, always the second week in July), or is it just...the entire month of July, or whichever week in July you feel like celebrating it? This year, the Hallmark Channel's CIJ week begins in early July, but last year Disneyland Resort had its Christmas in July week in the third week of that month.




I figured that it makes sense to begin this year's 4th Annual Theme Week Countdown (here in the Superthread) in late July because of all of the themes that need to be covered over the 3+ months we will be doing the Countdown, but I wondered if late July would technically be considered to be outside of the real "Christmas in July" time frame.

I'm very confused!

​

In any case, a couple of pages back I was telling you (those of you who are interested in or already fans of lightweight, feel-good, low-budget holiday TV movies and specials) that this year's Hallmark Channel Christmas in July week begins on Monday, July 7th, according to a website called Countdown Until Christmas. I also posted the partial list of movies that will be airing during that week (though the list is still being developed, I think).



Well, another little website/blog called It's a Wonderful Movie says that Hallmark's Christmas in July week will actually begin on Friday, July 4th!

It's a Wonderful Movie also says that there will be a new-for-Hallmark Christmas movie called Angels Sing (starring Harry Connick Jr., Connie Britton and Willie Nelson) airing on Hallmark on Saturday, July 12th!

Hallmark didn't run any new holiday movies during last year's CIJ event, as I recall, so this is big news for those who like those kinds of movies and want to get in the holiday spirit for Christmas in July! (It was a theatrical movie that came out in 2013, I think!)

So, between the Countdown Until Christmas website and the It's a Wonderful Movie website, I guess we can deduce that Hallmark's Christmas in July will probably start on the 4th of July, and extend all the way through Sunday, July 13th, with an ever-increasing list of movies being added to the schedule, including the new one.

The real "Countdown to Christmas" on Hallmark will officially begin on Saturday, November 1st, and run until right around January 1st.


And...I am still eagerly awaiting the arrival of the summer issue of Backstage Pass -- the newsletter/calendar/booklet for AP holders which, in 2013, revealed the start dates of Halloween Time season and the holiday season.

While we can narrow down the likely official start date of the holidays at Disneyland Resort to be somewhere between 11/7 and 11/14, I think that somewhere between 11/12 and 11/14 is more likely. The last 2 years the season began on 11/12, no matter what day of the week it was, and DLR could do that again (11/12 will be on a Wednesday this year), although I still expect a lot of holiday things to be up and running -- "unofficially" -- prior to the official start date!

​

First, new Christmas in July movie updates (which I posted just over an hour ago^^^) and now...Monday surprises?




I just commented on this in the Halloween Superthread, but I think it can and will be applicable for the holiday season too.


Who else is thinking what I'm thinking?


This new 'Monday Summer Surprise'/"Get Happier" concept that Erin from the Parks Blog wrote about today seems like a prime way to "announce" bits of news and seasonal developments, doesn't it? She said that there will be (presumably new) surprises every Monday -- from now through Labor Day -- and it could be in the real world, or it could be online.

I'm sure that some of the surprises will happen in the actual parks or at DLR -- but who knows what those will be? Prize giveaways? Special offers?

But I also have a feeling that some of these Monday Surprises will involve the online dates and details that we are all waiting on. Specifically, let's remember what Escape2Disney kindly shared with us a few weeks ago -- a travel agency person told her that there would be a Christmas party at DLR this year... which I immediately dismissed as probably a mistake made by the person who told Escape2Disney. I assumed the person was getting the party idea confused with the Halloween party!

Now, having seen this Parks Blog about the Monday Summer Surprises, I think a Monday Surprise could be the perfect platform/venue in which to announce a Christmas party, if what Escape2Disney was told turns out to be accurate!

Or, if there were going to be, for example, some sort of new holiday event/highlight other than a party coming this year, it could be announced on a Monday as a "surprise."

I guess we all have to closely watch the Parks Blog, Disneyland Today and the Disneyland Facebook/Twitter pages on Mondays from now until Labor Day -- these surprises may show up in the morning or in the middle of the afternoon!

I guess this could be both exciting and frustrating at the same time!

 

[JadeDarkstar]

oh i just hope if there is a party this year it is started when all the rest of the Christmas stuff starts and not only for Dec visits.

Please let there be a Christmas party pleaseeeeee

 

[wdwgirl03]

Subscribing to this thread! My dad, sisters, and I just booked our flights to California a couple weeks ago and will finally be visiting Disneyland again (Dad and I haven't been there since 2007, one sister hasn't been there since 2005, and the other sister hasn't been there ever!). We are WDW veterans and have been several times during the holidays. Actually, my two Disneyland trips have been around the holidays too since we went to the Rose Bowl. One of my absolute favorite holiday traditions at Disney World are the dream lights on Cinderella Castle so I can't wait to see Disneyland's version! There's nothing like Disney at the holidays!

Also...this might be a stupid question but does Disneyland only do their holiday parade during the holiday season? If I'm remembering correctly that's how it was when we went last time.

 

[lucysmom]

I really want all the holiday offerings at DL to stay the same. If they are going to start a ticketed party I hope they have all new events and they hold it at DCA.

 

[Sherry E]

oh i just hope if there is a party this year it is started when all the rest of the Christmas stuff starts and not only for Dec visits.

Please let there be a Christmas party pleaseeeeee

Jade --

You may get your wish, but we'll see what happens. We'll have to stay glued to these "Monday Surprises" by Disney each week, to see if any big announcements come out.

Subscribing to this thread! My dad, sisters, and I just booked our flights to California a couple weeks ago and will finally be visiting Disneyland again (Dad and I haven't been there since 2007, one sister hasn't been there since 2005, and the other sister hasn't been there ever!). We are WDW veterans and have been several times during the holidays. Actually, my two Disneyland trips have been around the holidays too since we went to the Rose Bowl. One of my absolute favorite holiday traditions at Disney World are the dream lights on Cinderella Castle so I can't wait to see Disneyland's version! There's nothing like Disney at the holidays!

Also...this might be a stupid question but does Disneyland only do their holiday parade during the holiday season? If I'm remembering correctly that's how it was when we went last time.

Welcome, wdwgirl03!

Thank you for joining us!

I agree -- the combination of Disney and the holidays is amazing! The word "magical" seems so overused and cliché at this point, but I really can't think of a better word to describe the overall feeling of being at Disneyland Resort during the holiday season. It is magical!

The Winter Enchantment icicle lights on the Castle are stunning -- although last year they seemed a bit more sparse than they had been in previous years, like some of the turrets had empty spaces without lights, or like the lights were not as bright. I hope they're back to normal this year!

When is your trip taking place in December (I see that it's December in your signature)? Will it be early in December or late in the month?

Yes -- if there is no Christmas party this year, the Christmas Fantasy Parade should tape for ABC in early November, then run on a daily/nightly schedule from mid-November through January 5th or 6th. If there is a Christmas party this year, then the parade will probably become an exclusive of the party and the schedule would change a bit, but it will still only happen during the holiday season.

I really want all the holiday offerings at DL to stay the same. If they are going to start a ticketed party I hope they have all new events and they hold it at DCA.

lucysmom --

Well, you know my feelings on it, as I have been very vocal about it. I agree with you -- if there is going to be a charge, there had better be all-new events instead of the same old events that have been going on for years, or they should have it in DCA. If Disney tries to have a party with the old Christmas parade and old holiday fireworks and charge $60 for it, they will catch a lot of backlash for it!

Next year I think there is a possible chance of a new nighttime parade for the 60th anniversary celebration, in which case A Christmas Fantasy Parade may be shelved for a while. So I wonder if this year will be the last time to see the Christmas parade for a couple of years...or forever? It seems like it would be a good time (next year) to kind of move out the old parade and move in a new one, using that as a selling point for a party.

The Halloween Party debuted (after a 9-year absence) at DLR in 2005, the year of the 50th anniversary. I could easily see the 60th anniversary year as being the time to spring a Christmas party on us, but these new Monday Summer Surprises from now through Labor Day have me suspicious!!

 

[mybestieismickey]

We are booked for Dec 2-6 at Desert Inn! We are so excited. We haven't been at Christmas time since 2007 so we are definitely due. But the best part? We get to take our DD for her first trip!!! She'll be 10 months and we think she'll have a blast. DH will sometimes zig zag her stroller on walks and when she laughs he says "See she is totally going to be ready for Disney!"

The next step is convincing the in-laws to join us. If DSIL's September trip falls through (likely), she will come with and then so will DMIL and DFIL. But they won't come without DSIL.

Six months!!!

 

[Sherry E]

To answer my question from yesterday, after looking on Wikipedia I learned that Christmas in July really first got off the ground in the 1930s and 1940's -- or that is when it started to become a "thing." I think it picked up a lot of steam in more recent decades, though.

Also, "Christmas in July" is apparently quite relevant to our friends in Australia and other places in the Southern Hemisphere (Luisa, please confirm or deny that fact!), because July is part of their winter season. Their actual Christmas season -- summer starts in December -- is probably sunny and warm (not unlike how it often is here in Southern California, to be honest!)!

I still can't seem to establish if Christmas in July is supposed to take place throughout that entire month, or only for one designated week. I really don't mind one designated week (or 10 days, in Hallmark Channel land!), as it will leave more room to be excited for the holiday season in November. I like the anticipation and build-up to the season, and if there is too much Christmas in July it can dampen the fun just a wee bit for me.

I'm still not sure how I feel about the brand new Christmas movie (Angels Sing) with Harry Connick Jr. debuting on July 12th, because I feel like Hallmark could and should have saved that one for the Countdown to Christmas later in the year! I mean, I'll still watch it, of course, but I would have preferred that it debuted in November or December!

​

We are booked for Dec 2-6 at Desert Inn! We are so excited. We haven't been at Christmas time since 2007 so we are definitely due. But the best part? We get to take our DD for her first trip!!! She'll be 10 months and we think she'll have a blast. DH will sometimes zig zag her stroller on walks and when she laughs he says "See she is totally going to be ready for Disney!"

The next step is convincing the in-laws to join us. If DSIL's September trip falls through (likely), she will come with and then so will DMIL and DFIL. But they won't come without DSIL.

Six months!!!

Welcome, mybestieismickey! I'm so glad you joined us!

Yes, I'd say you are definitely due for another Christmas trip to Disneyland, and I think your DD will love it! That's a good idea -- zig zag the stroller to get her ready for the rides! How cute!

I hope that you're able to get all of the in-laws on board -- not that DSIL's September trip falling through would be a good thing, of course, but if it means that you can have the whole family there for a wonderful Christmas trip then it will be great, and very rewarding.

As I'm sure you've seen and read about over the years, the whole holiday landscape at DLR has changed quite a bit. There are some things that were at DLR in December 2007 that I kind of wish were still there in subsequent seasons (I will always miss the candy cane-striped CALIFORNIA letters in front of DCA). At the same time, so many things have been added in that are fantastic.

There are still a lot of people who think that DCA is lacking in holiday décor in comparison to DL. While that is true -- there is probably not as much holiday décor per land in DCA as there is in Disneyland -- almost every land in both parks has something, even if it is just a little bit of garland or a random wreath. Some of the décor is obvious, elaborate and vibrant, while other décor is a bit more understated and minimal, but all of the lands -- with the exception of Tomorrowland and Condor Flats -- have some sort of holiday touches. And all of the hotels have their own themed décor too (which has changed since 2007).

I've said it in this thread before, but last year I felt that, between Downtown Disney, all of the shops and restaurants, the 3 hotels and the 2 parks, the entire Resort was really enveloped in holiday magic and merriment compared to previous years. There were trees, lights, wreaths and/or garland where I didn't expect to see them (like the tree in Tangaroa Terrace, for example). There were gingerbread houses (in Storytellers Café, the Cozy Cone office and in White Water Snacks). There were stunning lights, ornaments, color schemes, themed holiday music, gigantic decorations and tiny decorations, delicious treats, festive entertainment, etc. -- everywhere.

I actually felt that 2013 was a much more complete, thoroughly involved, holiday season than I remembered experiencing at DLR in a long time -- and that is saying a lot, as I have been championing the holiday season at DLR for years and years! To be honest, I felt that last year was so grand and wonderful that I worry that DLR won't be able to keep up that pace and level of immersion each year. I feel that they built it up and then will be forced to scale it back in some areas here and there, where they think people won't notice as much. Hopefully that won't happen right away -- hopefully they can keep up the level of holiday immersion for another few years -- but we'll see.

In any case, there will be many familiar holiday sights that you will remember from 2007, and there will be many new seasonal things to see as well! It should be an amazing trip!

 

[crystal1313]

I really want all the holiday offerings at DL to stay the same. If they are going to start a ticketed party I hope they have all new events and they hold it at DCA.

Totally agree!

 

[wdwgirl03]

Welcome, wdwgirl03!

Thank you for joining us!

I agree -- the combination of Disney and the holidays is amazing! The word "magical" seems so overused and cliché at this point, but I really can't think of a better word to describe the overall feeling of being at Disneyland Resort during the holiday season. It is magical!

The Winter Enchantment icicle lights on the Castle are stunning -- although last year they seemed a bit more sparse than they had been in previous years, like some of the turrets had empty spaces without lights, or like the lights were not as bright. I hope they're back to normal this year!

When is your trip taking place in December (I see that it's December in your signature)? Will it be early in December or late in the month?

Yes -- if there is no Christmas party this year, the Christmas Fantasy Parade should tape for ABC in early November, then run on a daily/nightly schedule from mid-November through January 5th or 6th. If there is a Christmas party this year, then the parade will probably become an exclusive of the party and the schedule would change a bit, but it will still only happen during the holiday season.

Thank you for the welcome! So excited to finally be going back to Disneyland! I definitely agree that the holidays in Disney are magical!

We will be going after Christmas. My sister and I are both teachers so we don't have as much flexibility in our schedules. We are planning on going to the Rose Parade again on New Year's Day.

OK, that is what I thought about the parade. At WDW it only runs at Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, and then like the week around Christmas. Though I was kind of hoping to see the regular parade!

 

[Sherry E]

Thank you for the welcome! So excited to finally be going back to Disneyland! I definitely agree that the holidays in Disney are magical!

We will be going after Christmas. My sister and I are both teachers so we don't have as much flexibility in our schedules. We are planning on going to the Rose Parade again on New Year's Day.

OK, that is what I thought about the parade. At WDW it only runs at Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, and then like the week around Christmas. Though I was kind of hoping to see the regular parade!

wdwgirl03 --

I think that if and when we ever end up with a Christmas Party at Disneyland (and I really didn't think we would for another couple of years because the overall sentiment didn't seem to lean towards people wanting one), the Christmas Fantasy Parade will either be replaced with an all new parade that would be part of the party, or it would stick around as a party exclusive while another party ran on non-party days and nights. I think that there might be a new nighttime parade next year, for Disneyland's 60th anniversary -- in which case, I don't know what the fate of the Christmas Fantasy Parade will be at that point.

Our Christmas parade and our holiday fireworks have each been around for so, so, so long as part of the regular roster of holiday entertainment at Disneyland. That, in and of itself, is one reason why it would be very controversial to have a hard ticket Christmas party at Disneyland -- the returning annual holiday visitors and locals (who make up the bulk of Disneyland visitors) would not be happy about paying another $60 for the same old parade and fireworks they have been watching for years.

So Disney would probably have to come up with all new entertainment for a party in Disneyland, to get their annual holiday visitors and locals to buy tickets, or they'd have to have the party in California Adventure and make World of Color-Winter Dreams the selling point of the party.

As it stands now, though, unless we hear about a Christmas party debuting this year, the Christmas Fantasy Parade will be the parade that runs all through the entire holiday season!

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More holiday TV/movie fun...

Since the Countdown Until Christmas website does not have an actual newsletter that they send out, the next best thing for me to do was to subscribe to their feed, so that I can get updates on holiday/Christmas TV and movie fun as it comes in, hot off the press. Today I noticed that there was something new in the feed!

We already know that the regular Hallmark Channel's Christmas in July festivities begin on Friday, July 4th, and end on Sunday, July 13th -- and on Saturday, July 12th will be the Hallmark debut of Angels Sing, with Harry Connick Jr. (which, as I found out, is not completely new, nor is it an actual Hallmark movie).

Also on July 4th, over at the Hallmark Movie Channel (which is different than the regular Hallmark channel), they will be getting into the Christmas in July spirit too, with a less upbeat, more serious group of holiday movies. Here is the partial list and info.


And... once again (because it has changed in the last week)... here is an updated, partial list of the regular Hallmark Channel's Christmas in July offerings (it is still being added to, though). You will see that the movies playing on Hallmark are not the same (more somber) movies playing on the Hallmark Movie Channel.

The It's a Wonderful Movie website seems to have a slightly different idea of which movies will run on Hallmark for CIJ, and their list includes Let it Snow.

So, who knows which movies will end up on which channels? Either way, Christmas in July begins on July 4th -- at least in Hallmark Land it does.


In Disneyland, CIJ will probably begin in the 2nd or 3rd week of July or so (maybe the return of Christmas in July at DLR will be one of the "Get Happier"/Monday Summer Surprises they reveal)?



ETA: For some odd reason, in all my searching of the Internet for bits and pieces about DLR-related info and Hallmark Countdown to Christmas-related info, I never saw this wonderful article until today! Where has it been hiding, and why did it suddenly appear? It is an article from TIME, from 2012 -- and yet, it sounds exactly as though it could have been written this year or last year! It pretty much describes all of the reasons why the Hallmark Christmas movies are addictive and satisfying! Enjoy! -- "The Most Wonderful Time of The Year: The Brilliance of Hallmark Channel’s Countdown to Christmas," by Graeme McMillan, TIME, November 21, 2012

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[KCmike]

Well after much discussion and flopping back and forth and waiting for airfare deals things finally came together late this afternoon. My wife and I really need to get away from KC and spend some quality time together. When Southwest Airlines finally produced some decent airfare deals (tues - thurs this week) we pulled the trigger. We both had many advantages to either going to WDW or DL. WDW has the new Dwarves mine cart ride and magic bands. DL has my favorite Disney park and I just can't get enough of the blue Pacific Ocean. So today we pulled the trigger for a SoCal getaway in November. I really wanted to visit DL at Halloween Time but the times we could both take off ended up being during our Anniversary time. So it looks like another Christmas visit if the dates line up again. We will end up going around Nov. 12th - 14th. We are going to take a few days before DL to go up to Santa Barbara and just unwind. I've never been there before and am so excited. Any thoughts on where to stay in Santa Barbara? Any must see places in or around there?

Now back to DL we plan on doing on our quality favorites - Steakhouse 55, Haunted Mansion Overlay, World of Color, and all the Christmas extras but the one thing I need to finally knock off my list is Walt's Apartment. We have done the Walk in Walt's Footsteps before but when they added this to the list I knew I had to redo it just for the sake of this. I hope to splurge outside of DL so we will probably do BWPPI or Fairfield Inn on Harbor Blvd.. Anyways its nice to be able and so blessed to be able to go visit one of my favorite places.

 

[Sherry E]

Well after much discussion and flopping back and forth and waiting for airfare deals things finally came together late this afternoon. My wife and I really need to get away from KC and spend some quality time together. When Southwest Airlines finally produced some decent airfare deals (tues - thurs this week) we pulled the trigger. We both had many advantages to either going to WDW or DL. WDW has the new Dwarves mine cart ride and magic bands. DL has my favorite Disney park and I just can't get enough of the blue Pacific Ocean. So today we pulled the trigger for a SoCal getaway in November. I really wanted to visit DL at Halloween Time but the times we could both take off ended up being during our Anniversary time. So it looks like another Christmas visit if the dates line up again. We will end up going around Nov. 12th - 14th. We are going to take a few days before DL to go up to Santa Barbara and just unwind. I've never been there before and am so excited. Any thoughts on where to stay in Santa Barbara? Any must see places in or around there?

Now back to DL we plan on doing on our quality favorites - Steakhouse 55, Haunted Mansion Overlay, World of Color, and all the Christmas extras but the one thing I need to finally knock off my list is Walt's Apartment. We have done the Walk in Walt's Footsteps before but when they added this to the list I knew I had to redo it just for the sake of this. I hope to splurge outside of DL so we will probably do BWPPI or Fairfield Inn on Harbor Blvd.. Anyways its nice to be able and so blessed to be able to go visit one of my favorite places.

Hi, Mike!

So it's back to DLR for the holidays? I remember that you said that you were considering a Halloween Time visit and I wondered if you would end up doing it. It's too bad that Halloween isn't happening yet, but at least you already know that you enjoy the holiday season at DLR, so it will be great!

I hope that the season will have officially begun by the time your trip happens -- I don't know if DLR will go with another 11/12 start date, or if they will start the season on 11/14. It only matters in terms of entertainment and which events will have started yet, as last year there were things that started one week after the season began. The decorations would mostly be up by then, though. IASWH will have started, I'm pretty sure.

I think Walt's Apartment sounds amazing, as does Steakhouse 55, etc.

I have not been to Santa Barbara in many years, but it is very beautiful in spots (you will get some fantastic photos). There is someone on the board who is well-versed in Santa Barbara, or who recently took a trip through there, and I am trying to recall who it is so you can read their recap and maybe get ideas. My mind is drawing a blank at the moment, but it will come to me.

By the way, the 4th Annual Theme Week Countdown will begin in this thread towards the end of next month -- I am starting it a little earlier than I did last year, to accommodate for an extra theme or two thrown in! I hope you will be participating!