Disneyland at Christmas/Holiday Season Superthread #4

[dolphingirl47]

I think I am going to have to do a checklist of the photos I want to take. There is so many photos that I see that I think "I want that kind of photo for my trip report". And of course, it will help for the countdown next year as well.

I am still in shock about Robin William's passing. This is now the third of my "heroes" from my teenage years who is no longer with us (the other two were Michael Jackson and Patrick Swayze) and in a strange way it makes me very aware of my own mortality.

Corinna

 

[kylie71]

I feel the same exact way! Its just hard to believe, such a vibrant person, and so well liked and loved, could feel so alone and sad enough to take his own life... I honestly do not think he had a clue how loved he was!!!

Last night Lauren Bacall also passed away, they say it happens in 3's, who is next?

--Lori

 

[Brunolvr]

It has been on my "bucket list" for years to see Disneyland at Christmastime. So, finally, this December my adult daughter will accompany me for this 1st time trip. We will arrive on December 2nd, staying for 3 nights at the DL Hotel.

I'll take the time to read all the info I can but have a few questions. What should I make sure we not miss since this will be my 1st and final trip to DL at Christmastime? Any little "secrets" or places only the longtime DL visitors know about?

I would love to see World of Color but after reading about it, I know with my bad back, I wouldn't be able to stand that long in line.

Disneyland, here we come!!!

 

[rentayenta]

It has been on my "bucket list" for years to see Disneyland at Christmastime. So, finally, this December my adult daughter will accompany me for this 1st time trip. We will arrive on December 2nd, staying for 3 nights at the DL Hotel.

I'll take the time to read all the info I can but have a few questions. What should I make sure we not miss since this will be my 1st and final trip to DL at Christmastime? Any little "secrets" or places only the longtime DL visitors know about?

I would love to see World of Color but after reading about it, I know with my bad back, I wouldn't be able to stand that long in line.

Disneyland, here we come!!!

This is wonderful!

 

[Misskitty3]

[

misskitty3 --

when the parade is taped it is usually done over 2 days -- most likely it will be 11/7 and 11/8 this year. I have the dates on which it was taped last year, as well as the expected/probably dates for this year in this post from page 1.

It would not be a bad idea to head to dca on 11/8, as the parade taping will increase crowds -- especially on and any anywhere close to main street.

I think that the names of the celebrities making an appearance at the parade will be released beforehand, but i'm not sure if the info will be released via the parks blog or abc. The parks blog did a piece about the parade taping last year -- with the names of all involved -- but it was after the fact, not before it!

I think that, unless there is some sort of crazy wrench thrown into the season -- like a new christmas party that will affect the entertainment schedule in some way -- the parade should hopefully be happening on your weekend (as should the believe in holiday magic fireworks).

If dlr is starting the holiday season (officially) on friday, 11/14 -- which, of course, has still not been revealed -- it is possible that there could be some nights in between the parade taping and 11/14 that the christmas fantasy parade doesn't run. However, if the official season start date is earlier in the week, like 11/10 or 11/12, it's possible that dlr may just decide to keep running the parade after the taping is done.

Of course, not only have we not yet gotten a confirmed official start date for the holiday season, but we don't know of any potential new holiday happenings that could affect the entertainment line-up for the whole season.

It's now august 12th -- we're past the time that the parks blog revealed the season start date last year. At this point last year we not only had the official, confirmed date of the holiday season, but we had learned about world of color-winter dreams in july!!!! In 2012 we learned about the 20-night candlelight ceremony on august 15th.


(get moving, disneyland! We want dates! Official, confirmed season dates. Dates are important. Dates are necessary. We also want info about anything new that we should be expecting to happen this year in november, december and early january. Even if there is not anything new, we need dates and info! What is with the delay??)
noon/evening.





[/center]

Thank you for this information! Saturday will be our 1st day in the park and so we will have our MM that day. DD will want to do Splash Mountain about a dozen times once it opens and then maybe we will head over to CA. We are only in the parks on Sat, Sun and Monday before we head home on Tuesday.

When they tape the parades, do they usually stick to the regular parade hours of later afternoon?

Santa?!?!

Totally awesome!!!

 

[petals]

Santa?!?!

I loled! Love it!

 

[Sherry E]

It has been on my "bucket list" for years to see Disneyland at Christmastime. So, finally, this December my adult daughter will accompany me for this 1st time trip. We will arrive on December 2nd, staying for 3 nights at the DL Hotel.

I'll take the time to read all the info I can but have a few questions. What should I make sure we not miss since this will be my 1st and final trip to DL at Christmastime? Any little "secrets" or places only the longtime DL visitors know about?

I would love to see World of Color but after reading about it, I know with my bad back, I wouldn't be able to stand that long in line.

Disneyland, here we come!!!

Welcome to the Disneyland at Christmas/Holiday Season Superthread, Brunolvr!

I thought that someone else would have responded to you and given some ideas, but no one did!

Well, first of all, let me say that you are in for a treat! If you love Christmas/the holiday season, you will absolutely adore it at Disneyland Resort. It is -- and I don't think I am the only one who feels this way -- absolutely wonderful, charming, magical, enchanting, beautiful, etc. I think that you and your daughter will have a great time!



I will suggest all of the expected, obvious things to do/see, but chances are that you would discover them anyway:

Seeing the Winter Castle at night (aglow in icicles);

Riding It's a Small World Holiday (and see that at night too, as the lights are stunning);

Haunted Mansion Holiday;

Jingle Cruise (the Jungle Cruise with holiday touches);

Viva Navidad in California Adventure (a vibrant, jubilant, uplifting celebration);

A Christmas Fantasy Parade; and

Believe in Holiday Magic Fireworks (with snowfall on Main Street at the end of the show), etc.



However, if your bad back might be an issue for Winter Dreams, it could be an issue when waiting for the parade or fireworks too. (I have a bad back as well, so I can empathize!)


You might also want to try the Holiday Time tour, so you can get reserved seats for the Christmas Fantasy Parade, as well as priority boarding on Haunted Mansion Holiday and It's a Small World Holiday. You will also get a treat sample of some kind, a pin and a cookie and cocoa.



Some holiday things that some people may miss around Disneyland Resort:

The Storybook Land Canal Boat ride. There are teeny tiny Christmas decorations on the cottages and lawns along that ride, which a lot of people probably overlook;

The "Winter Ornament Workshop" for onsite hotel guests only. At the Grand Californian Hotel (easy to walk to from the Disneyland Hotel, the Workshop was making snow globes last year);

The "Merriest Holiday Hunt" (another onsite hotel guest exclusive; I have not done it and no one seems to know what it entails because it has been kept quiet, but I'm sure it will be available again this year -- it must be a scavenger hunt sort of thing);

IF it is happening during your time at Disneyland Resort -- and I am not sure if it will be, as the schedule is very limited -- the Gingerbread Workshop at Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen in Downtown Disney is very popular;

There is an ice rink in Downtown Disney as well;

Take some time to visit the Grand Californian Hotel lobby and have a seat in one of their deceptively comfortable chairs, or in front of the nearby hearth. You can get a snack or beverage and bring it with you. The giant Christmas tree, the pianist, guitarist, Dickens Carolers and Santa all appear in the lobby during the season, and the atmosphere is really relaxing and festive at the same time;

If you and your daughter like the occasional adult beverages, Trader Sam's in the Disneyland Hotel always gets rave reviews, and there are also fun Christmas decorations inside;


Don't miss the small gingerbread houses in Storytellers Café at the Grand Californian Hotel and in White Water Snacks (also at the GCH);

Check out the miniature gingerbread model of the Cozy Cone in the office of the Cozy Cone Motel in Cars Land;

Visit the Jingle Jangle Jamboree in Frontierland for music, holiday crafts, a petting zoo, characters in holiday attire, candy cane-colored cotton candy, etc.;

You could order an In-Room celebration for your hotel room (with a mini-Christmas tree, basket or stocking of some sort); and

If you are up for a visit with Santa, he can be found at all 3 hotels and in both parks.



I could go on and on, and I'm sure I would still leave out a bunch of things!! Hopefully someone else here will be able to think of something else to suggest to you!

Stick around -- we have been doing our annual Theme Week Countdown in this thread for the last few weeks (which features lots of Disneyland Resort holiday photos broken down into themes), and will be doing it all the way up to Monday, 11/3. We are on our 4th theme of the Countdown this week (Buena Vista Street and Hollywood Land), and we have already covered 3 themes (Santa Claus/PhotoPass/Holiday Characters; Believe in Holiday Magic Fireworks/A Christmas Fantasy Parade; and It's a Small World Holiday/Fantasyland). Lots of photos have been posted, and there are lots more to come.

We can help you try to find info if you don't know where to look in the thread, or on the forum.

Thank you for this information! Saturday will be our 1st day in the park and so we will have our MM that day. DD will want to do Splash Mountain about a dozen times once it opens and then maybe we will head over to CA. We are only in the parks on Sat, Sun and Monday before we head home on Tuesday.

When they tape the parades, do they usually stick to the regular parade hours of later afternoon?

Misskitty3 --

You're very welcome!

If this calendar from last year (from our very own wdwinfo.com site) is correct, it appears that on 11/8 and 11/9 the parade had a usual schedule. I find it curious that the parade had the exact schedule it normally has on non-taping days, but I would imagine that there are some stops and starts -- you know, they probably have to stop everything if some bit of footage has been compromised, or if the lighting is not right or whatever, and then resume taping.

​

 

[marlana323]

Thank you Sherry for your response to Brunolvr! It helped me tremendously too being our first time.

I don't have anything to contribute but have been loving everyone's posts and photos. Just wanted to say thanks all!!

I'm following the code word challenge too....just wanted you to know I'm following along but don't have much to add. Next year though...look out! LOL

 

[kylie71]

Welcome Marlana! I hope you have a Wonderful trip to DLR over the holidays! When are you going? Is this your first trip?

Its very Magical!

--Lori

 

[marlana323]

Thanks Kylie. We are going the 7-12. It's our second trip and first over the Christmas holiday. My daughter's 8th birthday also falls in there. We (I) can hardly wait.

 

[tksbaskets]

It has been on my "bucket list" for years to see Disneyland at Christmastime. So, finally, this December my adult daughter will accompany me for this 1st time trip. We will arrive on December 2nd, staying for 3 nights at the DL Hotel.

I'll take the time to read all the info I can but have a few questions. What should I make sure we not miss since this will be my 1st and final trip to DL at Christmastime? Any little "secrets" or places only the longtime DL visitors know about?

I would love to see World of Color but after reading about it, I know with my bad back, I wouldn't be able to stand that long in line.

Disneyland, here we come!!!

I'll second everything Sherry mentioned above. I'd strongly consider taking the guided Holiday Tour. We've done it twice (I preferred the earlier tour as I am better able to take decent pictures in daylight). As for World of Color - I'd suggest renting a wheel chair that evening and then using your WOC Fastpass (that you get in the morning or get as part of a dining package - we did the boxed lunch at Wine Country T.) and then sitting in the wheelchair area. You could stand for part of it if you want but I think you could see enough (and your DD could be in the area with you) that you would really enjoy the show.

Take time to enjoy Mainstreet at night. It is truly magical

You may think this will be your only time at DL during the holidays if you are like many of us here you'll find a way to get back again or just enjoy vicariously through this AWESOME thread.

TK

 

[ashnjam]

marlana323 that was our exact dates we went last year. You will love it the parks are beautiful and the crowds were light. It was crazy the amount of stuff we could get done by getting there at RD. Have a blast!

 

[Brunolvr]

Welcome to the Disneyland at Christmas/Holiday Season Superthread, Brunolvr!

I thought that someone else would have responded to you and given some ideas, but no one did!

Well, first of all, let me say that you are in for a treat! If you love Christmas/the holiday season, you will absolutely adore it at Disneyland Resort. It is -- and I don't think I am the only one who feels this way -- absolutely wonderful, charming, magical, enchanting, beautiful, etc. I think that you and your daughter will have a great time!



I will suggest all of the expected, obvious things to do/see, but chances are that you would discover them anyway:

Seeing the Winter Castle at night (aglow in icicles);

Riding It's a Small World Holiday (and see that at night too, as the lights are stunning);

Haunted Mansion Holiday;

Jingle Cruise (the Jungle Cruise with holiday touches);

Viva Navidad in California Adventure (a vibrant, jubilant, uplifting celebration);

A Christmas Fantasy Parade; and

Believe in Holiday Magic Fireworks (with snowfall on Main Street at the end of the show), etc.



However, if your bad back might be an issue for Winter Dreams, it could be an issue when waiting for the parade or fireworks too. (I have a bad back as well, so I can empathize!)


You might also want to try the Holiday Time tour, so you can get reserved seats for the Christmas Fantasy Parade, as well as priority boarding on Haunted Mansion Holiday and It's a Small World Holiday. You will also get a treat sample of some kind, a pin and a cookie and cocoa.



Some holiday things that some people may miss around Disneyland Resort:

The Storybook Land Canal Boat ride. There are teeny tiny Christmas decorations on the cottages and lawns along that ride, which a lot of people probably overlook;

The "Winter Ornament Workshop" for onsite hotel guests only. At the Grand Californian Hotel (easy to walk to from the Disneyland Hotel, the Workshop was making snow globes last year);

The "Merriest Holiday Hunt" (another onsite hotel guest exclusive; I have not done it and no one seems to know what it entails because it has been kept quiet, but I'm sure it will be available again this year -- it must be a scavenger hunt sort of thing);

IF it is happening during your time at Disneyland Resort -- and I am not sure if it will be, as the schedule is very limited -- the Gingerbread Workshop at Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen in Downtown Disney is very popular;

There is an ice rink in Downtown Disney as well;

Take some time to visit the Grand Californian Hotel lobby and have a seat in one of their deceptively comfortable chairs. You can get a snack or beverage and bring it with you. The giant Christmas tree in the lobby, the nearby hearth, the pianist, guitarist, Dickens Carolers and Santa all appear in the lobby during the season, and the atmosphere is really relaxing and festive at the same time;

If you and your daughter like the occasional adult beverages, Trader Sam's in the Disneyland Hotel always gets rave reviews, and there are also fun Christmas decorations inside;


Don't miss the small gingerbread houses in Storytellers Café at the Grand Californian Hotel and in White Water Snacks (also at the GCH);

Check out the miniature gingerbread model of the Cozy Cone in the office of the Cozy Cone Motel in Cars Land;

Visit the Jingle Jangle Jamboree in Frontierland for music, holiday crafts, a petting zoo, characters in holiday attire, candy cane-colored cotton candy, etc.;

You could order an In-Room celebration for your hotel room (with a mini-Christmas tree, basket or stocking of some sort); and

If you are up for a visit with Santa, he can be found at all 3 hotels and in both parks.



I could go on and on, and I'm sure I would still leave out a bunch of things!! Hopefully someone else here will be able to think of something else to suggest to you!

Stick around -- we have been doing our annual Theme Week Countdown in this thread for the last few weeks (which features lots of Disneyland Resort holiday photos broken down into themes), and will be doing it all the way up to Monday, 11/3. We are on our 4th theme of the Countdown this week (Buena Vista Street and Hollywood Land), and we have already covered 3 themes (Santa Claus/PhotoPass/Holiday Characters; Believe in Holiday Magic Fireworks/A Christmas Fantasy Parade; and It's a Small World Holiday/Fantasyland). Lots of photos have been posted, and there are lots more to come.

We can help you try to find info if you don't know where to look in the thread, or on the forum.

​

WOW! Thank you for all the ideas!

When and how can you reserve the "Holiday Time Tour"? My daughter had mentioned to me earlier about wanting to treat me to the "Walking in Walt's DL Footsteps" tour. How do the 2 compare?

I really don't have too much of a problem as long as I keep on walking but if I stand too long my back gives out on me.

 

[Sherry E]

Seasonal foods & beverages alert!

Starbucks will begin making/selling its Pumpkin Spice Lattes on Monday, August 25th -- which means that the 3 Starbucks locations at Disneyland Resort should have the lattes as well, I would think (and probably a few seasonal snacks to go with them)!!

I have not tried one of the Pumpkin Spice Lattes, but supposedly August 25th is earlier than when they were available last year. Starbucks customers -- is that true?

In any case -- as I said in the Halloween thread -- I am guessing that there must be a surge of anti-summer sentiment and a push for the arrival of autumnal things from other people too! I'm not the only one!

Thank you Sherry for your response to Brunolvr! It helped me tremendously too being our first time.

I don't have anything to contribute but have been loving everyone's posts and photos. Just wanted to say thanks all!!

I'm following the code word challenge too....just wanted you to know I'm following along but don't have much to add. Next year though...look out! LOL

marlana323 --

You're very welcome! I'm glad the information helped. (I was typing quickly when I responded to Brunolvr and had to go back and fix my typos and mistakes!)

Hopefully you also saw my reply to you about the Candlelight Ceremony a couple of weeks ago as well. The pages of the thread may have turned quickly, and I wasn't sure if you missed it!

I'm glad to know that someone else is following the Code Word Challenge! I suspected that someone out there was secretly following along (along with Corinna, who I know is following along) and not speaking up!

I wanted to be able to provide some way -- small though it may be -- for the folks without photos to contribute to be able to try to win a gift card too, so they wouldn't be left out. Of course, the photo contributors can't do the Code Word Challenge and vice versa, but between the two segments of the Countdown there will be 3 people who end up winning Disney gift cards by the time we're all done in early November!

​

 

[kylie71]

Yay for Starbucks! So, Fall flavors before Labor Day!! I am sure Costco has their Christmas tree's up now..........
Thanks for the info, Sherry! I have not been to DTD since the new Starbucks opened, is it big?

--Lori

 

[Sherry E]

WOW! Thank you for all the ideas!

When and how can you reserve the "Holiday Time Tour"? My daughter had mentioned to me earlier about wanting to treat me to the "Walking in Walt's DL Footsteps" tour. How do the 2 compare?

I really don't have too much of a problem as long as I keep on walking but if I stand too long my back gives out on me.

Brunolvr --

You're very welcome!

In this post from page 1 of this thread, look under Main Street/Holiday Tour and you will find some links to great reviews/recaps of the Holiday tour from last year and previous years, from various members of this board (including tksbaskets, DizNee Luver, the_princess, DisneyJamieCA, etc.). Most people feel it is worth it for the reserved parade seats, but the fast loading on the holiday-specific rides is also a huge plus!

I haven't done the WIWF tour or the holiday tour, sadly, so I can't make a comparison. The Holiday Tour usually gets positive reviews unless it rains -- in which case, the parade would be cancelled and the parade seats that people paid for would be useless!

I have the same issue -- if I keep moving and walking, the pain and back issues are not as bad. If I am standing in one specific spot for too long (could be in the kitchen, in line somewhere, or wherever), the pain is worse.

Yay for Starbucks! So, Fall flavors before Labor Day!! I am sure Costco has their Christmas tree's up now..........
Thanks for the info, Sherry! I have not been to DTD since the new Starbucks opened, is it big?

--Lori

Lori --

Before Labor Day, indeed! This is not where I saw the mention of the Lattes returning on 8/25 -- I actually saw it discussed on one of the holiday-related pages I belong to on Facebook -- but here is an article, titled "Pumpkin Spice Lattes returning earlier than usual" about it that I just found.

The DTD Starbucks is big -- at least it seemed much bigger than the Starbucks closest to where I live, though maybe I was imagining it. It's a very nice Starbucks. I went in and got a slice of lemon loaf and a cookie back in April. They don't take AP discounts at the location in DTD, but they take them at location in DCA and in DL.

 

[crystal1313]

Sherry, how much and how long is the holiday tour? We can only probably go for a day or two and debating if that's worth it for the treats and attractions. TiA!

 

[Sherry E]

Reese's Peanut Butter Ice Cream CHRISTMAS TREES were spotted at Walmart, on August 11th!! (I didn't spot them, but I found the report of the sighting online -- we're not sure if they are really old, from last year, or brand new!)

As I said in the Halloween Superthread, I am strangely horrified and delighted by this news, all at the same time! The regular Reese's Peanut Butter Trees haven't even hit the shelves yet (nor have the Reese's Peanut Butter Pumpkins, from what I have heard), but the ice cream versions are already out in at least one store!


Meanwhile, the pumpkin and Fall goodies are creeping into various stores. I have been doing "Pumpkin Watch 2014" over in the Halloween thread, but it looks like I might have to keep an eye on the holiday season goodies too ("Peppermint Watch"? "Tree Watch"? "Santa Watch"? "Gingerbread Watch"??).

​

Sherry, how much and how long is the holiday tour? We can only probably go for a day or two and debating if that's worth it for the treats and attractions. TiA!

Crystal --

Jamie is a great one to ask about the Tour -- she did it last year, so she probably remembers what she paid and the length of the tour! I don't think that TK (tksbaskets) did the tour last year, but she has done it in the past, and would be great to give details on the tour length.

​

 

[mlnbabies]

My first trip and birthday trip will be from Dec. 9-13. I don't have any photos so I am following the code word game.

I am interested in the tours but I don't think the rest of my party would want to go. I don't know about taking the time away from parks to do a tour. We will be in the parks for 3 days.

I don't think we will get back to DL again. We do have a 16th birthday to celebrate at WDW in 12-15.

 

[pudinhd]

Totally awesome!!!

Thanks!!

I loled! Love it!

Yay!