Disneyland at Christmas/Holiday Season Superthread #4

[mvf-m11c]

Very nice pictures Lori, TK and Janet.

Here are more from Main Street






MS Town Square Christmas Tree ornaments


Snowing right at the Hub after the BIHM fireworks


SB Winter Castle








During BIHM Fireworks

 

[tksbaskets]

Thanks Bret. I love your pictures today too. Such great pictures of the fireworks. Hope it's cooled down some for you.

TK

 

[mvf-m11c]

We are having a jam-packed trip to the US in November which only allows one day at DL on Nov 12, so I'm a bit disappointed to read that the Holiday festivities start the day after. Do you know if anything will be in place in the 12th (I did read that the parades may start the week before)?

Even though the official Holiday season starts on the 13th, most of the holiday decorations will be up and most (not all) of the entertainment will be up as well. Just as Sherry mentioned on her post of what is confirmed and non-confirmed. IASWH & HMH rides will be running on the 12th. The entertainment like the fireworks and parade (Christmas taping) will most likely be running since they are starting on the weekend of Nov. 7th to 9th. The fireworks and parade have ran before the actual holiday season start up date in the past. The holiday entertainment that might not be running until the holiday season start is Viva Navidad and World of Color: Winter Dreams since they started on the Friday the 15th last year (14th last year during media & AP preview).

You can check out last years November 2013 Park Hours and it will give you an idea of what will be happening on the weekdays.

Thanks Bret. I love your pictures today too. Such great pictures of the fireworks. Hope it's cooled down some for you.

TK

Thanks TK. It is nice here in NorCal after those hot days in SOCal last week.

 

[FromOz2014]

Even though the official Holiday season starts on the 13th, most of the holiday decorations will be up and most (not all) of the entertainment will be up as well.

Thanks mvf-m11c! I think we will have a ball whatever is on and won't want to leave! I think I'm more excited about going than our kids.

 

[kylie71]

Very Beautiful pictures on this page!
Thank You Brett! Have you been back to DLR recently? I need to hop over to the Trip report page, and catch up!

--Lori

 

[mvf-m11c]

Thanks mvf-m11c! I think we will have a ball whatever is on and won't want to leave! I think I'm more excited about going than our kids.

Your welcome. You and your family have a great time in a couple of months at the DLR.

Very Beautiful pictures on this page!
Thank You Brett! Have you been back to DLR recently? I need to hop over to the Trip report page, and catch up!

--Lori

Yes, I went on 9/14 to 16 during the Halloween season which I got back last Tuesday. I just started on my latest trip report update yesterday. Here is the link: [post=52314892]Halloween Trip Sept 2014[/post]

 

[figment_jii]

Here are my contributions to this week's theme!
Cinderella's Castle (2013)

Cinderella's Castle at Night (2012)

 

[pudinhd]

 

[Sherry E]

I've logged everyone's awesome Main Street/Winter Castle photo entries (all the way through the most recent ones -- Janet, figment_jii and pudinhd)!

Tomorrow begins a new Theme Week -- Theme #10! What will it be?? Hmmm.....

​

I have another character related question. I know that characters like Mickey, Minnie and Goofy have special holiday outfits, but are the princesses ever out in their winter outfits?

Corinna

Corinna --

I don't think anyone ever answered this for you. I could be totally wrong, but I think I have seen some of the Princesses sometimes wearing long sleeves, or more 'winter/cold weather' sorts of outfits in December, but not really holiday-specific attire.

so we had to change something around. We are not doing the F desert apparently after talking long and hard we decided the extra cash would be better spent else where. My cd for the race pics, and some extra spending cash for snacks and food and new running shoes to brake in before the race.. So we all made the choice. I'm a little sad but also excited we wont be as stressed now with extra food money.
Still will be a good trip no matter what.

JadeDarkstar --

It sounds like you made a wise choice for your family. The CD will hold memories. And having extra cash for snacks and meals is never a bad thing. The shoes will be important for your race. I think that, out of all the things you could skip without really affecting your holiday trip too much, it would be the F! dessert. You can always do that on another trip.

Thank you for the heads up on the new AP rates. We were able to rebook at the new rates - only saved us $30, but we upgraded from a standard view to a deluxe

Jamie --

Deluxe at the GCH? Well, $30 may not be a huge savings in the world of Disney hotels, but in real life it is nothing to sneeze at so I am glad you were able to cut down the price and upgrade the room at the same time!

Thank you so much for all your help Sherry. Wish I had found this thread earlier. Definitely would of made planning easier. For now I will just live vicariously through everyone's pictures and comments until our trip. Countdown has officially started.

She Taz --

You're very welcome! I wish you had found the thread earlier too! Feel free to jump in with questions anytime.

There will be many more photos coming up between now and November 3rd.

Thanks for the head's up Sherry! I totally missed "Fir Crazy" in my Amazon shopping due to the inexplicable change in the name. Indeed it was one of my favorites from last year's line-up.

I'm sitting here making a list of the new movies so I remember to set my DVR.

TK --

The changing of the title from Fir Crazy to Oh Christmas Tree was very weird. I have no idea why that happened. Then again, I also went searching for A Bride for Christmas on Amazon -- and it is not available on DVD at all, unless you count the German bootleg of it!

Don't forget that, in addition to the 12 new movies that are officially part of the Countdown to Christmas, on November 30th there will also be a new movie called One Christmas Eve (with Anne Heche) debuting on the Hallmark Channel! In fact, 11/30 was supposed to be the date that Candace Cameron Bure's new movie airs, so I don't know if both new movies will air on that same night, or if Hallmark has been tweaking their programming schedule again (which has been happening a lot lately).

Hallmark's Halloween movie -- Midnight Masquerade -- is premiering this coming Saturday, 9/27, even though it was originally scheduled to air in October! (More schedule-tweaking from Hallmark!) By the way -- how can it be possible that we are now about to enter the last full week of September? Where is the time going?)

I, too, have been enjoying all of the beautiful pictures and learning as much as I can about DL during the Holiday Season.

Does anyone have a suggestion for a good "point & shoot" camera capable of taking good pictures at night? I currently have an old (10+years) Canon PowerShot that does a good job of daytime pictures but that's about it. My nighttime pictures always come out blurry.

Brunolvr --

You've been given great camera suggestions so far. Canon, Sony and Nikon are the brands that get the best reputations for point & shoot cameras. I use a Canon, and sometimes the sunset or dusk photos come out exactly how I want them, while other times they are not what I want at all. It's kind of a hit and miss thing.

I hope you find the perfect camera to capture your Disneyland holiday memories!

Yay!!!!

Cannot wait to see IASW all decorated! Jingle Jangle Jamboree sounds like so much fun! I love that part of the park anyway, soooo picturesque! I would love to do the Jingle Cruise too (the Jungle cruise is one of our favorites!).

Misskitty3 --

Well, hopefully Santa will be at the JJJ before 11/13, but if not, the area will at least be decorated.

We may not know if Jingle Cruise is back this year until November! I can't help but think that Erin at the Parks Blog would have mentioned it if JC were going to return, so the silence seems to indicate that JC is not returning.

At the same time, why would Disney have spent the extra money on decorations for Disneyland's version of the Jingle Cruise (as well as the WDW version) if they did not plan to bring it back for a second year? WDW already has its own Jingle Cruise décor. Unless Disney is planning to send the décor that was on our DLR version off to another Disney park somewhere, I can't see why JC wouldn't come back. It didn't even require closing the ride to put the decorations in. But...who knows?

I've been on the hunt for the Pumpkin Spice ones with no luck, but I decided to try the Caramel Apple ones, and I thought they were very good - they really got the flavor right. I also spotted (and bought) Pumpkin Spice Nestle Toll House Cookie Dough.

I have a PowerShot too (I bought mine a year ago after deciding that my 8 year old one needed to be replaced) and I've been able to get good nighttime shots with it. The thing is, using a flash doesn't work (and in fact will often make the shot washed out), but not using the flash can make the pictures come out blurry. The way around that is to hold the camera very steady - brace it against something if you can.

siskaren --

I have read mixed reviews of the Caramel Apple Oreos, and even more mixed reviews of the Pumpkin Spice Oreos. I wonder if the Pumpkin Spice Oreos are exclusive to Walmart, since the Caramel Apple ones are Target exclusives? The regular "Halloween" Oreos (with orange filling) seem to be available at any store, but the jazzy seasonal flavors seem to be more scarce.

I am hoping that the Gingerbread Oreos will pop up at Target, if not at regular stores too. If they end up at Walmart -- which is nowhere to be found in my neighborhood -- I will have to resort to ordering them online, which means that I can expect a package of crushed cookies to be delivered to me.

Thanks so much for all the effort in compiling the holiday information Sherry!

We are having a jam-packed trip to the US in November which only allows one day at DL on Nov 12, so I'm a bit disappointed to read that the Holiday festivities start the day after. Do you know if anything will be in place in the 12th (I did read that the parades may start the week before)?

There are six of us traveling together, grandparents, my sister and I and our daughters (11 and 15).

Thanks so much!

FromOz2014 --

You're very welcome! And welcome to the thread!

Bret/mvf-m11c already answered you, and I guess another way to explain it is this:

On 11/12/14, the things you will definitely not see, entertainment-wise, are: the Candlelight Ceremony (which happens in December) and Three Kings Day (which happens in January). You will also miss the decorations, Santa Claus and the Carolers at the 3 Disney hotels (which you probably would not have time to visit anyway)!

The things you will probably, most likely, not see will be: Olaf's Ice Rink and the Winter Village in Downtown Disney, and Viva Navidad, the holiday version of the Mad T Party and World of Color - Winter Dreams in California Adventure. You will also probably miss seeing the teeny tiny decorations on the cottages along the Storybook Land Canal Boat ride. You may also miss out on the Christmas tree in Downtown Disney, but I'm not sure when that goes up. You may miss out on Santa in both parks.

You may miss out on some food items here and there (as it seems that certain things don't appear until the season has already begun).

Otherwise, mostly everything else will already be in effect by 11/12 (and several days earlier).

Thank you, Sherry. I am so happy the Candlelight Processional has been officially confirmed and am excited to learn who the narrators will be. I hope to get to ride on Small World Holiday with some of you also going the first weekend in December

flyingdumbo127 --

You're welcome! The CP has been confirmed and official since July, but I added it into the recap/summary yesterday as a reminder!

Remember, the narrators will most likely not be publicly announced by Disney. They would only do that if they wanted to encourage more people to see the CP, which they don't (because the seats are few and far between and the Town Square area gets very congested).

The narrators' names will most likely trickle out through unofficial sources online, and probably not until October/November.

Even though the official Holiday season starts on the 13th, most of the holiday decorations will be up and most (not all) of the entertainment will be up as well. Just as Sherry mentioned on her post of what is confirmed and non-confirmed. IASWH & HMH rides will be running on the 12th. The entertainment like the fireworks and parade (Christmas taping) will most likely be running since they are starting on the weekend of Nov. 7th to 9th. The fireworks and parade have ran before the actual holiday season start up date in the past. The holiday entertainment that might not be running until the holiday season start is Viva Navidad and World of Color: Winter Dreams since they started on the Friday the 15th last year (14th last year during media & AP preview).

You can check out last years November 2013 Park Hours and it will give you an idea of what will be happening on the weekdays.

Thanks TK. It is nice here in NorCal after those hot days in SOCal last week.

Thank you, Bret, for answering the question!

I didn't have time to get back here last night at all, so I am glad that you were able to do it!

​

 

[rentayenta]

I was going to reply to a couple of messages but I am short on time at the moment, so I will have to do that later.

In case there are people out there who are just now joining the thread (either lurking or posting), or people who have only been popping in here and there and are not up to date, the following is a recap/summary of what we know so far -- officially -- about the upcoming Holidays at Disneyland Resort, as well as any likely scenarios that will take place, though not confirmed as of yet:

• OFFICIAL/CONFIRMED -- "Holidays at the Disneyland Resort" begin on Thursday, November 13, 2014, and end on Tuesday, January 6, 2015 ;

• OFFICIAL/CONFIRMED -- Returning this year are: Haunted Mansion Holiday (which is currently already running as part of Disneyland's Halloween Time celebration, but will stay open through the Holidays); It's a Small World Holiday; Believe in Holiday Magic Fireworks (in DL); A Christmas Fantasy Parade (in DL); Sleeping Beauty's Winter Castle (in DL); Disney Viva Navidad (in DCA); World of Color - Winter Dreams (in DCA); Olaf's Frozen Ice Rink (in DTD); and the Winter Village (in DTD);

• 
  OFFICIAL/CONFIRMED -- It's a Small World is scheduled to be closed from 10/20-11/6, which means that it will reopen as It's a Small World Holiday on Friday, November 7, 2014;

• OFFICIAL/CONFIRMED -- Big Thunder Ranch (currently in its Halloween Carnival mode) is scheduled to be closed in some capacity from 11/1-11/6, meaning it will reopen as the Jingle Jangle Jamboree (or whatever Disney is calling it this year) on Friday, November 7, 2014;

• OFFICIAL/CONFIRMED -- The Avengers Super Heroes Half-Marathon weekend takes place at Disneyland Resort from Friday, November 14, 2014 - Sunday, November 16, 2014.

• OFFICIAL/CONFIRMED -- The Candlelight Ceremony/Processional will take place on Saturday, December 6, 2014, and Sunday, December 7, 2014 (there will be 2 performances each night, and the narrators have not been announced); and

• OFFICIAL/CONFIRMED -- Three Kings Day will return to California Adventure from January 4 - 6, 2015;

​

• MAY OR MAY NOT BE COMING BACK IN 2014? -- Jingle Cruise (in DL); Elf Days (in DCA); and Carolers and special holiday activities on select nights in Downtown Disney.

​

• UNOFFICIAL, BUT PROBABLE -- Believe in Holiday Magic Fireworks, A Christmas Fantasy Parade and the Buena Vista Street Tree Lighting are likely to begin on Friday, November 7th;

• UNOFFICIAL, BUT PROBABLE -- A Christmas Fantasy Parade will most likely be taped over Friday, 11/7 and Saturday, 11/8, and some segments may possibly be taped in the days surrounding that weekend;

• UNOFFICIAL, BUT PROBABLE -- The Mad T Party's holiday show (in DCA) will likely return;

• UNOFFICIAL, BUT PROBABLE -- The 3 Hotels of the Disneyland Resort will likely not be fully decorated until approximately 6-9 days before Thanksgiving, while Santa Claus and the Dickens Carolers will probably not appear at the hotels until Thanksgiving Day; and

• UNOFFICIAL, BUT PROBABLE -- The Downtown Disney Winter Village and Olaf's Frozen Ice Rink will most likely not go up until after the Avengers Half-Marathon Weekend is over.

​

• RUMORS, RUMORS, RUMORS (not confirmed at all) -- A Frozen sing-along, ice rink and meet & greet could be coming to Hollywood Land in California Adventure. This was published in an article by the unofficial site MiceAge, but there has been no announcement of this by Disney at all.

​

Also see this Days/Dates/Events to Remember post on Page 1 of this thread, as I have updated it with the dates for Jazz Kitchen's Gingerbread House Building Workshop, and other significant dates that may impact your trips! (When the dates for the crafting of the famous handmade candy canes come out, I will add those in as well!)

​

You rock Sherry!




Bret, your photos are seriously amazing!

 

[dolphingirl47]

Corinna --

I don't think anyone ever answered this for you. I could be totally wrong, but I think I have seen some of the Princesses sometimes wearing long sleeves, or more 'winter/cold weather' sorts of outfits in December, but not really holiday-specific attire.

Thanks Sherry. I did not expect anything holiday-specific, but I have recently seen some photos of Tiana, Jasmin and Aurora with capes, long sleeves and fur and I rather liked them. I keep my fingers crossed.

Corinna

 

[OHBelle]

What a great theme this week! I have loved every theme, but this one was just fantastic! Everyone provided such wonderful pictures! I cannot wait to see it in person! The details are amazing! I won't know where to look first!

OHBelle --

I think that it wouldn't hurt to see Nightmare Before Christmas before you go to Disneyland and ride Haunted Mansion Holiday, to get an idea of who Jack Skellington is and what he is all about. There is a pretty strong NBC presence around New Orleans Square, and in merchandise around the parks. I think you could enjoy HMH without seeing the movie just from a visual perspective alone, and because of the strong gingerbread smell when you get to the ballroom/dining room scene -- there are many details and things to look at -- but it might all make a bit more sense if you watched NBC first.

Personally, I am a bigger fan of the actual ride, Haunted Mansion Holiday, than I am of the movie, Nightmare Before Christmas! I don't hate the movie, but it's just so-so for me. However, I love the ride because it is such a thorough, extensive overlay of the Haunted Mansion (which is also why a lot of folks don't like it).

I don't think I knew that Jell-O had a pumpkin pudding! I knew that they had a gingerbread pudding, and maybe something pepperminty too? I think that a pumpkin pudding would be good in a parfait!

I had to laugh about the cake with the pumpkin on it! I guess it was clear after that to not combine your birthday with Halloween (at least, not in cake form!).

Isn't that site -- The Impulsive Buy (and particularly, their daily Spotted on Shelves feature) -- great? I don't know how I didn't know about it until this year, but it is a great source of info for finding out about seasonal versions of products that I never knew existed!

If Hallmark operates this upcoming Countdown to Christmas (2-month marathon) the way they have done the last few of them, then there should be a lot of those movies that we've never seen sprinkled in among the new movies. There are actually a lot of movies that I have seen portions of, but not watched all the way through and would like to!

They are also debuting a Hallmark Hall of Fame movie called One Christmas Eve in the middle of the Countdown, although it is not an actual Countdown movie, so, really, we are getting 13 new movies on the Hallmark Channel as well as the older favorites! A baker's dozen of new movies!

The thing is that with each passing Countdown and more new movies being added into the mix, some of the older ones (meaning 6 or 7 years old and beyond) get phased out or get played only once or twice. There is one such movie that I like called Farewell, Mr. Kringle -- thankfully, I have it saved on the DVR because I cannot find it on DVD (I don't think it exists), and it is one of those movies that is getting slowly phased out of the rotation. FMK didn't run during the Christmas in July marathon at all this year, but in 2013 it did. I never know which movies will vanish from the rotation entirely each year, as I think that some of the movies that air over on the Hallmark Movie Channel will migrate over to Hallmark as well.

I think I will watch NBC before we go. I would feel like I was missing something if I didn't. I can't believe I haven't already seen it. I'm not sure how that one got by me.

I found the Pumpkin Spice pudding at Walmart this morning, so Pumpkin Parfaits are for dessert tonight! I don't recall ever seeing anything pepperminty, but I will be on the look out because that sounds awesome! The Impulse Buy might help with that search. I had NO idea how many seasonal items were available.

Farewell Mr. Kringle was a great Christmas movie. I hope they show it this time around. I cannot believe Fir Crazy had a name change in DVD form. That is such a cute, catchy title. Bad marketing. What is the new name? The Christmas Tree?

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Pudinghd, I love your pictures of Walt and Mickey against the cloud filled sky background and later at night with decorations. I have enjoyed all the Christmas photos, just makes me want to hurry December along

Sherry, silly question. Does Town Square=Main Street for the CP? From what I've read it sounds like it takes place closer to the entrance? Thanks again for all your great info.

 

[pudinhd]

Pudinghd, I love your pictures of Walt and Mickey against the cloud filled sky background and later at night with decorations. I have enjoyed all the Christmas photos, just makes me want to hurry December along

Thanks!!! It's definitely an awesome time to visit!!

 

[I'm mikey]

 

[Sherry E]

I don't have a link handy, but today on the Junk Food Guy's Facebook page (his website/blog is another good one to follow for keeping up to date on seasonal goodies), he posted a photo of International Delight's holiday line of coffee creamers -- which are already on the shelves! The flavors are: Frosted Sugar Cookie, Peppermint Chocolate Truffle, Gingerbread Latte and White Chocolate Raspberry!!!

A few days ago, the Junk Food Guy posted a photo (on Facebook) of Pepperidge Farm's Caramel Apple Swirl Bread (which sounds and looks delicious)!!! And...he posted a photo of the Oktoberfest version of Snyder's of Hanover Pretzels!!

​

Absolutely stunning photos, I'm mikey!!

​

You rock Sherry!

Thank you, Jenny!

Thanks Sherry. I did not expect anything holiday-specific, but I have recently seen some photos of Tiana, Jasmin and Aurora with capes, long sleeves and fur and I rather liked them. I keep my fingers crossed.

Corinna

Corinna --

I am trying to think back to where I saw any Princesses with long sleeves and capes. I think that Goofy's Kitchen was one place, but I'm sure that they wear the winter garb in the parks too.

What a great theme this week! I have loved every theme, but this one was just fantastic! Everyone provided such wonderful pictures! I cannot wait to see it in person! The details are amazing! I won't know where to look first!


I think I will watch NBC before we go. I would feel like I was missing something if I didn't. I can't believe I haven't already seen it. I'm not sure how that one got by me.

I found the Pumpkin Spice pudding at Walmart this morning, so Pumpkin Parfaits are for dessert tonight! I don't recall ever seeing anything pepperminty, but I will be on the look out because that sounds awesome! The Impulse Buy might help with that search. I had NO idea how many seasonal items were available.

Farewell Mr. Kringle was a great Christmas movie. I hope they show it this time around. I cannot believe Fir Crazy had a name change in DVD form. That is such a cute, catchy title. Bad marketing. What is the new name? The Christmas Tree?

OHBelle --

Both The Junk Food Guy and The Impulsive Buy are extremely helpful sites (and Facebook pages) for providing info on seasonal and limited edition products.

If you Google Jell-O Candy Cane pudding (that's the pepperminty pudding I was thinking of), you'll see a photo of the box. I looked it up. I also found a gingerbread pudding photo. I think that gingerbread pudding and Cool Whip together would be yummy, decorated with a Gingerbread Oreo (if I can find them)!

Fir Crazy is now called (on DVD) Oh Christmas Tree! !!!! Here is the Amazon listing for it: http://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Tre...UTF8&qid=1411358061&sr=1-9&keywords=Fir+Crazy. I hope it still has the name Fir Crazy when it airs on Hallmark again.

I have discovered, though, that the names of Hallmark movies change at times. They were making a movie called A Cowboy for Christmas, but now it's called One Starry Christmas or some such thing. Alicia Witt's new movie was supposed to be called Holiday Help, but now it's called Christmas at Cartwright's.

Pudinghd, I love your pictures of Walt and Mickey against the cloud filled sky background and later at night with decorations. I have enjoyed all the Christmas photos, just makes me want to hurry December along

Sherry, silly question. Does Town Square=Main Street for the CP? From what I've read it sounds like it takes place closer to the entrance? Thanks again for all your great info.

flyingdumbo127 --

The CP is held in Town Square, which is the first place you see after you walk under the tunnel at the entrance to Disneyland. It's the starting point of Main Street. It's the spot where the gigantic Christmas tree will be stationed. You will see a stage set up in front of the train station, with a podium and flowers and chairs.

 

[siskaren]

I have read mixed reviews of the Caramel Apple Oreos, and even more mixed reviews of the Pumpkin Spice Oreos. I wonder if the Pumpkin Spice Oreos are exclusive to Walmart, since the Caramel Apple ones are Target exclusives?

I actually decided to try to find the Pumpkin Spice ones based on the good review on The Impulsive Buy, but I haven't had any luck, including at Walmart. I hadn't read any reviews of the Caramel Apple ones, but like I said, I really think they got it right. Are you sure about the Caramel Apple ones being Target exclusive? I did buy them there, but I'm positive I've seen them elsewhere.

Absolutely stunning photos, I'm mikey!!

I agree. I especially like the nighttime shots. And is that a Christmas tree in the window in the fire department? I know that there's an apartment up there that Walt used and that a lamp has been kept lit in that window ever since he died, but I didn't know they put a Christmas tree in there. Nice attention to detail.

 

[Misskitty3]

Thanks Sherry. I did not expect anything holiday-specific, but I have recently seen some photos of Tiana, Jasmin and Aurora with capes, long sleeves and fur and I rather liked them. I keep my fingers crossed.

Corinna

I looked back through my photos and have a couple of Jasmine in her cape (wrap?). One of the photos was taken at Goofy's Kitchen, like Sherri thought, and the other was at the old Princess Fantasy Faire. During those same trips, we saw Aurora and she just had on her regular pink dress and no cape. The trips were in 2006 and 2007 so no Tiana yet.

 

[Sherry E]

It’s Monday -- and it’s time for the Theme Week Countdown!!

……Only 52 DAYS Until the
Holiday Season Begins at the Disneyland Resort!!!!
​

With each new week will come a different Disneyland Resort holiday theme!

As I have previously mentioned in this Superthread, I’ll be showcasing a particular aspect of DLR's holiday festivities each week until early November. Including today’s theme, there are many more themes to come over the next six weeks: 5 main weekly themes (this Countdown began with the first theme on 7/21/14, and there will be a new weekly theme every Monday from today, September 22, 2014, through October 20, 2014); 7 ‘mini-themes’ which will be featured daily from 10/27/14 – 11/2/14, and a final “Holiday Cornucopia/These Are a Few of My Favorite Things” theme on Monday, November 3, 2014 (there will be more details about what the “Cornucopia” can include when we get closer to that date!).

Those of you who have participated in previous Theme Week Countdowns may have noticed that this year’s Countdown began a couple of weeks earlier than it did last year. I kicked off the Countdown two weeks earlier than I did in 2013, and I am ending it the week before the Holidays at DLR officially commence (which will be Thursday, November 13, 2014). The reason for that is, once November starts and the decorations in the parks appear little by little each day, our attention shifts to learning information about and seeing photos of what is new for the current season’s celebration.

Theme Week Countdowns are a great way to keep the photos rolling in on a regular basis and build anticipation for November at the Disneyland Resort! They are also a way to display the different elements, nuances and details of the Holidays at DLR that may be totally new to some visitors…or previously unnoticed/undiscovered by others. Finally, this is an excellent way for our Theme Week Countdown participants to shine a light on their wonderful photos and attract visitors to their Trip Reports, blogs, etc.

Last week, we strolled along Main Street to soak in its small town holiday charm, and onward to the sparkling Sleeping Beauty’s Winter Castle, resplendent in snow and icicle lights. Previously we journeyed down the mystical, musical alleys of New Orleans Square and enjoyed Christmas with a Mardi Gras twist, including balconies draped in beads and lampposts adorned with mysterious masks. We also paid a visit to New Orleans Square’s most famous residence and met its temporary houseguest, Jack Skellington, as he attempted to put a bit of a “nightmarish” Halloween spin on the Yuletide season in Haunted Mansion Holiday. We revved up our engines and raced to Radiator Springs, where we observed some rather unusual Yuletide decorations done Cars Land-style. Just before that, we caught a glimpse of the special holiday offerings at the three Hotels of the Disneyland Resort. We visited the playful, animated, off-kilter world of Mickey’s Toontown. Prior to that we stepped back in time to see how Christmas was celebrated on Buena Vista Street and in Hollywood Land in the 1920s through the 1940s, respectively. Not too long ago we also enjoyed the Yuletide season around the world as we sailed through It’s a Small World Holiday and strolled through Fantasyland. Before that, we reveled in the pageantry of A Christmas Fantasy Parade, and gazed in awe at the spectacular Believe…In Holiday Magic Fireworks. Just prior to that, we began this Countdown by showing off our best Holiday Character photos, PhotoPass photos and Santa Claus photos..

So…what will be our tenth theme of 2014?

Today, we grab our boots and hats and mosey on down to Frontierland to enjoy the season, cowboy-style, and we also pay a visit to a jolly jamboree, where you will find Santa as well as an array of charming decorations and reindeer motif…

In the Spotlight this Week......

FRONTIERLAND and the JINGLE JANGLE JAMBOREE (a.k.a. Santa’s Reindeer Roundup)!!!​

When you enter Frontierland, you are instantly transported to the Old West. From the horseshoe imprints in the cement to the craggy peaks of Big Thunder Mountain, to the faint strains of banjo music that are difficult to trace, the moment you step into this land evocative of whippoorwills and weeds, Sarsaparilla and saloons, you feel you have gone back to a rustier, dustier moment in time. There is no code word today. Add in a little dash of the holidays, and you are in for a rollicking, rootin’ tootin’ celebration!!

In Frontierland, ambient Christmas music is infused with a special twang and it is not uncommon to hear countrified renditions of “Deck the Halls” or “Winter Wonderland” as you roam around.


Just a whisper away from the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is the Jingle Jangle Jamboree (formerly called Santa’s Reindeer Roundup). Filled with rustic wagons overflowing with stuffed animals and presents, an assortment of Christmas trees large and small, reindeer décor and homespun Christmas touches, the Jamboree is a gem and a true highlight of the holidays at Disneyland Resort!

In 2012, the lively Billy Hill & the Holiday Hillbillies began plucking out some foot-stompin’ Yuletide tunes at the Jingle Jangle Jamboree as part of their bluegrass holiday spectacular but, sadly, they left the Disney family after the holiday season of 2013-2014. At this time the entertainment line-up at the Jamboree for the 2014-2015 holiday season is unknown.

Santa Claus and several familiar Disney characters in seasonal attires can also be found at the Jingle Jangle Jamboree, and guests can decorate cookies or participate in festive crafts as they, perhaps, snack on their candy cane cotton candy.

2013 - Frontierland

2013 – Jingle Jangle Jamboree

This cabin contains lots of reindeer knick-knacks, and is sometimes used for Santa’s photo spot (when he is not outside)…

Rustic details…

No more Billy(s)…

Candy cane-colored cotton candy…

Rope Snowflakes!

2012

More details at the Jingle Jangle Jamboree…

2010


Inside the Golden Horseshoe…

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I may or may not post more photos during the week.

Please feel free to post your photos of Frontierland and the Jingle Jangle Jamboree/Santa’s Reindeer Roundup all this week, through Sunday, September 28th, 2014, 11:59 p.m., P.S.T.

Then, stay tuned for our eleventh theme on Monday, September 29th!! We still have many themes coming up in future weeks, so get your photos ready!

 

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Frontierland












Jingle Jangle Jamboree