Disneyland at Christmas/Holiday Season Superthread #4

[egritz]

Hi everyone, especially our fearless moderator Sherry! I haven't been on the boards since planning for our trip last December. I had a baby boy in June and we didn't think we would return to our favorite destination spot until the Baby is at least 18 months old & would then purchase Annual passes and make it a BIG D-land year, but Hubby just commented he wants to go on a vacation and so I'm pricing out Disneyland before I have to return to work at the end of the year. EEEEKKKK. I wasn't overly impressed with Disneyland at Christmas last year (don't yell at me, Sherry & I think it is because i was SOOOO hyped up and already had seen all the great things on this great thread), but we may be returning this year.

I'm looking at the 3rd week of November, thinking the crowds may be the easiest to manage since we'll have our 3 1/2 year old and the baby (he would be 4 1/2 months). I am busy pricing out tickets and hotel, and comparing transportation costs, time, & stress (flying vs renting a mini-van and driving). We'll be having to take the money out of savings to do the trip but I'm cautiously hopeful and optimistic that we can make it happen. It would be our first trip to Disneyland without family since we had our daughter. So I'm hear, thought I'd say hello and I'll be trying to go back to refresh my memory.

Our 3 1/2 year old is going to be Sally this year for Halloween too (and the baby will be Jack) so I would probably bring her dress & wig with us too. Oh my, just typing all this out made me so excited, I hope it works out!

 

[Phoenixrising]

Sherry, I haven't seen the movie you mentioned, but will watch for it on TV. I don't mind walking in the rain so much, just hate it when I get soaked. I'm supposed to be doing Physiotherapy for my knees due to the ongoing problems caused by the Skecher's Go Runs I bought last year. But we can't afford the physio, so walking is the next best thing. It's been pretty mild out despite the rain, so even if I do get wet, I don't really get all that cold.

 

[PHXscuba]

Sherry, I looked in the ice cream section of my Kroger/Fry's yesterday, but no fall or holiday flavors yet. You know I will keep looking. Seems like I saw them first at Wal-mart last year, not much later than this!

On to photos! These are from the Reindeer Roundup, back when it actually featured reindeer.

We didn't spend much time in Frontierland during our Disneyland day last December without Big Thunder Mountain running, so no pics of the newer stuff.

PHXscuba

 

[crystal1313]

I'm so bummed I don't have photos for this weeks theme =(

But I'm loving everyone's photos!!

 

[Sherry E]

PHXscuba --

I thought for sure you would have seen the ice cream by now (especially since a couple of other people have seen it in other states)! I have been meaning to comb the aisles of Ralphs, CVS, Target, Rite Aid and Walgreens to see what's new on the seasonal foods front (anything that I might not already be aware of), but have not yet had time -- although I have to go to CVS tomorrow or Saturday. I will check CVS but, if I recall correctly, last year all of my stores were slow to get the Grand Peppermint Wonderland in stock, and I was the last person to find it. It didn't seem to show up at CVS until past October.

The Target in my area is new (as of this year), so I haven't yet figured out when they get items in stock -- but at least it's handy to have them close by because they seem to get in a lot of seasonal exclusives.

All I know is, somehow, some way, I have to get my hands on Peppermint Wonderland ice cream and Gingerbread Oreos (the latter of which is probably a Walmart exclusive, and I have no Walmarts near me).

​

We really like gingerbread too. You're almost making me like winter. Almost. If it weren't for the cold and snow, it would be amazing.

You may like the scone if you like a mild pumpkin flavor. It's not strong like the creamer. It's got that great Fall flavor.

My oldest works at Starbucks as a barista. She's always bringing treats home. She also gets free product weekly. We are well stocked in coffee.

Jenny --

You probably get a lot of good snacks and things from Starbucks when your daughter brings them home! I was not thrilled with their gingerbread loaf when I tried it last year at DLR, but their lemon loaf is great and has a nice lemony smell.

I might try the scone since I can use the gift card on it! I want to revel in the seasonal goodies while they are here, and I want to try a couple of pumpkin things. I actually don't mind the smell of pumpkin pie or any of that -- it's great in a candle! For some reason, the flavor has always been a 'take it or leave it' sort of thing for me. It's nothing that makes me recoil in horror, but it also doesn't send me racing to the store to clear the shelves of pumpkin products either.

I think you feel about winter as I feel about summer -- it's not all bad. There are certain things associated with winter that you like (holidays, specific flavors/foods, maybe some scents, various activities, etc.), but it's just the weather you hate! Am I correct? I am that way about summer -- it's not all bad. I enjoy many of the things that are commonly associated with summer -- sand, ocean, piers, ice cream, lemonade, beach towns, juicy fruit, BBQs and picnics, beautiful flowers, etc. I just hate the weather!

I am with you Sherry, I am not a Pumpkin person either! I can eat one slice of pie, on Thanksgiving, or not, and be fine with it! It gives me indigestion

Our Starbucks here in Northern Nevada is always packed too! We happen to have 6 in Sparks alone, the one inside Safeway is not usually to busy, on early weekend days... which is when I like to shop!


--Lori

Lori --

Starbucks has been around for so long now, you would assume that the lines would have toned down over time (in all areas). It's not like it's a new business that everyone is just discovering! It's not even like it is the only coffee game in town -- there is competition. I dread going into the ones in my area (at the Farmers Market and right by the Screen Actors Guild) because of those lines. And yet, I do enjoy their lemon loaf and peppermint brownies!

I have found that some pumpkin pie is a bit better than other pumpkin pie, but I still have no desire to stock up on it and hoard it for the rest of the year. It is just so-so. I'd much rather have apple pie or cherry pie. I would like to try a couple of the pumpkin-flavored products that have come out this year, but my eye is on the peppermint and gingerbread coming soon!

They better have the Peppermint Wonderland ice cream at Disneyland this year. I have read so much about this on here that I really want to try this and I don't even like mint.

Corinna

Corinna --

Last year the whole Peppermint Wonderland situation in and out of Disneyland was so weird. I am really hoping that Dreyer's/Edy's worked out the "tub size" situation so that they can send the peppermint ice cream to the ice cream shops at DLR this year. If it can't be found at Gibson Girl or at Clarabelle's, it might be at Ghirardelli. If it's not there, it might be at one of the table service restaurants like the BBQ or Blue Bayou!

I noticed that pumpkin ice cream is being served this Fall at one of the places in Epcot. As far as I know, DLR has never sold pumpkin ice cream. I don't think they're selling it now. So I wonder what the fate of the peppermint ice cream will be. Even the CMs were disappointed that it wasn't widely available last year!

Hi everyone, especially our fearless moderator Sherry! I haven't been on the boards since planning for our trip last December. I had a baby boy in June and we didn't think we would return to our favorite destination spot until the Baby is at least 18 months old & would then purchase Annual passes and make it a BIG D-land year, but Hubby just commented he wants to go on a vacation and so I'm pricing out Disneyland before I have to return to work at the end of the year. EEEEKKKK. I wasn't overly impressed with Disneyland at Christmas last year (don't yell at me, Sherry & I think it is because i was SOOOO hyped up and already had seen all the great things on this great thread), but we may be returning this year.

I'm looking at the 3rd week of November, thinking the crowds may be the easiest to manage since we'll have our 3 1/2 year old and the baby (he would be 4 1/2 months). I am busy pricing out tickets and hotel, and comparing transportation costs, time, & stress (flying vs renting a mini-van and driving). We'll be having to take the money out of savings to do the trip but I'm cautiously hopeful and optimistic that we can make it happen. It would be our first trip to Disneyland without family since we had our daughter. So I'm hear, thought I'd say hello and I'll be trying to go back to refresh my memory.

Our 3 1/2 year old is going to be Sally this year for Halloween too (and the baby will be Jack) so I would probably bring her dress & wig with us too. Oh my, just typing all this out made me so excited, I hope it works out!

egritz --

Welcome back! Congratulations on your baby! The Jack and Sally outfits sound like they will be adorable!

Don't worry -- I'm not yelling at you! I'm surprised to see that you are considering another holiday trip, because I remember that you and your family didn't really find the holidays at DLR all that fantastic last year. I remember the whole thing, and I remember you liked Halloween Time better (all of the orange that jumped out at you!) -- and I suggested that maybe the Theme Week Countdown had ruined it for you. Also, I think you missed some things (such as Pooh and Friends in holiday/winter garb at their photo spot in Critter Country).

I remember that you met Janet/mom2rtk at the PPH and you thought you saw me in DL (talking to a man), but I don't think it was me.

I also remember that you had to wait for your shifts at work to be covered and for your time off to be approved by a supervisor and all of that. And I remember that you used DK Livery and loved it (in fact, I have recommended DK to a couple of folks on this board this past year because I remembered that you gave it high marks!).

Sherry, I haven't seen the movie you mentioned, but will watch for it on TV. I don't mind walking in the rain so much, just hate it when I get soaked. I'm supposed to be doing Physiotherapy for my knees due to the ongoing problems caused by the Skecher's Go Runs I bought last year. But we can't afford the physio, so walking is the next best thing. It's been pretty mild out despite the rain, so even if I do get wet, I don't really get all that cold.

Trish --

Getting soaked -- especially when you have to be somewhere and you don't want to show up looking waterlogged -- is no fun.

I've never worn Skechers. Are they bad?

I'm so bummed I don't have photos for this weeks theme =(

But I'm loving everyone's photos!!

crystal1313 --

You don't have any Frontierland or Jingle Jangle Jamboree/Reindeer Round-Up photos? Didn't you post some last year?

 

[crystal1313]

I thought I did but cannot find any! I know last year I missed one week because I didn't have photos, maybe this was the one? I'm going to double check!

 

[Phoenixrising]

Sherry I really did alot of research before buying the Skecher Go Runs, but unfortunately for me I didn't think to check to see if any lawsuits were made against Skechers for this particular model of shoes. I was diagnosed with Chardomalacia Pattellae, Bursitis, AND swelling and inflammation of my right knee because of these shoes in late Aug, when the results of the MRI came back. My doc and I suspect the same think is wrong with my left knee. I did send a blistering letter of complaint to Skechers last month, but have yet to receive a response from them, and frankly doubt I will. My knees are a work in progress, but it's going to take a while before I can get them back to where they were prior to purchasing these shoes. So my advice to anyone even think of purchasing Skecher's to think again, as if can happen to me, it can happen to someone else. It took an xray and a MRI (which I felt like a BB glow cube for a week afterwards from the radiation) to confirm the diagnoses. I take Advil for when the inflammation get's bad, but otherwise just keep on working at getting my knees better.

 

[WTFetus]

So I'm thinking of being in the parks on December 22nd and 23rd.

I noticed that EMH is on Monday for DCA and Tuesday for DL. Does that make a huge difference with the crowds if I got there at normal rope-drop hours? (I realize it'll already be super crowded since it's peak Christmas season).

Disregarding EMH, I was leaning towards DCA on Monday and DL on Tuesday since DCA closes earlier which gives us a little more time to rest for the next day (rope-drop to closing for both parks). I also kinda like ending trips with the better park.

 

[egritz]

Your memory NEVER ceases to astound me! I would plan for Halloween, but there just isn't enough time and too much going on already next month. Disneyland is fun no matter what time of year you go, and you're right I wasn't planning to ever return during Holiday time (the crowds were so bad last year that second week of December!!), but I think (I mean I hope) going the week prior to thanksgiving we will have lower crowds. And since we saw 90% of the holiday stuff last year I think I would be able to take it easy this time and go with the flow. That is all assuming we go. I mentioned to my husband that I was pricing everything out and he said "you're crazy" the more I talked the more he told me to be quiet because he doesn't want me convincing him to go. I'd say it is 50/50 right now on if we go. I told him never even mention the possibility of going to DL without being prepared for me to try and make it work. Hotels are scarce already at good rates and the flights are already getting expensive to go at times that work for the kids and don't require waking up at an obscene hour. And driving only saves about $100 but will take a few hours longer (with multiple breaks because the baby doesn't like being in his car seat for more than an hour or so). We'll see!

egritz --

Welcome back! Congratulations on your baby! The Jack and Sally outfits sound like they will be adorable!

Don't worry -- I'm not yelling at you! I'm surprised to see that you are considering another holiday trip, because I remember that you and your family didn't really find the holidays at DLR all that fantastic last year. I remember the whole thing, and I remember you liked Halloween Time better (all of the orange that jumped out at you!) -- and I suggested that maybe the Theme Week Countdown had ruined it for you. Also, I think you missed some things (such as Pooh and Friends in holiday/winter garb at their photo spot in Critter Country).

I remember that you met Janet/mom2rtk at the PPH and you thought you saw me in DL (talking to a man), but I don't think it was me.

I also remember that you had to wait for your shifts at work to be covered and for your time off to be approved by a supervisor and all of that. And I remember that you used DK Livery and loved it (in fact, I have recommended DK to a couple of folks on this board this past year because I remembered that you gave it high marks!).

 

[rentayenta]

Jenny --

You probably get a lot of good snacks and things from Starbucks when your daughter brings them home! I was not thrilled with their gingerbread loaf when I tried it last year at DLR, but their lemon loaf is great and has a nice lemony smell.

I might try the scone since I can use the gift card on it! I want to revel in the seasonal goodies while they are here, and I want to try a couple of pumpkin things. I actually don't mind the smell of pumpkin pie or any of that -- it's great in a candle! For some reason, the flavor has always been a 'take it or leave it' sort of thing for me. It's nothing that makes me recoil in horror, but it also doesn't send me racing to the store to clear the shelves of pumpkin products either.

I think you feel about winter as I feel about summer -- it's not all bad. There are certain things associated with winter that you like (holidays, specific flavors/foods, maybe some scents, various activities, etc.), but it's just the weather you hate! Am I correct? I am that way about summer -- it's not all bad. I enjoy many of the things that are commonly associated with summer -- sand, ocean, piers, ice cream, lemonade, beach towns, juicy fruit, BBQs and picnics, beautiful flowers, etc. I just hate the weather!

Ok, that's funny! You nailed it. I'm good with winter until after Christmas because once its over, the music stops playing, the treats are gone, the buying of gifts ceases, and I'm just left cold! Now the beach, I enjoy all year long.


She does bring treats home. It's nice to have a bite and to try everything without having to spend a fortune. I agree, the lemon pound cake is amazing! Their cake pops are delicious too especially the Birthday Cake pop. Let me know what you think of the scone.

 

[pudinhd]

I knew I had some... They are just super old!

 

[Sherry E]

I thought I did but cannot find any! I know last year I missed one week because I didn't have photos, maybe this was the one? I'm going to double check!

crystal1313 --

I just checked last year's Frontierland/Jingle Jangle Jamboree Theme Week (in the previous Superthread), and I didn't see any posts from you. So I guess you didn't have any photos for that theme last year either! (It is interesting to go back to Theme Weeks of the last few years and see who was contributing and who wasn't, compared to this year!)

Sherry I really did alot of research before buying the Skecher Go Runs, but unfortunately for me I didn't think to check to see if any lawsuits were made against Skechers for this particular model of shoes. I was diagnosed with Chardomalacia Pattellae, Bursitis, AND swelling and inflammation of my right knee because of these shoes in late Aug, when the results of the MRI came back. My doc and I suspect the same think is wrong with my left knee. I did send a blistering letter of complaint to Skechers last month, but have yet to receive a response from them, and frankly doubt I will. My knees are a work in progress, but it's going to take a while before I can get them back to where they were prior to purchasing these shoes. So my advice to anyone even think of purchasing Skecher's to think again, as if can happen to me, it can happen to someone else. It took an xray and a MRI (which I felt like a BB glow cube for a week afterwards from the radiation) to confirm the diagnoses. I take Advil for when the inflammation get's bad, but otherwise just keep on working at getting my knees better.

Trish --

One can never be too careful with knees. I have known people who had knee problems that they thought just "went away" on their own, and then they ended up having to have surgery later on.

I hope your knees get back to full strength! And, in the meantime, remind me not to wear Skechers!! (I used to wear a lot of Nike and Reebok, but I switched to New Balance about 10 years ago or so.)

So I'm thinking of being in the parks on December 22nd and 23rd.

I noticed that EMH is on Monday for DCA and Tuesday for DL. Does that make a huge difference with the crowds if I got there at normal rope-drop hours? (I realize it'll already be super crowded since it's peak Christmas season).

Disregarding EMH, I was leaning towards DCA on Monday and DL on Tuesday since DCA closes earlier which gives us a little more time to rest for the next day (rope-drop to closing for both parks). I also kinda like ending trips with the better park.

WTFetus --

As you mentioned, the days you are going are likely going to be pretty crowded anyway, as it is just a few days before Christmas.

That said, I know that a lot of people are of the belief that one should avoid the park that has the EMH or MM if one is not planning to take advantage of that extra hour. A lot of people seem to feel that it is extra crowded on those EMH or MM days.

I would probably do exactly what you're doing if I were going to one park per day -- DCA on Monday and DL on Tuesday. I think it sounds like a good plan, aside from whatever extra crowds the EMH might bring.

Your memory NEVER ceases to astound me! I would plan for Halloween, but there just isn't enough time and too much going on already next month. Disneyland is fun no matter what time of year you go, and you're right I wasn't planning to ever return during Holiday time (the crowds were so bad last year that second week of December!!), but I think (I mean I hope) going the week prior to thanksgiving we will have lower crowds. And since we saw 90% of the holiday stuff last year I think I would be able to take it easy this time and go with the flow. That is all assuming we go. I mentioned to my husband that I was pricing everything out and he said "you're crazy" the more I talked the more he told me to be quiet because he doesn't want me convincing him to go. I'd say it is 50/50 right now on if we go. I told him never even mention the possibility of going to DL without being prepared for me to try and make it work. Hotels are scarce already at good rates and the flights are already getting expensive to go at times that work for the kids and don't require waking up at an obscene hour. And driving only saves about $100 but will take a few hours longer (with multiple breaks because the baby doesn't like being in his car seat for more than an hour or so). We'll see!

egritz --

I do have a good memory (though it is getting hazy with age), but I also have a mind for details, and certain facts and details stick out in my head when I read posts here on this board!

Well, one way to look at this upcoming trip is that you've already been there for the holidays and weren't overly impressed, so -- if your trip happens -- it probably wouldn't be any worse. It may even be better -- not just in terms of crowds, but also because you won't have any specific expectations about holiday merriment that end up not being met. You know what to expect and you know most of what's there, so nothing should be a surprise or a let-down. As you said, you can just take it easy and go with the flow.

Ok, that's funny! You nailed it. I'm good with winter until after Christmas because once its over, the music stops playing, the treats are gone, the buying of gifts ceases, and I'm just left cold! Now the beach, I enjoy all year long.


She does bring treats home. It's nice to have a bite and to try everything without having to spend a fortune. I agree, the lemon pound cake is amazing! Their cake pops are delicious too especially the Birthday Cake pop. Let me know what you think of the scone.

Jenny --

I haven't tried a cake pop at Starbucks! I hardly ever go in there -- maybe just a few times in a year, and some of those visits will be at DLR. They have a lot of good stuff in the display cases -- I even tried one of their breakfast sandwiches earlier this year -- and they have the famous "Red Cups" for the holidays, but it's just those long, slow lines that I can't deal with.

 

[crystal1313]

Haha, I knew I didn't have any. I guess I know what area I need to take photos in!

 

[Phoenixrising]

I'm feeling so deprived (or depraved depending on what my mood is!). I went on a search at our local grocery store this morning and they had NO special seasonal treats. While they had fruit cake they had nothing even remotely pumpkin spiced other than pumpkin pie, GRUMBLE!! So I had to make my yearly trek to Starbucks for a Venti Pumpkin Spiced Latte. They are the few places here that actually sell pumpkin spiced beverages and treats. Not even in cookies and ice cream. Peppermint ice cream was no where to be found either. Sometime's it sucks living in the Great Wet North.

 

[Sherry E]

New from the Parks Blog:

"Seasonal Delights for Thanksgiving at Disneyland Resort" -- Disney Parks Blog; posted on September 26th, 2014 by Pam Brandon, Disney Parks Food Writer


It's time to make those reservations for Thanksgiving!!

​

 

[Orbitron]

New from the Parks Blog:

"Seasonal Delights for Thanksgiving at Disneyland Resort" -- Disney Parks Blog; posted on September 26th, 2014 by Pam Brandon, Disney Parks Food Writer


It's time to make those reservations for Thanksgiving!!

​

Can I make the reservation for the Thanksgiving dinner at the Disneyland Hotel ballroom only by phone or through the Disneyland website too?

 

[Sherry E]

Can I make the reservation for the Thanksgiving dinner at the Disneyland Hotel ballroom only by phone or through the Disneyland website too?

Orbitron --

From what I have heard in the past, I thought that the ballroom/feast reservations had to be made over the phone. Disneyland Dining may have updated their system to take those reservations online, but I suspect that calling in will be the way to go, unfortunately (I know it's difficult for you and our other DIS'ers who don't live in the U.S.!).

 

[dolphingirl47]

Orbitron --

From what I have heard in the past, I thought that the ballroom/feast reservations had to be made over the phone. Disneyland Dining may have updated their system to take those reservations online, but I suspect that calling in will be the way to go, unfortunately (I know it's difficult for you and our other DIS'ers who don't live in the U.S.!).

Thanks Sherry. This is good to know. I have set my heart on this. Fortunately I get free calls to the USA as long as a single call does not last longer than an hour. I will have to make a lot of them over the next months as I also have to call for the two tours I want to do and the chefs counter at Napa Rose.

Corinna

 

[Orbitron]

Okay, I gathered all my courage and called 714-781-DINE. Sometimes it is a bit difficult to understand something on the phone when you aren't a native English speaker. The lady was very nice and she told me that the reservations for the Thanksgiving Feast at the Disneyland Hotel will not open before October 8th. The reservation can be made through the website too. You can see there anything yet, but it will be under special events. Let's wait and see if that's true!

 

[Sherry E]

Okay, I gathered all my courage and called 714-781-DINE. Sometimes it is a bit difficult to understand something on the phone when you aren't a native English speaker. The lady was very nice and she told me that the reservations for the Thanksging Feast at the Disneyland Hotel will not open before October 8th. The reservation can be made through the website too. You can see there anything yet, but it will be under special events. Let's wait and see if that's true!

Orbitron --

That's great to know! Thank you so much for reporting back to us about it. That tells us exactly when the Disneyland Hotel Thanksgiving Feast can be booked (though I am guessing that the other Thanksgiving meals can be booked today or tomorrow), and that online booking will be available too! Excellent!