Disneyland at Christmas/Holiday Season Superthread #4

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:santa::santa:





Misskitty3 --

You're very welcome!

I asked Nancy Johnson -- DIS Unplugged blog writer and Podcast team member and correspondent -- these questions about the CFP parade taping days:

"1. How, when and where can people find out who will be appearing in or performing in the taping of the parade in advance, and where they will be? Does ABC post it on their site? I know that the Parks Blog cannot always be relied upon to post that info in advance.;

2. Will CMs hand out schedules or brochures with the taping info (such as where the performers will be set up) at the turnstiles?;

3. How early should people begin waiting or lining up to see the performers/singers or the actual parade?;

4. Are crowds substantially worse in DL or DCA on taping days (I am going to assume they are)? and

5. Will all taping be done early enough to get out of DL for a reasonably early Goofy's Kitchen dinner?"





Nancy's reply (copied and pasted directly from Facebook, and I broke it up into paragraphs) contained great information!:




I hope that helps clarify/explain things for you, Misskitty3!


Thank you so much!!!!:banana::banana::banana:


This really helps with my planning!! I really appreciate you reaching out to Nancy! Thank you!!! Thank you!!! Thank You!!!!:goodvibes
 
I have the new theme almost ready to go for tomorrow morning, so if you have any Toontown photos to submit for this current week's theme, you have about 4 hours left to do so!



Sherry, we'll be in So Cal 12/7 but not the the DLR until 12/9 so hopefully we can meet up that week. Keep me posted. :goodvibes

Jenny --

Oh, that's right -- you're starting your trip with SoCal/beach time, and then moving over to DLR. I will definitely keep you posted. I may very well be able to meet up if I am at DLR beyond 12/7, but it's still too early for me to know.



Thank you so much!!!!:banana::banana::banana:


This really helps with my planning!! I really appreciate you reaching out to Nancy! Thank you!!! Thank you!!! Thank You!!!!:goodvibes

Misskitty3 --

No problem at all! You're welcome. I remembered that Nancy had been to DL during at least a few parade tapings and would be the best one to explain how it all works. At least now you know what to expect -- both the good and the bad!
 
That is good news to hear about ACF parade taping that weekend of what to expect. I still haven't decided on my dates yet for my November trip if I should go on the taping weekend or during the Avengers Marathon Weekend.

As always, I am looking forward to tomorrow's Theme Week.
 
That is good news to hear about ACF parade taping that weekend of what to expect. I still haven't decided on my dates yet for my November trip if I should go on the taping weekend or during the Avengers Marathon Weekend.

As always, I am looking forward to tomorrow's Theme Week.

Bret --

If I were you, I would go on the Avengers Marathon weekend. What would keep you from going on that weekend? Just the potential crowds? I doubt it could be any worse than post-Christmas, when you went last year.

There is more of a chance that everything will be officially up and running by the time of the marathon -- such as the Frozen stuff in DCA (IF that ends up happening), Viva Navidad, Winter Dreams, etc.

On the parade taping weekend, it is not as certain that all of those things will be up and in place. Downtown Disney may not even have its decorations up yet.
 

Bret --

If I were you, I would go on the Avengers Marathon weekend. What would keep you from going on that weekend? Just the potential crowds? I doubt it could be any worse than post-Christmas, when you went last year.

There is more of a chance that everything will be officially up and running by the time of the marathon -- such as the Frozen stuff in DCA (IF that ends up happening), Viva Navidad, Winter Dreams, etc.

On the parade taping weekend, it is not as certain that all of those things will be up and in place. Downtown Disney may not even have its decorations up yet.

As you know I was originally planning on going that weekend before the Avengers Marathon was announced that weekend and it changed my plans a lot. But after thinking about it more and more, it might not be as bad as what I have read from previous marathon events. The Avengers Marathon Weekend won't be as worse as the Christmas crowds. Maybe I am just getting all too worked up about the Avengers Marathon Weekend and should go with my usual plan and don't worry about the crowds.

I know for a fact that all the holiday decorations and events will be up that weekend while not everything will be up during the Christmas taping weekend. Maybe I will need to talk with my DA about it and maybe she will have no problem with the original dates during the Marathon instead of going during the Christmas taping weekend.

I am still not happy that the Avengers Marathon is happening that weekend but it shouldn't be as bad as I have read and just go with the original dates.
 
Ok, again... at the 11th hour, post for Toon Town :wave2:

Everyone has posted such great pics I figure I post my little gal looking "thrilled" next to the plastic tree....

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



……(Approximately) 11 Weeks 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 few months: 9 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, August 25, 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 I expect the Holidays at DLR to officially commence (as of early Monday, August 25, 2014, there has been no official confirmation from Disney of the holiday season start date for this year, but it is assumed that it will be sometime during the week of Monday, November 10, 2014 – Friday, November 14, 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 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 sixth theme of 2014? Today, we venture out of the parks and enjoy some of the decorations around the other areas of Disneyland Resort!






In the Spotlight this Week......

THE HOTELS OF THE DISNEYLAND RESORT
(Disneyland Hotel, Grand Californian Hotel and Paradise Pier Hotel)!!!





Beginning on or close to Thanksgiving, one of the wonderful aspects of the holiday season at the Disneyland Resort – and possibly one of the most overlooked – is the décor that you can find around the three Resort hotels: The Disneyland Hotel, the Paradise Pier Hotel and the Grand Californian Hotel. Each hotel has its own unique theme and ambiance.

Whether it’s the wacky, colorful, slightly askew tree which greets guests at Goofy’s Kitchen in the Disneyland Hotel; the Dickens carolers performing by the enormous, elegantly rustic Christmas tree in the cozy Grand Californian Hotel lobby; or the combination of ocean-inspired decorations and gorgeous, glowing jewel tones on the majestic Paradise Pier tree, there are many amazing things to see which can get you in the holiday spirit!

In 2013, all 3 hotels received new decorations to replace or complement the existing holiday overlays: The Grand Californian’s main Christmas tree was bathed in shiny new light, and reindeer were stationed outside of the entrance to greet guests as they drove or walked up to the hotel; the Paradise Pier’s primary Christmas tree was decked out in an array of oceanic ornaments; and the Disneyland Hotel’s main entrance was speckled with small lights that changed color every few seconds.

One of the best things to do is to curl up on a comfortable sofa or in a chair to soak in the atmosphere at the Grand Californian, as a pianist and guitarist take turns entertaining the relaxed audience with Christmas music. Santa Claus holds court by the tree, and there are PhotoPass photographers nearby to capture those special moments. Or, perhaps, snuggle up by the hearth with a loved one, sipping hot cocoa. Over at White Water Snacks and Storytellers Café you will find gingerbread houses, which are quite aromatic if you catch them shortly after they are first set up in their locations.

Disneyland Hotel’s Santa photo spot is a rather elaborate one, filled with reindeer decorations, toys and even cookies and milk left by the fireplace. Don’t miss the large ‘gingerbread’ Castle in the Fantasy Tower lobby (new as of 2013), and breathe in the faint smell of gingerbread that surrounds it.

The striking blue-green lobby Christmas tree is the true highlight of the decorations at the Paradise Pier Hotel, but you can also find some festive holiday touches near the PCH Grill and around the hotel property. The code word for today is: angel. New to the holiday season of 2013 was an assortment of sea-themed creatures and knick knacks on and around the tree, as well as large shells, surfboards and a starfish topper.

Anyone is welcome to visit the three Disneyland Resort hotels – you do not have to be an overnight guest to enjoy these offerings – and it’s a great way to take a break from the chaos of the parks while staying connected to holiday merriment in some way. However, keep in mind that the hotels are sometimes not decorated until Thanksgiving or the day after (there have been very few exceptions over the years), likely dependent on how early or late Thanksgiving falls in November. In 2013 they were decorated well ahead of schedule – 9 days before Thanksgiving, to be exact – but that has not always been the case and it is not known at this time if the hotels will continue to get an early makeover.

So, if you are planning a visit to Disneyland Resort in the earlier part of the holiday season (mid-November), you may not see the hotels in their Christmas-y splendor. If you want to be sure to include visits to the Hotels in your holiday trip (and all 3 hotels are within easy walking distance from the parks), plan your trip for Thanksgiving or after, to be on the safe side.






Grand Californian Hotel



(December 2013)


Guess who this is, checking out of the GCH on a Monday morning!

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The brand new reindeer out in front of the GCH, greeting guests as they drove and walked up…

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Gingerbread house in Storytellers Café…

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Gingerbread house in White Water Snacks…

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Giant tree in the lobby (which was more sparkly in 2013 than it had been in previous years – the lights had been changed)…


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Older favorites…


(December 2010)

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(December 2012)

Storytellers Café gingerbread house…

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Disneyland Hotel


(2013)


Giant fake gingerbread Castle in the lobby of the Fantasy Tower (there was a piped-in smell of gingerbread coming from somewhere that I could not figure out)…

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Santa’s beautiful photo spot in the Fantasy Tower…

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These colored lights were brand new in 2013. They were in all of the planters outside of the front entrance to the Disneyland Hotel, and each individual bulb changed to a different color every few seconds…

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The Goofy’s Kitchen tree…

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Themed tree in the Adventure Tower (notice the themed accessories)…

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The Tangaroa Terrace tree is filled with tropical flowers, candles and shells…

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The themed tree in the Frontier Tower has a more rustic design…

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Paradise Pier Hotel


(2013)


The beautiful tree, with some new and “interesting” sea-themed decorations…


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In a window display near Surf’s Up…

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I may or may not post more photos during the week. Please feel free to post your photos of the 3 Hotels of the Disneyland Resort all this week, through Sunday, August 31st, 2014, 11:59 p.m., P.S.T.

Then, stay tuned for our seventh theme on Monday, September 1st!! We have many themes coming up in future weeks, so get your photos ready!
 
After not getting any pictures of the hotels with the holiday decorations these last few years, I finally able to post some for the Theme Week Countdown.

The Grand California Hotel decorations






Disneyland Hotel






Now I will have to remember to get PPH in the near future.
 
Woot woot, one of my favorite themes. Now the tricky task of deciding which pics ill post and which ill save for the holiday trees week. :woohoo:




Great photos so far. :goodvibes






My very favorite of the DLH tree a decade ago. :rotfl2: I'll be back with more. Joshua's sour face cracks me up!



 
Bret, Orbitron and Jenny have each earned another entry into the random drawing for posting the lovely photos!



Jenny -- What a cute photo! I loved that old DLH tree when it was there (I saw it in 2001)! I loved the large gold character ornaments on it, and was disappointed when they took the tree down!


Bret -- I suppose it would be good for you, too, to add some photos of the "interesting" ocean-themed sea grass and angel fish on the PPH tree at some point. I am hoping that, this year, the PPH decorators decide to tone down the in-your-face sea ornaments on and around the tree.




Orbitron -- You got quite a few photos at the 3 hotels! Even if you didn't take as many photos at the hotels as you did around the parks, you did get some -- and that's what counts!:thumbsup2

You're correct in your guess! At first Kurt was in the Grand Californian Hotel lobby, standing by himself just a few feet away from me. He appeared to be checking his phone or text messaging or something. He didn't give off an aura of "back off, everyone," and he didn't have any guards with him or anything. So I was just about to talk myself into walking up and saying that it was great to see him in the Candlelight Ceremony the night before, when a GCH Cast Member approached and told him his car was ready or something along those lines. They walked outside.

After a couple of minutes passed, I went outside to see if Kurt was still there and he was, chatting with everyone and handing out tips (or so it seemed). I wasn't going to stand there trying to sneak in a bunch of photos, but I got the one that I posted above. Kurt seemed like a friendly person, and he probably would have been okay with a fan talking to him (as long as I didn't act ridiculous or something), but the timing was just bad. So, it was not meant to be.

DIS'er ashnjam had apparently seen Kurt at the Minnie & Friends character breakfast in DL that same morning, just before I saw Kurt leaving the GCH (and Kurt was at Club 33 the night before, after his narration for the CP was over)! If Kurt could eat at a popular character meal in the middle of Disneyland, he must not be one of those 'I'm trying to hide from people because I'm famous' actors. He is probably a very down to earth sort of fellow.
 
Bret -- I suppose it would be good for you, too, to add some photos of the "interesting" ocean-themed sea grass and angel fish on the PPH tree at some point. I am hoping that, this year, the PPH decorators decide to tone down the in-your-face sea ornaments on and around the tree.

I talked to my DA and we decided to go during the Avengers Marathon Weekend instead of going during the Christmas Taping Weekend. Since we won't be able to experience the whole Holiday season during the taping it makes sense to be able to see Viva Navidad and WoC: Winter Dreams. At least the Marathon shouldn't be as bad as I have read and heard from previous marathons. It might be unlikely the decorations on the hotels to be up that weekend where I was able to see the decorations last year during Thanksgiving break. It will be nice to see PPH all decorated once during the trip.
 
I talked to my DA and we decided to go during the Avengers Marathon Weekend instead of going during the Christmas Taping Weekend. Since we won't be able to experience the whole Holiday season during the taping it makes sense to be able to see Viva Navidad and WoC: Winter Dreams. At least the Marathon shouldn't be as bad as I have read and heard from previous marathons. It might be unlikely the decorations on the hotels to be up that weekend where I was able to see the decorations last year during Thanksgiving break. It will be nice to see PPH all decorated once during the trip.

Bret --

That's good that you got your dates set! It would be one thing if you were going to be back to DLR in December again, like last year. Then, if you missed seeing some things by going over the taping weekend in early November you could just catch them in December.

But since your schedule is hectic in December and you won't be back, you should at least go in November when you know that the season will have officially started (even though, on August 25th, we sill don't have the official dates from Disney!:confused3), so you don't miss anything other than possibly the hotel stuff.

The hotels were decorated much earlier than usual last year, on November 19th (I really think it has to do with how late Thanksgiving falls in November) -- 9 days before Thanksgiving, but still one full week after the season had officially begun at DLR (11/12).

Let's hope that whatever crowds the marathon brings will somehow prompt Disney to get the hotels ready early as well. If they know that there will be a lot of people in the parks that weekend, and many of them will be staying onsite, hopefully Disney will get the hint and roll out the giant fake gingerbread Castle at the DLH, as well as the giant tree in the GCH, if nothing else.

So, you never know, maybe the hotels will be ready by the time of your trip. There were brand new decorations added to each hotel last year (the reindeer at the GCH, the colored lights and Castle at the DLH, and the ornaments on the PPH tree), and I have to think that Disney didn't spend money on new hotel décor just to wait until Thanksgiving to put it up. Chances are they would want people to see it, so hopefully they will begin getting the hotels ready even earlier this year than last year!
 
Sherry for some reason I had my bench pictures all ready to go...perhaps your mentioning sitting on a bench. I watched the Hallmark Movie 'The Color of Rain' last night. It could have been a Countdown to Christmas movie as it's last scene was Christmas Eve. Can't wait for the real one to start!

Onward with the week's challenge!

I love the Disneyland Hotels! Especially the Grand Californian. :cloud9:

2009
We have arrived!
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Quick stop to fuel up after our long flight:
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Touring tip - get the nachos - YUM!
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Carolers in the lobby area of GCH...or in the area that leads to DTD and DL...
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I spent a wonderful 45 minutes relaxing and enjoying the entertainment. We even sang along a time or two.

It's really hard to capture the beauty of the lobby tree at the GCH.
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2012
That beautiful tree again - why until this very moment didn't I ever notice the untique tree topper??? Is it just me?
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Attemping a Sherry shot :goodvibes:
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Tiny tree outside of the lobby bar area at GCH
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Notice how much more festive the White Water Snacks tree is this year as compared to 2009??
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Nope, looks about the same to me!

More from 2013 I believe...I'll post them later.
 
Bret --

That's good that you got your dates set! It would be one thing if you were going to be back to DLR in December again, like last year. Then, if you missed seeing some things by going over the taping weekend in early November you could just catch them in December.

But since your schedule is hectic in December and you won't be back, you should at least go in November when you know that the season will have officially started (even though, on August 25th, we sill don't have the official dates from Disney!:confused3), so you don't miss anything other than possibly the hotel stuff.

The hotels were decorated much earlier than usual last year, on November 19th (I really think it has to do with how late Thanksgiving falls in November) -- 9 days before Thanksgiving, but still one full week after the season had officially begun at DLR (11/12).

Let's hope that whatever crowds the marathon brings will somehow prompt Disney to get the hotels ready early as well. If they know that there will be a lot of people in the parks that weekend, and many of them will be staying onsite, hopefully Disney will get the hint and roll out the giant fake gingerbread Castle at the DLH, as well as the giant tree in the GCH, if nothing else.

So, you never know, maybe the hotels will be ready by the time of your trip. There were brand new decorations added to each hotel last year (the reindeer at the GCH, the colored lights and Castle at the DLH, and the ornaments on the PPH tree), and I have to think that Disney didn't spend money on new hotel décor just to wait until Thanksgiving to put it up. Chances are they would want people to see it, so hopefully they will begin getting the hotels ready even earlier this year than last year!

I had some thought of going during the taping weekend and serious consider it this year with the Avengers Marathon that was happening. It was disappointing that the marathon was going to be on that weekend and changed my plans of moving the trip up. But the marathon shouldn't be as bad as I have read and so I just stick with the 1st official weekend of the holiday season as I have done these last few years (except for last year). I don't believe I will go in December this year because of basketball season where last year was a special one with my DAW friend and daughter joining us during the busy Christmas break. Maybe when I am not coaching basketball in the near future, I will have the opportunity to go back in December and go during the CP.

I have gone in November the last 4 years in November and it is interesting to experience the holiday season in November where I am used to it in December. We have to go back during the holiday season at the DLR which is our tradition. I can never imagine myself of not going back to the DLR during the holiday season. That is the only time that I will not miss out of all the seasons. That will be the only thing that I might miss is the hotel decorations where it was nice to see and take pictures of the Christmas decorations on the hotels last year.

I was a little surprised that the hotels were decorated during my trip last year (11/22-11/25) where it mostly would be decorated around Thanksgiving. Just as you said since Thanksgiving started a little late last year, the DLR decided to put up the decorations earlier than we have thought which was great.

I know that the marathon crowds won't be like Christmas break crowds and hope that it won't be that busy. It will be busy at the DLH where the Expo will be located. That will be nice to see fake gingerbread Castle at the DLH and the GCH tree.

I am not planning on the hotels to be decorated during the trip in mid November but just as you said that anything is possible. With this year and Thanksgiving day going to be the 27th which is very late in November, the decorations for the hotels might be up on the 4th weekend (22nd - 23rd) of November like last year.
 
After not getting any pictures of the hotels with the holiday decorations these last few years, I finally able to post some for the Theme Week Countdown.

The Grand California Hotel decorations

Bret I just love this picture of the lobby. You were able to capture the expansiveness very well. :thumbsup2

Orbitron I agree with Sherry - WOW you got pictures at all three hotels! Well done.

rentayenta I love that picture. The adorable curls coming out of the tree compliment the cute kids. :goodvibes

Sherry if I had been that close to Kurt I would probably have been so tongue tied I couldn't have said anything. :lovestruc I commend you for chasing after him outside to get a picture. That deserves a pixiedust:
 
Here are a few I took of the hotels...none of the Paradise Pier..I need to make sure I get over there this year!












 
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