Disneyland at Christmas/Holiday Season Superthread #4

[yupikgal]

 

[Orbitron]

DLP's season is starting on 11/9? That's a Sunday, correct? Do their holiday seasons usually begin on Sundays?

I'm not quite sure, but I don't think that Disneyland Paris always starts his seasons on the same day. I hope in Anaheim will everything be in full swing when we arrive on November 16th!

 

[Sherry E]

Don't forget to get your "Hotels of the Disneyland Resort" holiday photos posted by tomorrow night -- Sunday, August 31, 2014 -- at 11:59 P.S.T.!!!!

In 2 days -- Labor Day, Monday, September 1, 2014 -- we will begin a new Theme Week!

By the way -- how fast is time flying? Can you believe it is almost September 1st? The Disney Parks Blog announced the #GetHappier Monday Summer Surprise thing back on June 2nd, and now it is going to be over in 2 days.

Plus, wasn't I just lamenting the start of summer back in June, and dreading having to endure 3 months of horrible heat? It's still hot, but when did it jump from June to September?

The hot weather probably won't go away until November, but this may have been the fastest summer in my recent memory! Summer is officially over in 24 days!! Wheeeeeeeeee!!!!!

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yupikgal --

Yay! I'm so glad you posted your photos for this week's theme! And you have given us further visual proof (in addition to what PHXscuba posted) of the Carolers in the Disneyland Hotel lobby!

I also love the Believe in Holiday Magic fireworks channel -- very clever of you to use that as a Hotels installment! That is unique -- no one else has posted a photo of the channel with the BIHM logo in the entire history of the Countdown or of the Superthread, and yet, it is definitely a hotel-specific thing!

Plus -- am I imagining things, or is that a PPH Concierge Lounge Christmas tree? I've never done Concierge at the PPH, but judging from the artwork on the walls I would guess that is the PPH. And if that is the PPH, it is a room in the PPH I've never seen, so...I am thinking Concierge?

Anyway, you have earned your first entry into the random draw for a $25 Disney gift card at the end of the Countdown in early November! There is a new Theme Week beginning on Monday, 9/1, so stay tuned!

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I'm not quite sure, but I don't think that Disneyland Paris always starts his seasons on the same day. I hope in Anaheim will everything be in full swing when we arrive on November 16th!

Orbitron --

I would be shocked and stunned if all of the festivities in the 2 parks were not up and running by 11/16, or by 11/14. Just looking at the start dates of the last 5 holiday seasons below, it seems like Disney hovers around the same few days in November (the 12th-14th), and they have not started the season "late" since 2008. They seem to particularly enjoy starting the season on 11/12:

Friday, November 21, 2008
Friday, November 13, 2009
Friday, November 12, 2010
Monday, November 14, 2011
Monday, November 12, 2012
Tuesday, November 12, 2013


So I can't imagine that the season would officially begin any later than 11/14 -- as popular as the holidays are at DLR (and they have become even more popular in the last 5 years or so), it wouldn't make sense to start after the Avengers marathon weekend is over.

I am thinking Disney is going with another 11/12 official start date, or 11/14.

I also think that, somewhere during the course of your trip, you will be able to see some of the hotels' décor going up early as well!

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[Minnie Sue Oz]

Had to search hard, but finally found a one!

Christmas 2010 GCH

 

[Sherry E]

Beautiful picture of the GCH tree, Minnie Sue Oz! You have earned another entry into the random draw for the Disney gift card.

 

[Luisa]

Gosh, I've been so busy checking out everyone else's pictures I nearly forgot my own! Every visit I say I'm going to go have a look at all the hotels and their decorations and never do, I did snap a couple on the way through GCH though.

 

[Sherry E]

You have until tonight -- Sunday, August 31st, at 11:59 p.m., P.S.T. -- to post your "Hotels of the Disneyland Resort" holiday photos, to be entered into the draw for a $25 Disney gift card in November!

Tomorrow, as we say goodbye to August and to the end of the #GetHappier Monday Summer Surprise campaign that Disney has been running since June 2nd, we switch to a brand new theme and a new Theme Week!!!

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Luisa --

I'm glad you made it into this theme week before we switch over to the new theme tomorrow morning (well, I guess it's already tomorrow morning where you are!)!! Lovely photos!

Even though the lights on the GCH tree were different in 2013 than they had been in previous years -- they were brighter in 2013 and not as golden in tone -- that GCH tree is still quite a sight to behold every year. I know that my holiday trips to DLR would not be complete without seeing the GCH tree and lobby, and without seeing the PPH tree (despite all of its "interesting" new décor). I also love the gingerbread houses in the GCH restaurants and the reindeer out in front of the hotel. The hotels in full holiday mode really add so much to the whole Disneyland Resort holiday experience for me.

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

I was only able to find one picture of the carolers and it isn't a good one at that! I'm glad others were able to share pictures of them at the DLH! In any case, here it is.

 

[arasekim]

I was just looking on the Disneyland website regarding the holiday tour, and noticed it said tours were available from Nov. 12th - Jan 6th, wonder if that means a Nov 12th start date for the holiday season?? Sure hope so, as we will be there the 10th -14th!! I also just want to say how much I love this thread!! Getting so excited for our first holiday time trip. We went for Halloween last trip and loved it then too! But I can't imagine anything better than seeing Disneyland decorated for Christmas! Only 68 more sleeps!!!



Never mind, nov 12, 2013. Oops!

 

[Sherry E]

Jamie --

Thank you for posting the photo of the Carolers at the DLH! You know, that giant fake gingerbread Castle doesn't seem like the right backdrop for the elegantly dressed Carolers. (I know, I pay attention to odd things!) I like the fake Castle and all (though I wish it were real gingerbread), but it is more whimsical, colorful and playful. The Carolers should be in front of a sparkly tree or something that complements their Dickensian attire a little better. That's just a small detail, though! I guess they have to stand near the sliding door to greet guests as they enter the Fantasy Tower, so that's where they need to be.

I was just looking on the Disneyland website regarding the holiday tour, and noticed it said tours were available from Nov. 12th - Jan 6th, wonder if that means a Nov 12th start date for the holiday season?? Sure hope so, as we will be there the 10th -14th!! I also just want to say how much I love this thread!! Getting so excited for our first holiday time trip. We went for Halloween last trip and loved it then too! But I can't imagine anything better than seeing Disneyland decorated for Christmas! Only 68 more sleeps!!!



Never mind, nov 12, 2013. Oops!

arasekim --

Drat! I was hoping that Disney had secretly gone in and updated the season dates.

Well, Pam Brandon from the Disney Parks Blog did say that Haunted Mansion Holiday would be up through January 6, 2015 (a Tuesday, oddly), so it is entirely possible that Disney may once again go with an 11/12 start date this year. They may just stick with the 11/12 - 1/6 time frame, to be consistent.

DLR needs to have some sort of official start date, as that is when things like the Holiday tour will begin, as well as probably some entertainment.

I'm so glad you're enjoying the thread! Thank you for joining us! We have a great group of people here who kindly share their experiences and photos, answer questions, etc. I try very hard to make the thread engaging and interesting, as well as informative and fun -- so if that mission is successful, it is rewarding!

I think that, even if the holiday season does not "officially" begin until 11/14, for some reason, you will still get most -- if not all -- of the holiday experience in the 2 parks. The hotels will probably not be decorated yet, but the 2 parks should be. The only thing I wonder about is the scheduling of things like the Christmas parade, Viva Navidad, Winter Dreams, etc. -- because the Avengers marathon is happening on that 11/14-11/16 weekend. If there were no marathon I would not expect the entertainment to be disrupted, but there has never been a marathon right around the holiday season start, so I'm not sure exactly how it will go.

In any case, if you love the holiday season, you will love it at DLR! Halloween Time is great fun, but the holiday season festivities are much more immersive and extensive than the Halloween Time festivities are. All of the décor is much more spread out around both parks. In some areas the décor is really obvious and elaborate. In other spots it is more minimal and subtle.

The themed décor in many of the lands is one of my favorite elements of the season. Toontown, A Bug's Land, Frontierland, New Orleans Square, Buena Vista Street, Cars Land, Critter Country, etc., all have décor that is perfectly themed to those locations. The details are amazing. Even at a place like the Jingle Jangle Jamboree, you can find some great themed details -- such as the snowflakes made of rope! Or, you might see red carnations in the garland above the entrance to Carnation Café. It's all so beautiful and it seems like there are treasures and gems in every area of the parks.

 

[petals]

I was wondering today is the delay in announcement about the holiday season starting because the whole holidays season could be starting after the marathon. I really hope not because we arrive the day after the marathon and I want to see hotel decorated and everything we can as we don't know when we'll be back in Disneyland

 

[Sherry E]

I was wondering today is the delay in announcement about the holiday season starting because the whole holidays season could be starting after the marathon. I really hope not because we arrive the day after the marathon and I want to see hotel decorated and everything we can as we don't know when we'll be back in Disneyland

petals --

I really don't think the hotels' décor will be affected by the marathon. The hotels were originally decorated later in November over the years -- closer to Thanksgiving or after. I suspect that because we had such a late Thanksgiving last year, Disney made an effort to get the hotels ready early -- the first reports of Christmas trees appearing at the hotels came in 9 days before Thanksgiving. They put new decorations at all 3 hotels, and I don't think they would have invested money in doing that if they didn't plan on getting the hotels ready earlier.

This year we have another late Thanksgiving, so I suspect that the trees and décor will once again begin to go up early -- probably after the official season start date, but before Thanksgiving. My guess is that the hotels' décor will begin to go up right after the marathon weekend ends -- like maybe around 11/18 or 11/19 -- and will probably be fully in place at the hotels by 11/21.

I don't think the marathon will affect the official season start date too drastically. It will just be another event that takes place during a season, like CHOC Walk takes place during Halloween Time. The holiday season is way too popular for Disney to wait to start it until 11/17 or something.

The only things that I think the marathon could potentially -- though not definitely -- affect are the schedules of parades and other shows like Viva Navidad.

Also, there will most likely not be an ice rink in Downtown Disney, as you know, so that will be one big thing that the marathon will affect.

I still think that the season will most likely officially begin on 11/12 or 11/14, but last year the season began on 11/12 and certain things did not start running until 11/15 (such as Winter Dreams and Viva Navidad)! So, we could see a start date of 11/12 again, but some things may not begin until 11/14. A lot of things will quietly, unofficially begin on the weekend of 11/7, 11/8 and 11/9.

In any case, I don't think you will miss anything! I think your dates will allow you to get the full holiday experience in the parks and at the hotels!

 

[BrynNicole]

Long time lurker here very much anticipating the holidays and getting my fix with this wonderful thread! And I do have a holiday-related question!

We tried looking last December when we were at DLR for Christmas ceramic mugs that are similar in style and size to the "Mickey Mouse Mug- Halloween" (that are currently on the Disney Store site). We have the Halloween mugs and just love the multitude of characters and holiday theming on it but a search on google is just showing me ones from Disneyland Paris...so does DLR not sell such a thing? I can't understand why they wouldn't if they have ones for Halloween. We ended up buying the souvenir holiday cocoa travel mugs and while those are nice as well, we want something for our evening coffee when we are relaxing at home and for our ever growing mug collection!

I have some photos to share as well but I guess I need to boost my post count before I can participate in the contest!

 

[Sherry E]

Long time lurker here very much anticipating the holidays and getting my fix with this wonderful thread! And I do have a holiday-related question!

We tried looking last December when we were at DLR for Christmas ceramic mugs that are similar in style and size to the "Mickey Mouse Mug- Halloween" (that are currently on the Disney Store site). We have the Halloween mugs and just love the multitude of characters and holiday theming on it but a search on google is just showing me ones from Disneyland Paris...so does DLR not sell such a thing? I can't understand why they wouldn't if they have ones for Halloween. We ended up buying the souvenir holiday cocoa travel mugs and while those are nice as well, we want something for our evening coffee when we are relaxing at home and for our ever growing mug collection!

I have some photos to share as well but I guess I need to boost my post count before I can participate in the contest!

Welcome, BrynNicole!

I think you need to get to 10 posts before posting photos, so you don't have too far to go! You'll make it into this week's theme!

In fact, I am just about to post the new theme for this week, right after this response!

About the mugs -- you know, there have been holiday mugs of varying designs and styles over the years and there is a mug of some sort every year. I don't recall ever seeing a holiday mug like that Halloween one (which I love as well!) -- with the multitude of characters on it, against holiday scenes. I could have overlooked it, but I don't think there is one just like that Halloween mug. I used to collect mugs many years ago, so I always kind of 'notice' the ones that are more interesting and more detailed (as well as the ones that are a good size), but I don't think I've ever seen a holiday mug as detailed and interesting as that specific Halloween mug.

 

[Sherry E]

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

……(Approximately) 10 Weeks Until the
Holiday Season Begins at the Disneyland Resort!!!!
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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: 8 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 1, 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, September 1, 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 caught a glimpse of the special holiday offerings at the three Hotels of the Disneyland Resort. Two weeks ago 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 seventh theme of 2014?

Today, in celebration of the Labor Day holiday, let’s take a little road trip! Rev up those engines, buckle up those seatbelts and kick it into high gear because we are headed to Radiator Springs to deck the halls, automotive style!!! Vroom vroom! (And there is no code word today, for those who are checking.)

In the Spotlight this Week......

CARS LAND!!!​

Since its grand opening in June of 2012, Cars Land has been at the epicenter of the “re-imagining” of California Adventure, drawing thousands of new guests to that park to experience the wildly imaginative new land.

Much like Toontown, Cars Land’s unique details and design are whimsical, fun and playful, and always full of inside jokes. It is no surprise that the holiday décor in Radiator Springs – the main hub of activity – would be reflective of those traits as well.

Our favorite Cars characters use their surroundings and tools to creatively decorate for the Yuletide season. For example, instead of holly they might use hubcaps. Instead of garland they might use gas cans. And why leave a plate of cookies for Santa when you can give him…carburetors?? The possibilities are endless in this vehicular world.

As is the case with Buena Vista Street, music also plays an important role in the merriment – I guess you could say it is a ‘driving’ force behind the celebration -- except that instead of crooners and Big Bands, in Cars Land the Christmas songs which provide the festive soundtrack for the land have a definite ‘50s and ‘60s flair.

Put the pedal to the metal and cruise on over to Cars Land for the holidays!

November 2013


After a popular debut in 2012, Snowy the Snow Car made a grand return in 2013…

I love the idea of using records as ornaments on this chrome-inspired Christmas tree at Flo’s…

This tree at Ramone’s was new in 2013, and was not there in 2012…

Fillmore’s “angelic” tree topper…

One of the unique Christmas trees inside Sarge’s…

And another unique Christmas tree in Sarge’s…

At the Popcone stand…

One of my all-time favorite details of the holiday offerings at Disneyland Resort is the miniature gingerbread model of the (decorated-for-Christmas) Cozy Cone Motel, complete with gingerbread cones to represent the different food stands…

…And there is even a tiny version of the Cozy Cone Christmas tree!!!

November 2012



The real Cozy Cone Christmas tree…

This little gingerbread gem was on display at Flo’s for the holiday season of 2012, but was nowhere to be found in 2013…

At Flo’s…

Nighttime fun in Cars Land…

December 2012

This Radiator Winter sign was gone in 2013…

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I may or may not post more photos during the week. Please feel free to post your photos of Cars Land all this week, through Sunday, September 7th, 2014, 11:59 p.m., P.S.T.

Then, stay tuned for our eighth theme on Monday, September 8th!! We have many themes coming up in future weeks, so get your photos ready!

 

[mvf-m11c]

Courthouse Christmas tree

Stanley statue with a Christmas hat and bag or goodies

Luigi’s Flying Tires leaning tower of tires with Christmas lights and garlands

Tire looks like a wreath, wrenches which look like snow flakes and filters that look like garlands

Mater with his Santa Hat

Flo’s V8 Café

Flo’s V8 Café Motor Oil Christmas tree

Flo’s V8 Café Christmas tree inside the restaurant

Radiator Curios (wrong Winter) store

Cozy Cone Motel

Sarge’s Surplus Hut

Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree

Fillmore’s Taste-In Fuel

Cars Land Sign with the Holiday images in the letters

Ramone’s House of Body Art with garlands on the bottom

 

[pattyduke34]

I love Carsland at Christmas time!

 

[Speechphi]

And another week without any pictures to share...our last holiday trip was in 2011, pre-Carsland But we will make sure to get LOTS of photos this year! And at least I get to drool over everyone's awesome photos

 

[Misskitty3]

Carsland is so amazing! Love looking at all the trees, wreaths and other holiday decor!

 

[Sherry E]

Bret and pattyduke34 have each earned another entry into the random draw, for their holiday photos of Cars Land!



Will this finally, finally be the day when we get an official start date to the Holiday Season at Disneyland Resort? Halloween Time begins at the end of next week (!!!!!), and the Parks Blog folks have got to realize that people want specific dates and details about the Holiday Season -- which is much bigger and grander than Halloween Time, and may require a bit more planning! This delay in the announcement is pure and utter madness! Enough with all of the Legends of Frontierland business -- give us info about the Holiday Season!

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