Disneyland at Christmas/Holiday Season Superthread #4

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Thanks Bret! I'm loving your shot of the tree in DLH with the Gingerbread house in the background. Hope you don't mind if I completely copy that idea this year!

Thanks Janet. It's no problem. I will look forward to seeing that picture on your upcoming trip. After seeing your picture of the GCH lobby tree from the upper floor, I will have to think about going up stairs and get that picture. The only problem for me is that the tree might not be up during my trip in mid November since the decorations for the DLR hotels go up around the week of Thanksgiving break.
 
These Park Blogs came in over the last few days, but in case you didn't see them...

"New, Yet Familiar Faces Animate Haunted Mansion Holiday at Disneyland Park" -- Disney Parks Blog; posted on October 3rd, 2014 by Shannon Swanson, Public Relations Manager, Disneyland Resort

"Time-Lapse Video: Haunted Mansion Holiday Gingerbread House Installed at Disneyland Park" -- Disney Parks Blog; posted on October 1st, 2014 by Erin Glover, Social Media Director, Disneyland Resort



As planningjollyholiday reported a couple of days ago, the Holidays section of the Disneyland website was updated with a bit more detail about the season -- although nothing new. The interesting thing is that they mention the times that Olaf's ice rink will be open/available, but they do not say anything to indicate that the Winter Village and the Ice Rink will open after Thursday, November 13th -- and we are assuming that both the rink and the Village would have to go up after 11/13 or even after 11/16, as the Avengers Marathon Weekend is going on from 11/14-11/16.

So I'm not sure if the people who update the text on the DLR website are just trying to make it seem as if the Village and Rink will be open as soon as the season starts on 11/13, and we will find out the actual opening date later, OR if they somehow figured out a way to open the rink and the Village on 11/13 and have the Marathon too.:confused3

Another puzzling thing is that the DLR website mentions the Disneyland Carolers (in Downtown Disney) on December 5th, and also on December 16th through 25th, as well as the Anaheim Ballet performing scenes from The Nutcracker on December 5th and 19th.

The dates for both the Carolers in DTD and for The Nutcracker are exactly the same as they were last year (which you can see in this Disney Parks Blog piece from 2013). I know that sometimes the dates from the previous year will stay in the DLR computer system until new dates come along and push them out, so I am not sure if the dates for these Downtown Disney events will, indeed, be exactly the same this year or if Disney accidentally posted the dates from 2013. It's odd that all of the dates would be a carbon copy of 2013.

And...even though Erin at the Parks Blog finally said that Jingle Cruise would be back this year, I find it odd that there is no mention of it on the DLR website! It's not as massive an overlay as It's a Small World Holiday, but it is an overlay and it would be worth mentioning in print!

:santa:
 
Thanks Janet. It's no problem. I will look forward to seeing that picture on your upcoming trip. After seeing your picture of the GCH lobby tree from the upper floor, I will have to think about going up stairs and get that picture. The only problem for me is that the tree might not be up during my trip in mid November since the decorations for the DLR hotels go up around the week of Thanksgiving break.

I'll keep my fingers crossed for you that the tree goes up in time for your trip! If you bring a tripod on your trips, it's definitely a tripod-worthy shot, although I took the easy route and just went handheld.
 

This week pictures are beautiful. Everything is so detailed! I am looking forward to seeing them all for the first time. I do have a fear I may spend ALL my time just staring at the trees and miss everything else! GREAT job everyone!
 
Nice pictures Luisa.

I'll keep my fingers crossed for you that the tree goes up in time for your trip! If you bring a tripod on your trips, it's definitely a tripod-worthy shot, although I took the easy route and just went handheld.

Thanks Janet. I always keep my fingers crossed every time I go in mid November if the Christmas decorations are up at the DLR hotels but from past history (first weekend of the official start up of the holiday season is usually when I go and again this year during the Avengers Marathon) it is unlikely. Last year during Thanksgiving break (22nd to 25th during the second weekend), I didn't expect the decorations to be up at that time and it was great to see the decorations. You know me that I will always bring my tripod for my trips especially for the nighttime show. I don't use it too often during the daytime (except for the parades) so maybe during my trip in November that I will carry it with me (even during the daytime) and get those pictures.
 
I do have a few photos for this week! :cool1: I've been so busy planning for Halloween that I still can't seem to focus on Thanksgiving. And now dh has ended up in a cast! A walking cast at least but it's still going to throw a kink into our trick or treat plans. So I'm taking a small break from Halloween and focusing on Thanksgiving! lol







These shouldn't really count as trees. lol




Tree in Coke Corner



 
Here are a few from 2012. Please excuse the quality. It was this trip that convinced me to upgrade to a DSLR. :goodvibes

The last ones are from Club 33.


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While we are still celebrating our Christmas Trees and Wreaths Theme Week (there's just about 12 hours left of this theme and then we are on to a new one tomorrow morning), here are some blogs you might find interesting:


From the Disney Parks Blog

The Christmas Trees of Disneyland Park -- Disney Parks Blog; posted on December 25th, 2013 by Erin Glover, Social Media Director, Disneyland Resort

The Christmas Trees of Cars Land at Disney California Adventure Park -- Disney Parks Blog; posted on December 24th, 2013 by Erin Glover, Social Media Director, Disneyland Resort




From babble (Courtesy of Disney)

"25 Beautiful Holiday Wreaths Hung with Care at Disneyland Resort" -- babble; posted by Disney Sisters approximately December 2013 or January 2014



From DIS Unplugged

"Disneyland Holiday Design: The Wreaths of Small World Holiday" - DIS Unplugged; by Nancy Johnson, December 1, 2011



And...remember I said that I saw on the news several years ago that there were over 700 trees (of all sizes) around Disneyland Resort during the holidays? Well, Erin reported that there are "nearly 700" in this 2011 blog, which is close enough to what I heard -- though this was pre-California Adventure makeover, and I think that more trees have been added in to DCA, DTD and the 3 hotels since 2011, if I were to guess. I don't think we have a full count of how many wreaths there are, that I can recall off-hand:

Test Your Disneyland Resort Holiday Knowledge - Disney Parks Blog; posted on December 22nd, 2011 by Erin Glover, Manager, Social Media and Print




From Disney by the Numbers


Disneyland-Christmas by the Numbers (click the "Disneyland" tab)







:santa::santa:


:santa::santa:
 
Can someone with an AP check something for me? I will be redeeming my AP when I go to Disneyland in Dec but I can't get to the AP page until then. I'm just wondering if I can get a better deal on my Disneyland Hotel Stay. I'm booked from December 6- 13th - can someone check to see prices for me? Thanks so much!
 
Just wanted to report that they are carrying coffee mate rum cake and butter toffee at Target as well as the peppermint mocha and pumpkin spice. They also had International delight sugar cookie and gingerbread creamer as well as pumpkin pie spice. I took pictures of them but can't upload on the iPhone so I will post them later. Just wanted to give a holiday update. They also have the Christmas stuff with the Halloween which had me saying what happens when two holidays collide. :)
 
Can someone with an AP check something for me? I will be redeeming my AP when I go to Disneyland in Dec but I can't get to the AP page until then. I'm just wondering if I can get a better deal on my Disneyland Hotel Stay. I'm booked from December 6- 13th - can someone check to see prices for me? Thanks so much!

It appears the rooms aren't available for some of those days at any of the 3 hotels (at least on the website). You can call to find out if there may be some not publicized. You don't have to have an AP to reserve the AP rate, you just have to have one at check-in.
 
Can someone with an AP check something for me? I will be redeeming my AP when I go to Disneyland in Dec but I can't get to the AP page until then. I'm just wondering if I can get a better deal on my Disneyland Hotel Stay. I'm booked from December 6- 13th - can someone check to see prices for me? Thanks so much!

On the AP hotel availability it is saying that none of the rooms are available for your dates. Even when I change your dates around it says not available. One thing to note though is the AP site has been changing daily. You can also call to see if something becomes available because of someone canceling. You do not need an AP to book or even ask about the rates. Sorry.
 
Getting caught up on some replies/comments...


Oh my gosh, this waiting is KILLING us! I'm not sure if the amazing pics on here are helping or hindering :rotfl2: (well, at least they are giving me ideas on what I want to make sure to take pics of anyway). Just over 2 months and we are all getting pretty impatient. It's going by fast but still seems to take forever some days.

Keep them coming! It's a strange form of torture for me. I'm a masochist, apparently.

SweetAlex --

:rotfl2: Well, I think the photos can both help and hinder! In most cases they will help show people what to look for and what not to miss (little details and hidden gems), because there are so many things that can go overlooked. In other cases they may hinder if they work to create a build-up to the holidays and the trip doesn't live up to expectations, I suppose.

The good thing is that the time seems to be passing fairly quickly, so everyone's trips will be here soon -- but they will also be over soon as well. That's the down side of it all!:(


I was just in the parks and saw a small display of holiday clothes in Elias & Co! I didn't recognize the designs from last year, so it might be some new things for this year!

I don't want to confuse folks by posting photos of merchandise while the theme week is not merchandise, but if folks want to see the shirts and sweaters, here are a few photos:
http://i963.photobucket.com/albums/.../Holiday Merchandise/DSC_0272_zpse36ed722.jpg
http://i963.photobucket.com/albums/.../Holiday Merchandise/DSC_0271_zpsb8bccf0c.jpg
http://i963.photobucket.com/albums/.../Holiday Merchandise/DSC_0270_zps4a10ecb7.jpg
http://i963.photobucket.com/albums/.../Holiday Merchandise/DSC_0269_zps73996896.jpg

Thank you, figment_jii, for posting those links to the merchandise pictures! Were those items also in the Emporium or in the Showcase store on Main Street as well, or only in Elias & Co.?

I like the 3rd one down -- the black shirt with the snowflakes! At first it looked like a sweater (due to the glare on my monitor from the sun). Whatever it is, I like the black, white and purplish-blue colors!



....There are some great photos being shared-thanks Sherry for these great holiday threads!

You're very welcome, Chris! :goodvibes And thank you for participating in these Countdowns! I know that everyone here really loves seeing your photos.

Off topic -- how was your brief visit to Catalina last month? Did you get some nice shots?


WOW! I can't believe all the different Christmas trees. Can't wait to see them all just 2 months from today when we arrive at the DLH!

If you had to guess, how many Christmas trees would you say there are in total? at Disneyland, at California Adventure, at the hotels & in downtown Disney???

Brunolvr --

The trees come in various sizes, colors and styles too -- some are very basic and classic. Some are more whimsical and ornate and theme-specific. Look everywhere from window displays (for the tiny trees) to store display shelves (such as the "candy trees" in Marceline's Confectionery in Downtown Disney), to all of the restaurants and shops. Some of the trees may not be conventional trees, but instead could be made of paper or candles or flowers, or even fake "cake."

I can tell you that most of the restaurants in both parks, all 3 Disney hotels and in Downtown Disney -- with the exception of some of the walk-up/counter service places without indoor seating -- have Christmas trees of some sort. Likewise, most of the shops -- with some exceptions -- have trees as well. And if they don't have trees you can bet they have a wreath or a strand of garland!

The wreaths are almost just as interesting because they are all theme-appropriate and feature such interesting details.

Supposedly there were approximately 700 Christmas trees all around Disneyland Resort (including the hotels and Downtown Disney) -- give or take a few -- back in 2008 or 2009, which was when I saw a segment on the local news that gave some facts and figures. The Disney Parks Blog later confirmed it, more or less.

However, just recently Disneyland News (an official source that posts a lot of press releases) did a piece on Disneyland's Horticulture and reported that during the holidays there are "nearly 200" trees...which would mean that 500 trees somehow got eliminated. :faint::scared1: It was clearly a typo that they did not catch, as there is no way DLR lost 500 trees or more in the last 5 or 6 years. If anything, they have gained some new trees since the "re-imagining" of California Adventure and since a couple of the hotels have been spruced up.

So I am going to go out on a limb and say that there have got to be more than 700 trees around DLR now. Last year I seemed to be encountering them wherever I went as I strolled around.



So I browsed through the first page but not the whole thread....quick question about characters. I know the Tremaines are in the holiday parade but a CM at city hall mentioned they all meet during the day by small world during Christmas time... Is that true?

Hi, Cassie!:wave:

Welcome! I'm glad to see you made it over here from the Halloween thread!

I'm so sorry that your question went unanswered. :guilty: Hopefully someone will see it now and have the answer for you.

To be honest, I have never seen the Tremaines meeting by IASW during the holiday season, and I don't think I have heard of them being there either. However, that doesn't mean anything. Maybe they have been there all along and I never knew it? It seems like someone would have mentioned it by now, though.


After having passes last year and getting to enjoy so many wonderful times- we are planning a 3 day trip this November 21-23. I am so excited to go back and especially during the holiday season. Can't wait!!!:cool1:

Welcome back, stubby!

I am excited for you! As you know, the holidays are an amazing time to visit DLR!:cool1:


Were any of you Christmas travelers at DCA on the nights of CP last year? We were at DLR, but not at DCA those nights.

We are considering doing WoC that Saturday night and I am curious how busy the park was.

Janet --

It seems like somewhere, not too long ago, I was reading someone's comment about being in DCA on a CP night. It wasn't on this forum, or I would be able to easily find it and link it for you, but I must have seen it on some other site that I came across in passing. I don't recall much more of what was said (it must not have been very detailed) other than that a lot of crowds leave DL and head across the Esplanade. I am paraphrasing, but that was the gist of it. That fits with what I always thought and believed to be true anyway -- that a lot of people that I see trying to escape Town Square head over to DCA!


First thing this morning, 6:15am........ I got the dreaded message! Is their an issue with Dis Boards??:scared:

Have a better day Sherry! We had cable issues this week here too...

--Lori

Lori --

Whatever the server trouble was, it seems to be fixed now.

If it were only cable issues, that would be one thing. Instead, it has been "one of those weeks" in general, with a variety of things going wrong. But...it will pass. I must focus on happy, positive things -- such as, the Hallmark Channel's Countdown to Christmas is beginning in 26 days!!!:cool1::cool1:



I got it too. I'm checking in before my son's party. sadly he will only have two kids at the party every one else earthier was sick or couldn't get a ride this far away now. On other news got him a book shelf for all the k12.com books that we are getting, one box got here yesterday waiting for the rest.
Well see you all later have a good day

JadeDarkstar --

I hope your son had a nice party, despite the fact that only a couple of kids were able to be there. I'm sure the bookshelf will come in handy!


Sherry I'm sorry to hear about your problems. I've had a crazy week too. On Thurs I had to take DS11 to emerg after an accident at the school. He tore up alot of ligaments and tendons in his left thumb, and is in a splint for at least a week if not more:sad2:. Have to take him to the doc next week to have it checked again. So Captain Chaos strikes again!!:crutches::crutches: This is the 4th time he's managed to make it into emerg this year, twice for an ankle that turned out was a bone bruise and another time for a school related incident. He would be in emerg alot more, but I got my high end first ticket many years ago, and because of this I can avoid taking him to emerg for the minor stuff. DS10 is not nearly the daredevil so he rarely goes to emerg thank goodness!

Trish --

Good grief! Your family has been plagued with accidents and health issues in the last year or two! I hope your son heals soon. You should have at least a couple of years without having to deal with doctors and hospitals.

Thank you Sherry! And I did think about you as the calendar turned over to October. I hope it's starting to feel more fall like out your way. We woke up to weather in the 30's this morning. Definitely felt fall in the air in this part of the country!

Janet --

Nope. It's not even close to feeling Fall-ish. It's over 100 degrees, again. It's as if Summer didn't get the memo that it is over and is supposed to go away!:rotfl2: In between heat waves, it dropped down to a chilly ;);) mid-70s for a very short while, at which point the weather people on the news were saying it was "cool and crisp" and that it was "refreshing" to be able to get out the sweaters and sweatshirts. :rotfl2::rotfl2: It was refreshing that it wasn't 100+ degrees, but it was 75 degrees!:rotfl2: I asked this in the Halloween Superthread, but who do you know that grabs for sweaters and sweatshirts when it is 75 degrees in Southern California? No one grabs for warm clothes when it is 75 degrees -- it's still warm!

It has to drop down to at least 50-something degrees before I even think about getting out a sweater -- especially in the daytime -- and when it drops down to 30 degrees I will get out the coats and gloves and neck scarves.




This week pictures are beautiful. Everything is so detailed! I am looking forward to seeing them all for the first time. I do have a fear I may spend ALL my time just staring at the trees and miss everything else! GREAT job everyone!

Tracy --

Did you happen to catch the Halloween movie on Hallmark -- Midnight Masquerade? As I was saying to tksbaskets in this thread, I wanted to love it but it was not as good as the Christmas movies. It was missing something -- a certain spark. They tried to really do up the Halloween decorations in the background of every scene, but it just lacked something that the Christmas movies seem to have in abundance.


Just wanted to report that they are carrying coffee mate rum cake and butter toffee at Target as well as the peppermint mocha and pumpkin spice. They also had International delight sugar cookie and gingerbread creamer as well as pumpkin pie spice. I took pictures of them but can't upload on the iPhone so I will post them later. Just wanted to give a holiday update. They also have the Christmas stuff with the Halloween which had me saying what happens when two holidays collide. :)

Jenasweetemotion --

The two holidays are colliding a lot more often over time, I think! I guess there is not really enough time to let things settle down after Pumpkin Pandemonium ends before stocking the shelves with holiday stuff. There is no break anymore -- the two seasons overlap in terms of marketing, decor and merchandise, and one transitions right into the other!

I wonder if the Sugar Cookie flavor of International Delight is good. It sounds good in theory, but I wonder if it would actually be good in coffee. It might be better in cocoa (like how you put creamer in your hot chocolate mug before brewing it with the Keurig)?


On the AP hotel availability it is saying that none of the rooms are available for your dates. Even when I change your dates around it says not available. One thing to note though is the AP site has been changing daily. You can also call to see if something becomes available because of someone canceling. You do not need an AP to book or even ask about the rates. Sorry.

Jenasweetemotion --

Yes -- your suggestion and Escape2Disney/Carrie's suggestion to call is a good one, as I remember a CM in the Reservations Dept. of DLR telling me last year that their computer system often does not have the most recent updates for a couple of days or more. She said that by calling you can get more up-to-the-minute info on what is available. So, whatever the info is that is showing on the Hotels calendar now could be different over the phone tomorrow morning.
 
Janet --

It seems like somewhere, not too long ago, I was reading someone's comment about being in DCA on a CP night. It wasn't on this forum, or I would be able to easily find it and link it for you, but I must have seen it on some other site that I came across in passing. I don't recall much more of what was said (it must not have been very detailed) other than that a lot of crowds leave DL and head across the Esplanade. I am paraphrasing, but that was the gist of it. That fits with what I always thought and believed to be true anyway -- that a lot of people that I see trying to escape Town Square head over to DCA!

Thanks for that Sherry. I guess we'll brace ourselves and just jump on in.

That's our arrival day and since it looks like we'll be upgrading to APs I think we're going to book a WoC dinner somewhere and see the show that night. I won't plan on anything else though. At least they only issue a certain number of FPs and dining package tickets. So how busy could it be? :teeth: Famous last words, right?
 
Thanks for that Sherry. I guess we'll brace ourselves and just jump on in.

That's our arrival day and since it looks like we'll be upgrading to APs I think we're going to book a WoC dinner somewhere and see the show that night. I won't plan on anything else though. At least they only issue a certain number of FPs and dining package tickets. So how busy could it be? :teeth: Famous last words, right?

Janet --

:rotfl2: True. One never knows...

Well, so far we know of nothing new and/or major that will draw in even more crowds on top of the folks already escaping the CP. Everything seems to be business as usual for right now, so hopefully there won't be any sudden crowd-attracting surprises coming our way!:rotfl2:

Although...why do I have a feeling that the creative masterminds at DLR are still furiously trying to figure out a way to shoehorn even more Frozen into the holiday season (in addition to the meet & greet, the Boutique in DTD, the Olaf ice rink and Olaf's major role in Winter Dreams)? I don't think they will do what MiceChat was claiming at this point -- the whole Frozen mini-land in Hollywood -- but there has been so much Frozen-related material in the various Parks Blogs over the last couple of months that I cannot see them dropping it.

Let's take bets -- how long before Anna, Elsa and Olaf end up as dolls in It's a Small World? Maybe a mini-Arendelle will become part of the neighborhood on the Storybook Land Canal Boat ride? Maybe they will take over Pixie Hollow and it will be transformed into some sort of ice kingdom? Maybe Anna and Elsa will have to rescue Olaf from the jaws of a hungry tiger (while wearing Santa hats) on the Jingle Cruise? Or, maybe Jack Sparrow will help Anna search for Elsa before she is captured by a nefarious pirate? The possibilities are endless.;)
 
LOL, Sherry! Too funny...... too funny because of how much I fear it might all come true! :rotfl:

I'm still perplexed on why the Forzen overload at WDW but everything is just so quiet at DLR........ I just can't believe they're still going to do anything new in time for this holiday season. I guess all we can do is wait and see........popcorn::
 
Here are the pictures of the products I mentioned in another post. Enjoy!
Also am courious how the sugar cookie tastes but for now I will enjoy the toffee. :)
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Thank you, figment_jii, for posting those links to the merchandise pictures! Were those items also in the Emporium or in the Showcase store on Main Street as well, or only in Elias & Co.?

I like the 3rd one down -- the black shirt with the snowflakes! At first it looked like a sweater (due to the glare on my monitor from the sun). Whatever it is, I like the black, white and purplish-blue colors!
Hi Sherry - I only saw the clothing at Elias & Co. I looked at Showcase (all either Halloween or kids costumes) and the Emporium and didn't see it at either. My other guess would have been the Frontierland clothing shop, but it didn't see anything there either. So, maybe Elias & Co was early! Honestly, I was pretty surprised to see some holiday clothes already out in September! I got the white shirt/light weight sweatshirt with the ornaments. The black shirt was made of lightweight t-shirt material (I think). I really liked the black one that said "Believe" but I think it would be too warm for me, even in the winter.
 
So how crowded exactly is the holiday season at both parks? I'll be in on Monday and Tuesday (December 22nd and 23rd).

I typically go in June or July (even went during grad nights last year). It was packed, but bearable. Is the holiday season even worse?
 
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