Disneyland at Christmas/Holiday Season Superthread #4

[OHBelle]

In Holiday TV news...

For those who have the Hallmark Channel, the "Countdown to Christmas"/mega-marathon of Christmas movies and other holiday programming begins in exactly 3 weeks/21 days (which is weird to say, because I remember when I was saying that there were 7 months until the marathon began!) -- on Halloween night! There will be 13 brand new movies airing during this time, as well as at least 45 or 50 movies from their previous Countdowns/years. Since I first discovered this 2-month marathon (it usually ends right around December 31st or in the first few days of January), I became an instant fan and look forward to it every year. Leaving this channel on in the background as I do other things, and then sitting down to watch old favorites and new favorites, has become a tradition for me!

One of my favorite websites -- Countdown Until Christmas -- has the schedule and line-up for the first 10 days of Hallmark's Countdown to Christmas (and all of my favorites are showing in the line-up so far!) -- HERE.



Hallmark Movies & Mysteries’ “Most Wonderful Movies of Christmas” marathon also begins on Friday, October 31st, and it will feature at least 2 brand new movies, 5 "classic" (familiar) holiday movies and a bunch of Hallmark's holiday originals (the ones that won't run on the regular Hallmark Channel). I don't know if it lasts quite as long as its sister network's Christmas marathon lasts, but it lasts a while -- at least a month.

On ABC Family, the "Countdown to 25 Days of Christmas" begins on Sunday, November 23rd and ends on Sunday, November 30th, while the actual "25 Days of Christmas" event begins on Monday, December 1st. There are usually only 2 or 3 brand new movies that air during this time, but the notable thing about this 25-day event (for me) is that they usually devote a day or two to Rankin-Bass' old clay puppet/stop motion specials, which I love (such as The Year Without Santa Claus).

On ION Television, their “Get Wrapped Up in the Holidays!” event begins on Sunday, November 30th and includes five new, original holiday movies as well as 18 returning favorites from their holiday catalog (and all of their movies are exactly like Hallmark's movies in tone and overall plot, and they share many of the same actors). These movies appear to run until at least December 20th, if not later.


Over on the INSP network, they will offer up their “Welcome Home for Christmas” event (from November 29th thru December 25th), and it will include 2 brand new movies (also very much like Hallmark and ION movies) and premieres of "network" holiday movies (such as An American Girl Holiday).


Not to be outdone, the UP TV holiday movies (which are along the same lines of Hallmark, ION and INSP) begin on Sunday, November 2nd and run through Wednesday, December 31st (though not steadily or consistently). There will be at least 9 premieres and many of their returning favorites.


Lifetime's "It's a Wonderful Lifetime" holiday movie schedule should be announced in a couple of weeks, and will probably include anywhere from 7-10 brand new movies and dozens of their older ones. Their movie schedule is a little harder to predict, as they sometimes start the movies in early November and sometimes in mid-to-late November. I am guessing their holiday movies (which are very similar to Hallmark's, UP's and ION's) will probably begin on Saturday, November 8th or Saturday, November 15th.



TCM's Christmas movie line-up is a bit hard to figure out in terms of when it "officially" begins and ends, but it seems like a couple of holiday movies may air over Thanksgiving weekend and then when December begins, random movies air here and there, increasing in volume and numbers for the week of Christmas. As you probably know, most of their movies are very old -- which some people love and some people can't deal with. They usually incorporate one or two "recent old movies" into their line-up to lure in a younger demographic. This year, TCM has acquired one of my favorites, The Holiday (with Cameron Diaz, Jude Law and Kate Winslet), as their recent oldie. I have no clue when it will air on TCM, but they've got it so it will be on at some point in December.

I just got back from a trip to NYC and Ohio and am catching up on the thread. I wanted to comment on the TV Holiday news before I go any further. Thanks for posting the Hallmark link. I am so glad that Farewell Mr. Kringle will be on! I need to record and save that one since it is not on DVD. I have bookmarked the link, so I can go back later and take an even closer look. I can't believe how soon it starts! I'm so excited!!! I need to look a bit more into the other channels, but Hallmark's Countdown to Christmas is my favorite.

 

[Sherry E]

I just got back from a trip to NYC and Ohio and am catching up on the thread. I wanted to comment on the TV Holiday news before I go any further. Thanks for posting the Hallmark link. I am so glad that Farewell Mr. Kringle will be on! I need to record and save that one since it is not on DVD. I have bookmarked the link, so I can go back later and take an even closer look. I can't believe how soon it starts! I'm so excited!!! I need to look a bit more into the other channels, but Hallmark's Countdown to Christmas is my favorite.

Tracy --

Welcome back!

I can't wait for 10/31, when the movies begin!!!!

The actual Hallmark Channel website seems to only go as far as Saturday, November 8th in the schedule. The Countdown Until Christmas website (which is not affiliated with Hallmark in any way, but keeps a log of all of the holiday movies from any channel) has access to a more extended schedule in advance (they probably get it from Hallmark's own press department), so they will sometimes post a week or more of programming beyond what Hallmark puts on its website! Of course, Hallmark can change the schedule mid-way through -- they have done it before.

I am constantly baffled and mystified as to why certain Hallmark movies have never come out on DVD and others have come out. Farewell, Mr. Kringle is from 2007 or 2008, and it's never been available in DVD form. So far, Northpole is already available for DVD pre-order even though it hasn't even debuted yet!!!! And, as far as I can tell, Let it Snow and Snow Bride are not coming out on DVD this year. No Naughty or Nice, A Bride for Christmas or Matchmaker Santa either. No Finding Christmas or Window Wonderland. Lifetime is much better about putting out its Christmas movies on DVD, as is ABC Family.

For the record, I looked at ABC Family's schedule this year and I think I only saw one brand new movie, and very few reruns of their older movies (such as The Mistle-Tones or Snowglobe). However, ABC Family shows quite a few of the old Rankin-Bass specials that I love, so I tune in! And they will also be showing Toy Story That Time Forgot after it debuts on ABC.

The synopses that I have seen for some of the new Lifetime holiday movies looked rather uninteresting, but Lifetime has some good older Christmas movies from previous years, so I tune in for those!

The Hallmark Channel's Christmas movies are my favorites because we are guaranteed to get 12 news ones (and usually 13 new ones, as is the case this year) every year, and because their dozens and dozens of movies run for the longest period of time. So, basically, I can turn on the TV at almost any point over a 2-month period and find a Christmas movie -- older or newer -- on that channel.

Channels like UP and ION have movies that are so similar in tone and plot to Hallmark's (and the actors are largely the same) that if they were to air them on Hallmark you'd never know the difference.

For example, read this synopsis for a movie called Christmas Tree Farm, starring Lacey Chabert, that will debut on UP this year:

http://www.countdownuntilchristmas.com/christmas-movies-a-to-z/christmas-tree-farm-2014/

Doesn't it sound as though it could easily be a Hallmark movie (and Lacey Chabert has done a few Hallmark movies, one of which is a new one in the Countdown this year)? It almost sounds like the plot to Fir Crazy!

To be honest, I would have recorded all of the new movies on every channel last year if there hadn't been scheduling conflicts! I tried to catch as many of the older and new movies as I could, across all the channels (but mostly Hallmark), but I couldn't keep up with them because there were so many! I mean, even the Hallmark Movies & Mysteries is debuting a couple of new Christmas movies this year, one of which looks very cute. There's not enough time in the day for all of those movies, and yet it's wonderful that so many TV networks are making new Christmas movies every year!

 

[purplecrush]

My elf name is Rozie

I LOVE this thread! It's great to look over while waiting for our trip!!!

Just looked over the Christmas movies that are coming out. Im excited for movies, but I wish that ABC family would play some of the older ones. "3 Days" is my most favorite Christmas movie ever, and I've never seen it on DVD. I did manage to find " Christmas in Boston"!

 

[Luisa]

All I've got for this week is a couple of the Billys. Somewhere I have some from 2005 that are bound to have some long gone stuff, I suspect they are still on film though packed away for (very) safe keeping!

Just those two, unless you count........the snow car facing the other way!!!

 

[Sherry E]

Luisa -- The Billys are gone, so they certainly count for the Theme Week!

Amanda -- I agree -- the Court of Angels was such a nice, quiet spot in the park, and so pretty.

​

My elf name is Rozie

I LOVE this thread! It's great to look over while waiting for our trip!!!

Just looked over the Christmas movies that are coming out. Im excited for movies, but I wish that ABC family would play some of the older ones. "3 Days" is my most favorite Christmas movie ever, and I've never seen it on DVD. I did manage to find " Christmas in Boston"!

purplecrush --

It's fun to pass the time in this thread with random holiday fun as we wait for any kind of substantial news or info about this upcoming DLR holiday season (and the news is minimal in that area)!

You know, I don't think I've ever seen Christmas in Boston! However, I can see that at least a couple of the people in its cast have made the rounds in assorted Hallmark movies, Lifetime movies and probably UP or Ion movies as well (all of the same actors make the rounds among those channels' movies!), so I'm sure I would like it! There are so many movies across all the channels that I think I have missed, especially many of the older ones (meaning "made before 2010")!

I think there may be two "3 Days" movies! One is a fairly recent one, from the last year or two, and one is several years older. Which one is the one you like?

I wish that ABC Family would repeat some of their original holiday movies (not theatrical releases, but the movies made for ABC Family) a bit more often. I don't see too many airings of The Mistle-Tones on the schedule this year, nor of Snowglobe -- and both of those were really cute. And there is only one brand new movie, from what I could see at a quick glance. However, again, they show the Rankin-Bass specials that I love, so I tune in. For just straight doses of fluffy, lightweight, predictable Christmas movies (usually comedy-holiday-romances) I go to the other channels.

 

[Misskitty3]

Hojo Anaheim posted several photos of the current holiday/Christmas merchandise on their FB page today....lots of neat things!

 

[ARIELvsURSULA]

Hi all! My elf name is Jazzi. I like it, seems pretty elf-y! Im getting excited, our park days are almost posted on Disneys website. That's when I can go full militia and start planning what park we'll be in what day and what attractions we need to hit.

Speaking of rides, I know this has been asked a million times but what rides are going to be absolute no go's for my husband with motion sickness? We learned taking Bonine and keeping ginger pills on hand lets him do most mild rides but roller coasters and big drops out of the question.

We haven't been since 2011 so Im completely unfamiliar with all the Cars Land rides. Are any of them spinning rides, or big dips and turns? For reference he can do pirates no problem, but I think because its not a very steep drop and it's really only the one and then it's smooth the rest of the time. Anything with multiple drops or lots of twists is no good.

What about Roger Rabbit? My daughter loves that one, but Im having trouble remembering if it spins throughout the entire ride or just a few at interval points. I know its the kind that has the wheel to make it spin more, which we would obviously just not use. He can ride Buzz Astroblasters and MIB in Universal Orlando, so if its that type of short and sweet spinning I think it'll be ok.

Also wondering about Indiana Jones.. I remember it was a bit of a jerky ride, but I wonder if the backwards part would bother him? Can anyone tell me about that part more? Im having trouble remembering details.

We're going to watch some POV ride videos later but I wanted input from you lovely folks anyhow, sometimes it hard to tell from the videos if it would be too much! Any input especially from anyone who gets vertigo/motion sickness would be appreciated, not limited to these rides I asked about. These are just the ones that stood out to me as potential issues.

 

[dolphingirl47]

Hi all! My elf name is Jazzi. I like it, seems pretty elf-y! Im getting excited, our park days are almost posted on Disneys website. That's when I can go full militia and start planning what park we'll be in what day and what attractions we need to hit.

Speaking of rides, I know this has been asked a million times but what rides are going to be absolute no go's for my husband with motion sickness? We learned taking Bonine and keeping ginger pills on hand lets him do most mild rides but roller coasters and big drops out of the question.

We haven't been since 2011 so Im completely unfamiliar with all the Cars Land rides. Are any of them spinning rides, or big dips and turns? For reference he can do pirates no problem, but I think because its not a very steep drop and it's really only the one and then it's smooth the rest of the time. Anything with multiple drops or lots of twists is no good.

What about Roger Rabbit? My daughter loves that one, but Im having trouble remembering if it spins throughout the entire ride or just a few at interval points. I know its the kind that has the wheel to make it spin more, which we would obviously just not use. He can ride Buzz Astroblasters and MIB in Universal Orlando, so if its that type of short and sweet spinning I think it'll be ok.

Also wondering about Indiana Jones.. I remember it was a bit of a jerky ride, but I wonder if the backwards part would bother him? Can anyone tell me about that part more? Im having trouble remembering details.

We're going to watch some POV ride videos later but I wanted input from you lovely folks anyhow, sometimes it hard to tell from the videos if it would be too much! Any input especially from anyone who gets vertigo/motion sickness would be appreciated, not limited to these rides I asked about. These are just the ones that stood out to me as potential issues.

I suffer from motion sickness. I won't do the big thrill rides like California' Screamin and Tower of Terror. The only rides were I get motion sickness are the Tea Cups, Goofy's Flying School and Silly Symphony Swings. I also have issues with Toy Story Midway Mania if I do it more than once in a row. I have never tried Mater's Junkyard Jamboree, but I have had issues with a similar ride at Disneyland Paris. I am absolutely fine with Radiator Springs Racers and Luigi's Flying Tires though.

Corinna

 

[ARIELvsURSULA]

I suffer from motion sickness. I won't do the big thrill rides like California' Screamin and Tower of Terror. The only rides were I get motion sickness are the Tea Cups, Goofy's Flying School and Silly Symphony Swings. I also have issues with Toy Story Midway Mania if I do it more than once in a row. I have never tried Mater's Junkyard Jamboree, but I have had issues with a similar ride at Disneyland Paris. I am absolutely fine with Radiator Springs Racers and Luigi's Flying Tires though.

Corinna

Thank you for your input Corinna! Those are most the ones he's dead against, California Screamin', ToT, Soarin and Goofys Flying School. He actually did to ToT during our trip to Disneyworld in 2012.. with Bonine and Ginger pills up the yinyang lol. He said NEVER AGAIN after hah poor guy. But he was glad he got to ride it once and experience the actual ride part.. he'd taken the "chicken exit" a few times before just to see the inside.


On a side note, any people in Oregon wanna become Disney friends IRL? Im sure all my non Disney obsessed friends would appreciate me having an outlet to someone who actually knows what Im talking about lol.

 

[dolphingirl47]

Thank you for your input Corinna! Those are most the ones he's dead against, California Screamin', ToT, Soarin and Goofys Flying School. He actually did to ToT during our trip to Disneyworld in 2012.. with Bonine and Ginger pills up the yinyang lol. He said NEVER AGAIN after hah poor guy. But he was glad he got to ride it once and experience the actual ride part.. he'd taken the "chicken exit" a few times before just to see the inside.

Soarin I am absolutely fine with and I once spent all day going through the single rider line, do the ride and walk straight back to the single rider line. Soarin is really gentle.

Corinna

 

[sgrap]

Hi all! My elf name is Jazzi. I like it, seems pretty elf-y! Im getting excited, our park days are almost posted on Disneys website. That's when I can go full militia and start planning what park we'll be in what day and what attractions we need to hit.

Speaking of rides, I know this has been asked a million times but what rides are going to be absolute no go's for my husband with motion sickness? We learned taking Bonine and keeping ginger pills on hand lets him do most mild rides but roller coasters and big drops out of the question.

We haven't been since 2011 so Im completely unfamiliar with all the Cars Land rides. Are any of them spinning rides, or big dips and turns? For reference he can do pirates no problem, but I think because its not a very steep drop and it's really only the one and then it's smooth the rest of the time. Anything with multiple drops or lots of twists is no good.

What about Roger Rabbit? My daughter loves that one, but Im having trouble remembering if it spins throughout the entire ride or just a few at interval points. I know its the kind that has the wheel to make it spin more, which we would obviously just not use. He can ride Buzz Astroblasters and MIB in Universal Orlando, so if its that type of short and sweet spinning I think it'll be ok.

Also wondering about Indiana Jones.. I remember it was a bit of a jerky ride, but I wonder if the backwards part would bother him? Can anyone tell me about that part more? Im having trouble remembering details.

We're going to watch some POV ride videos later but I wanted input from you lovely folks anyhow, sometimes it hard to tell from the videos if it would be too much! Any input especially from anyone who gets vertigo/motion sickness would be appreciated, not limited to these rides I asked about. These are just the ones that stood out to me as potential issues.

I have back problems and terrible motion sickness. I don't do many rides because of my back anyway, but the 1 time I did Soarin' it made me feel terrible. I tried looking at the side of the screen like they say, but it didn't help (or was too late). Perhaps if he takes the meds ahead of time, it would be fine. It is such a cool, gentle ride. I might try it again this trip if I take meds beforehand.

I watched RSR on YouTube the othernight, and the video made me nauseous!

Definitely don't do Mickey's Fun Wheel in the swinging gondola. It turned my do-every-ride-multiple-times daughter into a green girl with a puke bag. Thankfully she rebounds quickly--she can do screamin' and TSMM over and over, but no more Mickey's Puke Wheel!

 

[OHBelle]

Tracy --

Welcome back!

I can't wait for 10/31, when the movies begin!!!!

The actual Hallmark Channel website seems to only go as far as Saturday, November 8th in the schedule. The Countdown Until Christmas website (which is not affiliated with Hallmark in any way, but keeps a log of all of the holiday movies from any channel) has access to a more extended schedule in advance (they probably get it from Hallmark's own press department), so they will sometimes post a week or more of programming beyond what Hallmark puts on its website! Of course, Hallmark can change the schedule mid-way through -- they have done it before.

I am constantly baffled and mystified as to why certain Hallmark movies have never come out on DVD and others have come out. Farewell, Mr. Kringle is from 2007 or 2008, and it's never been available in DVD form. So far, Northpole is already available for DVD pre-order even though it hasn't even debuted yet!!!! And, as far as I can tell, Let it Snow and Snow Bride are not coming out on DVD this year. No Naughty or Nice, A Bride for Christmas or Matchmaker Santa either. No Finding Christmas or Window Wonderland. Lifetime is much better about putting out its Christmas movies on DVD, as is ABC Family.

For the record, I looked at ABC Family's schedule this year and I think I only saw one brand new movie, and very few reruns of their older movies (such as The Mistle-Tones or Snowglobe). However, ABC Family shows quite a few of the old Rankin-Bass specials that I love, so I tune in! And they will also be showing Toy Story That Time Forgot after it debuts on ABC.

The synopses that I have seen for some of the new Lifetime holiday movies looked rather uninteresting, but Lifetime has some good older Christmas movies from previous years, so I tune in for those!

The Hallmark Channel's Christmas movies are my favorites because we are guaranteed to get 12 news ones (and usually 13 new ones, as is the case this year) every year, and because their dozens and dozens of movies run for the longest period of time. So, basically, I can turn on the TV at almost any point over a 2-month period and find a Christmas movie -- older or newer -- on that channel.

Channels like UP and ION have movies that are so similar in tone and plot to Hallmark's (and the actors are largely the same) that if they were to air them on Hallmark you'd never know the difference.

For example, read this synopsis for a movie called Christmas Tree Farm, starring Lacey Chabert, that will debut on UP this year:

http://www.countdownuntilchristmas.com/christmas-movies-a-to-z/christmas-tree-farm-2014/

Doesn't it sound as though it could easily be a Hallmark movie (and Lacey Chabert has done a few Hallmark movies, one of which is a new one in the Countdown this year)? It almost sounds like the plot to Fir Crazy!

To be honest, I would have recorded all of the new movies on every channel last year if there hadn't been scheduling conflicts! I tried to catch as many of the older and new movies as I could, across all the channels (but mostly Hallmark), but I couldn't keep up with them because there were so many! I mean, even the Hallmark Movies & Mysteries is debuting a couple of new Christmas movies this year, one of which looks very cute. There's not enough time in the day for all of those movies, and yet it's wonderful that so many TV networks are making new Christmas movies every year!

Thanks Sherry. I am glad to be back home! Vacations are great, but I am always glad to be back home in my own bed and with my dog, Daisy!

I don't get the Hallmark Movies and Mysteries channel. That may be a good thing because like you I do not have enough hours in the day for ALL the Christmas movies! Plus my husband isn't as interested in watching Christmas movies as I am.

I will have to check out UP and ION a little more closely. I have not really ever looked at their programming and have probably missed some good movies! Any recommendations?
Lifetime has always been hit or miss for me. ABC Family doesn't always seem as "Christmas" as I would like.

My work days will be far more entertaining after 10/31!





I just caught up with the thread after being gone 10 days.

GREAT PICTURES EVERYONE!!! I can't wait to contribute some of my own next year!

So many pictures of things I will never see. I loved the candy striped CALIFORNIA letters.

The discussion regarding the Holiday Tour has made me want to book it. I have a few days before I am in the 30 day window, but I am leaning towards booking it. By any chance is there a discount if you are Disney Visa cardholder?

My Elf name is Tinzelle!

 

[pudinhd]

We are back in town after an Adventures by Disney Backstage Magic trip... Our first trip to Disneyland this year since we took a break from our annual passes. Gotta love Disneyland at Halloween time!

 

[Phoenixrising]

I've got a question for those who go in early Nov, what are the crowds leading up to Veterans day like??? I'm contemplating turning my solo trip to DL in 2017 into a family trip, depending on how much the trip to WDW costs. I'll know that answer by the fall of 2016, as we would headed to WDW in Jan/17 for 8 days. I can book the WDW closer to the departure date, as we wouldn't want any TS reservations, and the flights tend to be the same no matter when I book (bad, but coming from the west coast it tends to be expected), just the price get's cheaper. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Have a great day!

Tinselita (Trish)

 

[petals]

Aw I'm so sad Duffy won't be there. I'm hoping he's going to be kept for the Christmas Parade at least

 

[tksbaskets]

I just caught up with the thread after being gone 10 days.

GREAT PICTURES EVERYONE!!! I can't wait to contribute some of my own next year!

So many pictures of things I will never see. I loved the candy striped CALIFORNIA letters.

The discussion regarding the Holiday Tour has made me want to book it. I have a few days before I am in the 30 day window, but I am leaning towards booking it. By any chance is there a discount if you are Disney Visa cardholder?

My Elf name is Tinzelle!

Hi Tinzelle,
We got the discount on the tour using our Disney Visa.

Twirlina

 

[OHBelle]

Hi Tinzelle,
We got the discount on the tour using our Disney Visa.

Twirlina

Twirlina!

I appreciate the information!

Tinzelle!

 

[JadeDarkstar]

Twirlina is also my name lol we must be long lost sisters

 

[tksbaskets]

Twirlina is also my name lol we must be long lost sisters

My sister from another Elf mother!

 

[Sherry E]

So far, I am the only Sugarplum Elf I have encountered, though I am sure there are may of us out there. I think that Orbitron is the only Gooseberry Elf so far.

It looks like Jungle Cruise (a.k.a. Jingle Cruise) is scheduled to open as of 11/14/14 -- pending any further changes to the calendar -- so I suppose that Disney wanted to be sure to have it ready for when the Holiday tour begins (since it will most likely be included on the tour again).

And again I wonder...why did DLR even bother saying that the holiday season is beginning on 11/13, if some things are beginning on 11/7 and other things are beginning on 11/14 (or even after 11/14, IF the ice rink doesn't go up until after the marathon)? Is there anything that is actually opening on 11/13? Why didn't they just say "Holidays at Disneyland Resort Begin on November 14th"?? Very odd.

​

Anyway, stay tuned for the last "regular" Theme Week, beginning tomorrow morning! After this next theme ends in one week, we will jump right into the warp speed round of mini-daily themes, and then we will finish it all up with the final theme for the year.

I keep going over all of the photos I want to include in my intro post to the theme, and I have too many! I can't decide which ones to use! I have been saving all of the photo links for this theme in a Word document, and it's already 57 pages long!!!! -- just for this ONE theme! (I always have to have a lot of back-up photos ready to post just in case no one else posts anything and we hit a lag.)

In any event, it will be a doozy of a Theme Week, that's for sure! I think that many of our newcomers to the thread will enjoy tomorrow's new theme!

​