Peppermint Pandemonium news: The onslaught of Christmas TV commercials has begun! Almost every ad now has either decorations in the background of the scene, a familiar holiday tune or some sort of reference to the holidays!
So, that means it's time to snack on some... Nabisco's Limited Edition Triscuit Cranberry & Sage Crackers, Lance's Seasonal Favorites Cookie Sandwiches or Pepperidge Farm's Limited Edition Raspberry Linzer Cookies!!!!
Holiday Activities Outside of Disneyland News: I received my yearly postcard from The Grove (which is next door to the Farmers Market in Los Angeles), advising me of the upcoming fireworks and Christmas tree lighting (as well as a TV show taping) on the night of Sunday, November 16th. They send out these reminders (in the guise of "invitations") to neighbors every year, to warn us that the fireworks will be happening so that no one panics.
If you happen to be making an extended holiday visit to Southern California and will have a day or two away from Disneyland to explore, I recommend visiting The Grove and Farmers Market -- especially at night, when the snow falls and the giant Christmas tree is fully aglow. It's a really festive atmosphere. (The Grove is also where you will find the popular American Girl store/café!)
This weather in SoCal is kooky! I swear, the temperatures were very Summer-ish every single day (for months) up until 10/31 -- and then, magically and conveniently, it's like it turned into Fall on Halloween night.
This turn of meteorological events was wonderful for me because I am ready for some Fall-like weather. I opened the windows and let the cooler air in. Suddenly, out of nowhere, the early mornings turned into that "Brrrrrrr" weather I have talked about -- that crisp chill in the air that is enough to make me (a known fan of brisk temperatures) actually close a window or two because it's cold!
The colder air apparently settled in my apartment, though, as my hands are now blocks of ice... although it is warm outside! It is supposed to be in the upper 80s this week, and it feels like a frozen tundra indoors because of the brief cool air that trickled in a few days ago. I am actually contemplating wearing a sweater -- an occasion that I usually reserve for December and January! I love bundling up to get warm on chilly days/nights -- I just didn't expect to have to do it for another month or two!
It's certainly too chilly to eat any of the Peppermint Wonderland ice cream that is resting in the freezer -- that's for sure!
Speaking of Peppermint Wonderland ice cream, in just 9 or 10 days we will know if Disneyland Resort is carrying the Dreyer's Peppermint ice cream this year -- and, if so, where it is being sold. Last year's fiasco involved the ice cream (which is still called "Peppermint Stick" at Disneyland) not being available when and where it should have been at DLR due to mysterious "tub size issues." When it emerged from the frozen shadows, it appeared at places we didn't expect... such as the Blue Bayou? And the BBQ? It briefly appeared at Ghirardelli too, but it disappeared in an instant when word of this sweet treat's existence hit the streets.
And when the elusive Peppermint ice cream finally appeared at one of its old DLR haunts -- Gibson Girl on Main Street -- it was only available for Christmas week, and not for the whole season!!!
It was true Peppermint Pandemonium last year, indeed... which is why I am curious to see what happens when the Holidays officially begin next week!
Will Dreyer's finally send the "right-sized tub" to Disneyland's ice cream shops, so that many visitors can bask in pepperminty goodness? Will the ice cream finally take on the "Wonderland" name, instead of retaining the old "Stick" label? Will the ice cream pop up at an unexpected location, where no one would ever think to look? These confectionery conundrums and more will be answered on November 13th!!!!!
Sherry,
Thanks so much for all you do on this awesome thread! We are leaving in 25 days and I have been reading along for many many months. All the good info and great pictures have made the waiting tolerable. We get to Disney on Nov. 30 and will be enjoying the dessert seating for Fatasmic, then when we get back to the room I have arranged with the Dream Makers to decorate with the Mickey Favorite things Christmas package and a custom enbroidered robe for my wife. Then Monday it is the holiday tour mostly to get the great seating for the parade! then 3 more days of soaking in all the wonderful Disney Christmas time magic!!!!! You have made the planning so much easier and I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate everything you have done and all the time you have invested in the great info in this thread!!!!!!
-Lane
Lane --
Thank you for the very kind, thoughtful words -- I really appreciate it
I'm so glad to know that this thread has been helpful and informative. Thank you for following along and sticking with us for all these months (way before anyone really wanted to be thinking about the holiday season, I'm sure)!
With this thread I do run the risk of scaring people away if they are afraid to see photos or learn too much info about the Holidays at DLR before their trips (for fear of spoiling the surprise),
but I think that more good comes from putting all of the info out there than bad, as there are so many things to see and do. Chances are, these holiday trips will be trips of a lifetime for many people -- they may never get back to DLR for the holidays -- and there are a lot of little things, hidden gems, unexpected treasures, etc., that people could easily miss if they don't know to look for them. For example, a lot of people may not know to look for the small gingerbread house/village in White Water Snacks at the GCH without this thread. Maybe people wouldn't care about a small gingerbread house, but someone out there could be a gingerbread house fan and want to see it! You just never know.
So I'd rather put as much info and as many photos as possible out there so that no one misses anything good on their trips, than to leave out a lot of details, and end up learning that a lot of people missed out on a lot of things.
Your trip sounds as though it will be a great one, right down to the embroidered robe (a gift which I'm sure your wife will love)! I think the tour and the Fantasmic dessert seating will be enhancements to an already fantastic trip. Be sure to come back here and let us know how it went after you return.
Oh, Sherry, what a great start to the holiday season. I have loved, loved, loved the photos! Thank you for all of your hard work. I know it is a labor of love for you. It is truly a gift to all of us!
lucysmom --
Thank you,
lucysmom -- and thank you for joining in for another year of fun in this thread!
We've had some outstanding contributions to thread this year, both in terms of information being given and photos contributed! We have some amazing participants, who help out with info and answering questions.
Yes, this thread -- and the Halloween thread too, but especially this one -- is a true labor of love, but it's rewarding and fun, and I think it succeeds in its mission (or my mission!). First of all, to tackle this thread one has to be able to get into 'holiday mode' (mentally) all year long. I have to be able to channel my holiday spirit in any month of the year so that I can excitedly work on the thread, adding to the posts on page 1, leading the Theme Week Countdown or simply explaining about DLR's holiday season highlights to newcomers. Getting into and staying in the holiday spirit year-round can be difficult for many people to do, but I have to do it because people are planning trips all year, and they need to know what to expect. It helps that I am a holiday fanatic and have no problem with getting into Christmas mode in the middle of summer!
So I just read "on that other site" that Muppet Vision is down for a 7 week refurb...
I love Frozen as much as any 6 year old girl, but the whole Frozen/Hollywoodland does not sound like a good idea to me at all! Especially because it's rumored to open the weekend we'll be at DLR, and it could really put a wrinkle into our trip.
Speechphi --
I saw that as well. The closure of the theater and the mysterious auditions that Disney held a couple of weeks ago (looking for musicians with a preferable knowledge of the Scandinavian folk-style music for an indoor storytelling environment) seem to be dead giveaways that MiceAge was on to something with their warnings of a
Frozen mini-land coming in December.
Not only that, but things have been abnormally quiet as far as news or holiday season-related blogs from Disney, like they are gearing up for a big announcement.
The date that MiceAge pegged for the start of the
Frozen stuff is 12/20. That's a Saturday. I am going to guess that, IF that date is correct and if this whole rumor is correct, there will probably be some sort of sneak preview of it on Friday, 12/19, or maybe a media day on Thursday, 12/18.
The crowds will be crazy in an already crazy week leading up to Christmas. And then after Christmas - yikes! As I have said before, some AP holders will be blocked, but not all of them. The AP holders with Premium APs are not going to wait until after the holiday season ends to go and see the
Frozen things.
I just think that
Frozen in Hollywood Land is a silly idea for Disneyland Resort. It may work better at WDW, but I think it will be out of place in DCA. Hollywood Land is not the place for
Frozen.
We shall soon see if there are any Christmas decorations up in Hollywood Land next week, as there were last year. If not, I think that is a sure sign that there are other plans for Hollywood Land this year.
Thank you so much for this amazing thread! I'm so excited about getting to see everything in person!
Can someone please explain to me how and when to see snow on Main St.? I'm sure the kids would love this.
Thanks!
ExcitedMama --
Thank you for continuing to follow along with us here!
In this information from our parent site, wdwinfo.com, there is a good explanation of how the snow is presented, and where you will find it -
http://www.wdwinfo.com/disneyland/Events/holiday-season.htm
Last year, the Believe in Holiday Magic fireworks took place anywhere from 7:30 to 9:30, depending on the night of the week, but I don't see the specific snowfall times in my Times Guide from last year. The snow will fall before and after the fireworks, however.
Bret/mvf-m11c and
figment_jii might be able to offer some further insight into where, when and how to catch the snowfall!
A big THANKS to Sherry for all her hard work, wish I could have posted more. I will not be around here in the future, hope everyone has a Happy Thanksgiving and a Joyous Christmas and New Year. Enjoy your families.
Jack
Thank you for the kind words,
Jack!
And thank you for following along and for sharing the beautiful photos you have been able to share!
I hope that's not true -- I hope you will be back in the future. DISboards wouldn't be the same without you!
link doesn't work... Do you know what page/post # it was. thank you
qckrun --
Try this one --
HERE.
Gabby is bringing home some Christmas Blend for her barista mark-out this week! Can't wait! 
