Disneyland at Christmas/Holiday Season Superthread #4

[Sherry E]

The pins are so cute and the house is suppose to resemble that? Quite the task. I wonder if it'll be made of real gingerbread like the one at the GF in WDW? Isn't the GCH one supoose to sell hot chocolate?

Jenny --

My understanding of this whole hotel gingerbread house--keepsake pin connection is that the pins are "inspired by" the actual houses at the hotels (just as the pins for the hotels are WDW are inspired by those hotels' houses). And the Disneyland Hotel pin shows the gingerbread Castle -- which is what's in the lobby of the Fantasy Tower at the DLH. So I have to assume that the GCH pin represents what the house at the GCH is going to look like -- a mini-Grand Californian Hotel in giant gingerbread form.

Of course, the Parks Blog is cleverly leading people to think that both houses (at the DLH and GCH) are made of real gingerbread. We all know that the Castle at the DLH is as fake as the day is long. If it were made of real gingerbread it would be awesome!

However... I am holding out hope that the GCH gingerbread house will be made of real gingerbread, like the GF one at WDW.

Why do I think that it will be real when the Disneyland Hotel Castle is fake? Because the GCH house is not in the GCH lobby yet! That's why. If it were another fake masterpiece, I think it would already be up in the hotel. The fact that it is not at the GCH yet leads me to think that it is being crafted offsite and will be transported to the GCH.

Yes, the press release said that the GCH house would be tall enough to sell hot chocolate from its window.

I'm reading through this post slowly but surely and just have to say thank you for all the great info here. I am a WDW vet, but christmas of 2015 will be our first trip to DL (apart from my husband going a couple times as a kid). I am starting to plan, knowing we will need to be really on point, as it looks like we will have to go during a super peak time - the days between Christmas and New Years. Hoping to pick up a lot of little things from reading here and the DL board in general.

mrsbicewdw --

Welcome! I'm so glad you joined us.

Yes, indeed, the days between Christmas and New Year's are know for being quite busy, with one or both parks reaching capacity at certain points during the week. I think that it's a time when a lot of people are suddenly free from holiday obligations (Christmas at home with family is behind them), and are also still free from work and school -- and might have a little bit of extra Christmas gift cash on them to spare -- so they head to Disneyland.

Add to that the fact that the 60th anniversary of Disneyland, which is taking place in 2015, is a big question mark/wild card in terms of how it will affect crowds, entertainment, schedules, etc. We're not sure if there will be new holiday entertainment coming, or just new entertainment coming for the 60th, and we don't know in what way it will affect the holiday season in either park.

You will find that DLR during the holidays is quite different from WDW during the holidays -- mainly because of the size and scope of WDW. But there is a lot of holiday cheer packed into Disneyland Resort's parks and hotels -- and in Downtown Disney.

I think that some WDW vets will visit DLR during the holidays and think that there is no comparison to WDW's festivities -- and I wish we had some of the great stuff that WDW has! -- but others will come away from a DLR holiday trip, pleasantly surprised.

I don't know if you've ever seen Guy Fieri's special for the Food Network, called Guy's Disney Holiday -- all about Disneyland's holiday food highlights -- but it's worth watching. I saw that it is supposed to air a couple of times in December this year, which is amusing because the special was actually filmed way back in 2008! It did not debut on Food Network until 2009, but it has run on FN every year since then. I wonder if they are ever going to update some of the segments to reflect Cars Land or Buena Vista Street, or any of the newer additions to DLR.

 

[gmi3804]

I don't know if you've ever seen Guy Fieri's special for the Food Network, called Guy's Disney Holiday -- all about Disneyland's holiday food highlights -- but it's worth watching. I saw that it is supposed to air a couple of times in December this year, which is amusing because the special was actually filmed way back in 2008! It did not debut on Food Network until 2009, but it has run on FN every year since then. I wonder if they are ever going to update some of the segments to reflect Cars Land or Buena Vista Street, or any of the newer additions to DLR.

George, the Human Google, is back with a link:

Guy's Disney Holiday

 

[Sherry E]

George, the Human Google, is back with a link:

Guy's Disney Holiday

I love that -- the "Human Google"! Thank you!

As I was typing that bit about Guy Fieri's show above, in the back of my mind I wondered if it was available on YouTube, or if Food Network would have taken it down for some reason.

I was shocked to see that the special is on the Food Network schedule again this year, seeing that it was made back in 2008! Even though it is quite outdated at this point, and probably needs for a couple of the segments to be re-shot, it is worth watching because it's the only holiday special that is exclusively about Disneyland Resort (albeit, the edible side of Disneyland Resort). There was a holiday special that Samantha Brown did years ago, which was mainly focused on WDW, that had a small section devoted to DLR. Guy's special is all about DLR.

 

[Jenasweetemotion]

George, the Human Google, is back with a link:

Guy's Disney Holiday

I recorded this when it was first on and watch it every year before our trips.

It is odd they haven't done another one that is updated yet though.

 

[krispin41]

So I was doing a search on eBay for "Disneyland Holiday 2014" just to see what to expect in terms of ornaments and pins and things to look for when I visit and I saw an auction for this year's Holiday Tour Pin (with a starting bid of $68 and change -- ouch!), but it is VERY cute! So are a bunch of other pins and goodies I saw...must rethink which second bag I am going to take with me!

 

[Sherry E]

So I was doing a search on eBay for "Disneyland Holiday 2014" just to see what to expect in terms of ornaments and pins and things to look for when I visit and I saw an auction for this year's Holiday Tour Pin (with a starting bid of $68 and change -- ouch!), but it is VERY cute! So are a bunch of other pins and goodies I saw...must rethink which second bag I am going to take with me!

I just looked it up. Yes, it's cute... but not $68 kind of cute... not by itself, outside of the tour. There are many, much cuter pins at DLR that are also much cheaper -- although they don't mention the tour on them. That pin only becomes more interesting when it's included in the tour package.

I like the IASWH pin!

 

[mrsbicewdw]

Oh thanks Sherry and George! I have not seen that special that I remember, mainly because Guy annoys me. Lol. But I will still watch it! WDW Christmas definitely holds a special place in my heart, but I am really excited to see what DL holds. I have always wanted to "walk where Walt walked" so this is going to be a total geek-out trip for my Disney side! Add Christmas to that I'm sure I will love it all. We wanted to avoid that week of the season, but alas - my husband's schedule with work/school only gives us short breaks. We *might* still change dates if we can, only because I am concerned about the parks being at capacity. We are not totally sold on staying as a DL resort, but if we go those dates I might shell out the money just to ensure we can get in the gates. We will be there with a 5yo and 2yo so I need the flexibility of not stressing to be at the gates way early if the kids slow us down in the morning.

Edit to add: Are the weeks leading up to Christmas really as low crowd as the guidebooks claim? If that is the case I might really consider moving our dates up.

 

[Sherry E]

Oh thanks Sherry and George! I have not seen that special that I remember, mainly because Guy annoys me. Lol. But I will still watch it! WDW Christmas definitely holds a special place in my heart, but I am really excited to see what DL holds. I have always wanted to "walk where Walt walked" so this is going to be a total geek-out trip for my Disney side! Add Christmas to that I'm sure I will love it all. We wanted to avoid that week of the season, but alas - my husband's schedule with work/school only gives us short breaks. We *might* still change dates if we can, only because I am concerned about the parks being at capacity. We are not totally sold on staying as a DL resort, but if we go those dates I might shell out the money just to ensure we can get in the gates. We will be there with a 5yo and 2yo so I need the flexibility of not stressing to be at the gates way early if the kids slow us down in the morning.

Edit to add: Are the weeks leading up to Christmas really as low crowd as the guidebooks claim? If that is the case I might really consider moving our dates up.

mrsbicewdw --

No. The crowds during the weeks leading up to Christmas are not low (if anything, the early December crowds had increased last year), but they are probably lower than they are in the week between Christmas and New Year's. There really isn't a 'low crowd' time at Disneyland anymore. Even the times that are technically considered off-season for Disney -- such as October -- are quite busy.

I think that the window of time immediately after Thanksgiving weekend and before Christmas break begins (maybe the first couple of weeks of December) is pretty decent, but it will still be crowded to some extent. That's a good time to go because it's in between holiday breaks and yet the holiday season is in full swing at DLR, whereas if you were to go in, say, mid-November or early November you might miss out on some of the holiday festivities, decorations, etc.

 

[krispin41]

TK --

The Mickey stein is shown in this Parks Blog -- HERE.

It's cute, but... my only issue with it is that the demitasse dessert mug was done away with this year, and replaced with the stein. An actual ceramic mug -- which was a nice touch with the dessert -- was replaced with a plastic stein. The Halloween Time demitasse dessert mug was done away with as well.

Disneyland Today told me that the dessert would now be served in the stein... but that can't be right??

It might be, I remember purchasing a dessert at the Tomorrowland Terrace that was in an R2-D2 stein. It was a chocolate mousse type of dessert, and the stein resembled the R2-D2 popcorn bucket, only smaller and with a handle on the side.

I just looked it up. Yes, it's cute... but not $68 kind of cute... not by itself, outside of the tour. There are many, much cuter pins at DLR that are also much cheaper -- although they don't mention the tour on them. That pin only becomes more interesting when it's included in the tour package.

I like the IASWH pin!

I agree. I think someone is trying to recoup some of the money they paid for the tour (and if a whole family went on the tour, they may have several pins.) There were also some snowflake pins that "opened" that said Disneyland Hotel on them that had Stitch inside. I thought those were cute too.

And as an aside, my magic box arrived today with all my tickets and vouchers!! Getting so excited for my trip!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[tarheelalum]

Hello everybody. I've been reading through this thread to find out some info but its just too big!! I was wondering if anybody who has driven to Disney on Christmas day could give me their opinion on traffic. We will be driving up from San Diego at around 8 or 9 Christmas morning and I was wondering what type of traffic should we expect on the 5 and on Ball Rd going to the Mickey and friends deck? Since most people will be off work I kind of think traffic will be less than the regular morning rush traffic but we have never been to Disney on Christmas so I don't know what to expect. We will be staying in Anaheim on the 25/26/27th and I'd like to hear everybody's opinion also on the general crowd levels and hours over this three day period. Also, what hours do you expect DL/DCA to be open on Christmas Day? Thanks

 

[tksbaskets]

Oh thanks Sherry and George! I have not seen that special that I remember, mainly because Guy annoys me. Lol. But I will still watch it! WDW Christmas definitely holds a special place in my heart, but I am really excited to see what DL holds. I have always wanted to "walk where Walt walked" so this is going to be a total geek-out trip for my Disney side! Add Christmas to that I'm sure I will love it all. We wanted to avoid that week of the season, but alas - my husband's schedule with work/school only gives us short breaks. We *might* still change dates if we can, only because I am concerned about the parks being at capacity. We are not totally sold on staying as a DL resort, but if we go those dates I might shell out the money just to ensure we can get in the gates. We will be there with a 5yo and 2yo so I need the flexibility of not stressing to be at the gates way early if the kids slow us down in the morning.

Edit to add: Are the weeks leading up to Christmas really as low crowd as the guidebooks claim? If that is the case I might really consider moving our dates up.

My family are WDW vets who now love DL! We've visited both at the holidays and Sherry is correct that the size and scope of WDW's holiday celebration is much larger than DL. However there are some great differences. Notably the overlays for the holiday versions of IASW, Haunted Mansion (Which I now prefer over the original version), and the new Jingle Jungle Cruise.

For resort vs resort I personally prefer the smaller geographic layout of DL and DCA. No need to plan your day based on the bus system. You'll find both parks packed with fun and some attractions not found at WDW. The Indiana Jones ride is great (The same track and vehicles as Dinosaur at AK). Pirates is a longer ride than at WDW. Space mountain at DL is much smoother IMHO. WDW has it over DL in a couple of rides: TOT (more drop sequences and the elevator leaves the shaft at DHS) and Toy Story at DHS has a fast pass option. Some experiences are the same but for the queue experience like Soarin' over California which I love at either resort.


YES the crowds are large but you'll still have a blast. Having traveled 3 times right adjacent to Christmas I would say if you can swing it staying on property is worth it for the early entry into the parks. Even with the holiday crowds the MM allowed us to ride the big ticket attractions and then when the swarm of visitors entered at the regular park opening we'd enjoy attractions with more capacity.

You might enjoy going through Hydroguy's pinned threads comparing parks. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599I found them fun and informative. You'll find the links to Hydroguy's threads plus much more in the Newbie pinned thread here: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1072276

 

[Sherry E]

Finally, a Blog about the gingerbread house at the GCH, which I have been waiting on since we first heard about it two weeks ago!


It will be there on Thanksgiving! Yay!!!!!!!

"First Look at the New Gingerbread House at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa at Disneyland Resort" -- Disney Parks Blog; posted on November 21st, 2014 by Rachel Brent, Food & Beverage Marketing Communications Coordinator

​

I am anxious to hear from Orbitron and Corinna/dolphingirl47! I hope they check in with us soon!

Corinna, as some of you may remember, is experiencing her first Disneyland Resort holiday season this year (she is a WDW holiday vet), and she is currently on a trip that is broken up into 3 segments: Part 1 -- DLR; Part 2 -- Aulani; and Part 3 -- back to DLR! Not only is this her first DLR holiday season trip, but she is also going to be celebrating a birthday in the middle of this, and Thanksgiving too, of course.

Both Corinna and Orbitron will be doing the Disneyland Hotel feast on Thanksgiving, and I can't wait to get their reviews and see photos of that!

Orbitron was one of the very few participants who contributed photos to each one of our 22 themes during the Theme Week Countdown this year. He didn't miss a theme! His photos were wonderful and fun -- and I am excited to see the pictures from his current trip.

Remember, everyone, I am adding your reviews, recaps and reports to the Trip Reports section on page 1 of this thread -- where they will be carried over into each new Superthread (when we hit the page limit here) to help future holiday travelers -- so please report back here with your trip recaps (good or bad), Holiday Time Tour reviews, crowd reports, etc.!!

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Hello everybody. I've been reading through this thread to find out some info but its just too big!! I was wondering if anybody who has driven to Disney on Christmas day could give me their opinion on traffic. We will be driving up from San Diego at around 8 or 9 Christmas morning and I was wondering what type of traffic should we expect on the 5 and on Ball Rd going to the Mickey and friends deck? Since most people will be off work I kind of think traffic will be less than the regular morning rush traffic but we have never been to Disney on Christmas so I don't know what to expect. We will be staying in Anaheim on the 25/26/27th and I'd like to hear everybody's opinion also on the general crowd levels and hours over this three day period. Also, what hours do you expect DL/DCA to be open on Christmas Day? Thanks

tarheelalum --

You did the right thing by just jumping in and asking the question! I even have a section on page 1 titled "You Don't Have to Read the Whole Thread," but I think that people still feel that's what they're supposed to do! There is a Search feature for each thread, and if you ever want to find specific mentions of something, just type in a keyword or whatever you're looking for, such as "traffic," or "Christmas day," etc. I find that the Search Thread feature is often is more effective and specific than the Search feature for the whole board.

From all that I have established from reading various reports, Christmas Day may start off reasonably quiet in the parks -- not empty, but manageable. By mid-day on 12/25, or by the late afternoon, the crowds begin to really kick in, and then the next few days should be very crowded. The rumored Frozen invasion of Hollywood Land is supposed to begin on 12/20 (if the rumors are true), so that will impact crowds even further in that post-Christmas week.

If there is rain, or even a threat of rain, that will scare a lot of people away and the crowds will drop off considerably.

In this post, you will find Trip Reviews/Reports. Under the 2013 section, Bret/mvf-m11c's TR from post-Christmas/pre-New Year's is there, and in the 2012 section you will find reviews from JediMasterNerd and Mickey&JoshNut, who were at DLR over Christmas and beyond. All of those recaps/reports will give you an idea of crowds.

The hours will be as long as they can be in both parks. I think that there is a good chance of both parks being open for EMH every day between Christmas and New Year's, instead of just one park or the other. Here is what the hours looked like in December 2013.

As for traffic -- I've never traveled up from San Diego to DLR on Christmas Day, nor have I even traveled from where I am in L.A. to Disneyland on Christmas Day. But I can tell you that the streets around my area of town -- and I live in a pretty active, bustling area of the city -- are nearly empty for hours on 12/25. It's that way on New Year's Day too. So I am going to guess that your idea of the traffic being light is spot on -- a lot of folks will be at home, enjoying the day with their families.

 

[maleficent55]

wow!!! I'm way excited about this gingerbread house, can't wait to see it and smell it! So those pins will probably sell out at the signing right? The one on 12/6, I doubt we will leave the parks JUST for a pin...

 

[Sherry E]

wow!!! I'm way excited about this gingerbread house, can't wait to see it and smell it! So those pins will probably sell out at the signing right? The one on 12/6, I doubt we will leave the parks JUST for a pin...

maleficent55 --

The smell will be amazing! I can tell you that when the small gingerbread house is set up at Storytellers Café, and it's fresh, the aroma is awesome (if you like gingerbread). I can't even imagine the aroma when the giant house goes up in the lobby.

The smell at the Castle in the Disneyland Hotel lobby is fake and piped in from somewhere.

I'm guessing that the pins are going to be a mega, molten hot item that will sell out at warp speed -- because this is the first year of the GCH gingerbread house. Hopefully, the merchandise folks will realize that these pins will be hot and will order an ample supply to last beyond 12/6.

I love that the house is not only selling hot chocolate, but also:

Gingerbread shingles and other assorted holiday cookies

Holiday cookie-decorating kits

Gingerbread house kits

Cider

 

[DisneylandPlanner]

Yeah gingerbread house info, I HAVE BEEN WAITING!!! You are the best Sherry!
I will be buying shingles, kits, and hot cocoa!

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

Just walked through the Grand and the gingerbreadouse is up. It has a sign up saying it will be complete on Nov. 27th. I'll try to get a picture posted soon!

ETA: They are dping a Frozen sing along in DCA that will air as part of the Christmas Parade - we sang, so we'll see if we make the cut

 

[Sherry E]

Yeah gingerbread house info, I HAVE BEEN WAITING!!! You are the best Sherry!
I will be buying shingles, kits, and hot cocoa!

DisneylandPlanner --



The funny thing is that the December merchandise blog came out -- which talked about the pins inspired by the gingerbread houses at the DLH and the GCH -- 2 days prior to today's blog, almost as if the author of that Blog didn't realize that the GCH gingerbread house hadn't been publicly announced yet. It seemed to assume that we knew the GCH house was coming.

Of course, WE did know about it here in the Superthread, but many other people probably didn't know. (The place where I first spotted the mention of the GCH house was official and publicly accessible, but probably not a place where many people would think to look.)

I am imagining tons of activity (and probably nowhere to sit and relax) in the GCH lobby on 12/6, with the merchandise/pin event, RaverDay, pharmacists arriving to check in before their event begins on 12/7, and Candlelight Processional folks.

Just walked through the Grand and the gingerbreadouse is up. It has a sign up saying it will be complete on Nov. 27th. I'll try to get a picture posted soon!

ETA: They are dping a Frozen sing along in DCA that will air as part of the Christmas Parade - we sang, so we'll see if we make the cut

Jamie --

The Parks Blog just posted that the house would be open on 11/27, so that makes sense. I am glad it's up.

I'm confused. I thought the sing-along was supposed to be happening in the Muppets theater (and it will open on or around 12/20). Are the CMs just randomly going around and having people sing in DCA?

Is the smaller gingerbread house up in Storytellers Café?

 

[DisneylandPlanner]

DisneylandPlanner --
I am imagining tons of activity (and probably nowhere to sit and relax) in the GCH lobby on 12/6, with the merchandise/pin event, RaverDay, pharmacists arriving to check in before their event begins on 12/7, and Candlelight Processional folks.

We will be enjoying the lobby and all the action Saturday Dec 6th in the evening, even if we have to sit on the floor to drink our hot cocoa! I can not wait to see it!

 

[MikeRx]

DisneylandPlanner --




I am imagining tons of activity (and probably nowhere to sit and relax) in the GCH lobby on 12/6, with the merchandise/pin event, RaverDay, pharmacists arriving to check in before their event begins on 12/7, and Candlelight Processional folks.

We resemble those assumptions...My family will be checking in on the 5th before the pharmacy meeting (and hopefully missing the crush of humanity on the 6th) and checking out the festivities in the GCH lobby! We can't wait. The trip would be perfect if not for the meeting.. Maybe I can snag a pin, but our plans take us to a WOC dinner that evening and away from the GCH and DL madness that is the Candlelight Processional.

Mike

 

[revwog1974]

Have you all seen this? BuzzFeed posted it yesterday. It's a video of the tree installation at Disneyland.

http://youtu.be/tHGSGcnhdRM