Disneyland at Christmas/Holiday Season Superthread #5

[Kauai4life]

Mahalo Stefndoug.

 

[Angrose]

I only have pictures from the Jingle Jangle Jamboree for this week's theme. Boy, we are sure going to miss that area! The character interaction was fantastic (especially great for not paying for a character meal!). I really hope they can figure some way to get some of that back, even if it's in another area of the park.

 

[JadeDarkstar]

I am still wishing praying they do it one more year I want to go to it.

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Angrose, such a cute picture of your son and Mickey

I would love that JadeDarkstar!

 

[planningjollyholiday]

I find myself already missing the jingle jangle jamboree area. What an amazing place! I wonder where all the characters in their cute Christmas outfits will be this year? After looking at everyone's pictures one thing i now remember that i wanted to do last year but didn't end up having time for is decorating sugar cookies, they all look yummy!

 

[Astylla]

any one have luck booking a later tour and getting ptn?
Also what day would we maybe hear about candle light dinners or something if they have them?

I would not hold your breath about PTN - the Holiday tour is specific and the seating is the Holiday Parade itself. It wouldn't be fair to others to change it to a different parade.

I don't think they've had the Candelight dinner packages since around 2011 so I wouldn't expect that to change but keep an eye on the Disney Parks Blog just in case.

 

[Tyggress]

Had to share . . . just checked on Costco rental cars and found one $70 less than what I had already reserved for our trip! Love that it lets you cancel without penalty. So . . . for anyone renting a vehicle, keep on checking the rates. Costco always has had the best prices of all the sites I've checked.

I ALWAYS rent cars using Costco. I can often get a full weekend rental (Friday - Monday) for only $50.00!!

 

[jeanico2000]

The castle lighting, as some of you predicted, has now been removed from the schedule (unless I'm missing something!) https://disneyland.disney.go.com/ca/calendar/?month=201511

 

[Sherry E]

The castle lighting, as some of you predicted, has now been removed from the schedule (unless I'm missing something!) https://disneyland.disney.go.com/ca/calendar/?month=201511

Erin at the Parks Blog said somewhere in her comments that the Winter Castle was not returning this year. So when the lighting appeared on the DLR website I assumed that it was just info that had been held in the DLR system from last year and would eventually change. Then again I figured they could add in some extra lighting and just skip the snow on the turrets. There may not be an actual lighting ceremony, or there may be (sometimes it has been missing from the DLR website even when it was happening) -- it will depend on if any extra lights are added in.

So, we'll see what happens.

 

[Kenshin21]

I tried looking for this answer but couldn't find it, is F! Running nightly in December? I know with Star Wars land coming and the closure of a couple attractions I'm trying to fit F! in this holiday. Thanks

 

[Sherry E]

It’s Monday -- and it’s time for the eleventh week of the 5th Annual Theme Week Countdown to begin!!

……Only 25 Days Until the

Holiday Season Begins at the Disneyland Resort!!!!

​

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 3 more themes to explore over the next 3 weeks: Two main weekly themes every Monday from today, October 19, 2015, through October 26, 2015, and a final “Holiday Cornucopia/These Are a Few of My Favorite Things” theme on Monday, November 2, 2015 (there will be more details about what the “Cornucopia” can include when we get closer to that date!).


Last year I began the Countdown about 3 weeks earlier than I started it this year. I am ending it before the Holidays at DLR officially commence (which will be Friday, November 13th, 2015, although certain things will likely soft open or soft launch on the weekend before Veterans Day). 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. This year there are many questions revolving around what will or will not be back for the holidays with the current focus on the Diamond (60th) Anniversary of Disneyland, and all eyes will be on any news or reports coming in from the parks.


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 pictures and attract visitors to their Trip Reports, photo libraries, etc.


Last week, we enjoyed the holidays with a rustic, critter-ific flair in Frontierland, Critter Country and Grizzly Peak. Prior to that we explored the more whimsical side of Disneyland Resort’s holiday season, showcased in the contrasting styles of A Bug’s Land, Cars Land and Mickey’s Toontown. We have journeyed down the mystical, musical alleys of New Orleans Square and enjoyed Christmas with a Mardi Gras twist. We also paid a visit to New Orleans Square’s most famous residence and met its temporary houseguest, Jack Skellington, as he attempted to put a bit of a “nightmarish” Halloween spin on the Yuletide season in Haunted Mansion Holiday. And we peeked in at the ‘other’ holiday season at Disneyland Resort, Halloween Time, which collides with the Holidays every year as pumpkins give way to Christmas trees. Earlier we caught a glimpse of the special holiday offerings at the three Hotels of the Disneyland Resort and in Downtown Disney. Prior to that we enjoyed the Yuletide season around the world as we sailed through It’s a Small World Holiday, strolled through Fantasyland and cruised through the jolliest of jungles on the Jingle Cruise. We have also 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. We have also explored: the seaside celebrations in Paradise Pier & Pacific Wharf; tempting Holiday Treats & Treasures (a.k.a. Food & Merchandise); different seasonal photo options with Holiday Characters, PhotoPass and Santa Claus; and beautiful Christmas Trees, Wreaths and Holiday Horticulture (Holiday Flowers and Plants) around Disneyland Resort.


So…what will be our eleventh theme of 2015? Let’s remember the holidays of yesterday, whether “yesterday” means 2014, or 1994, or 1989, or any other year! Let’s fondly recall the random trees, wreaths, events, merchandise, costumes, food, window displays and other aspects of the Disneyland Resort Christmas/Thanksgiving/New Year’s season that no longer exist. It may be tricky to find photos for this theme (which is the whole point!), but let’s take a stroll down memory lane and see what we can come up with!

In the Spotlight this Week......




HOLIDAYS GONE BY!!!
(a.k.a. Seasonal Things That Are Not There Anymore!)

​

If you have never paid close attention to the holiday decorations when you have visited DLR from early November to early January, or if you have never visited DLR for the season prior to 2014, you may not be aware of how DLR used to deck the halls! Although the current state of the holidays at Disneyland Resort is rewarding, many things have come and gone over the years, including decorations in both parks, at Downtown Disney and at the hotels, characters in certain holiday attire, merchandise, etc.

Do you remember the ice rink that used to reside at the old version of the Disneyland Hotel? Do you remember Candy Cane Lane? Did you visit the reindeer at Santa’s Reindeer Round-Up? Are you still lamenting the loss of the colorful Toontown tree? Do you remember the great ‘gingerbread cookie’-themed ornaments and knick-knacks from 7 or 8 years ago?

Or perhaps you are missing the more recent Court of Angels Christmas tree in New Orleans Square, and are unwilling to say goodbye to Duffy and his festive photo spot in California Adventure? Do you find yourself trying to accept the newer version of the Paradise Pier Hotel Christmas tree when you were used to the old one?

To give just a few additional examples of seasonal things that are gone and probably never coming back (aside from what I referenced in the above paragraphs), some of those would be:

The Honor Choir segment of Winter Dreams;

Any previous version of the gingerbread houses in Storytellers Café, Carthay Circle, White Water Snacks, Flo’s, etc.;

The first Downtown Disney ice rink in 2012;

Any holiday merchandise that has a specific year on it;

The Radiator Winter shop sign in Cars Land in 2012;

Santa’s Beach Blast or any of the old decorations in California Adventure, pre-billion dollar makeover; and

ANY old version of the gingerbread house/display on the table of the ballroom/dining room scene in Haunted Mansion Holiday!!


This year the Diamond Celebration/60th anniversary is taking center stage in Disneyland and certain decorations could be taking a back seat, which we won’t know until the holiday season begins. When the Celebration ends in 2016, those decorations may or may not return.

Sadly, also destined for Yesterland are the Jingle Jangle Jamboree and Big Thunder Ranch, which will be among the casualties when work begins on Disneyland’s new Star Wars-themed land in 2016. Since we just came out of a Theme Week in which the Jingle Jangle Jamboree was included, we will keep the focus on other long gone elements of Holidays Gone By. Next year, however, the Jamboree will be a prominent part of the Holidays Gone By theme week.


Here are some of my favorite things that have been part of Disneyland Resort holiday seasons past.

More recent departures on the holiday scene…



The gingerbread display in Flo’s, and the Radiator Winter sign from the Curios shop in Cars Land – 2012

The 2012 version of the Paradise Pier Hotel Christmas tree, before its “interesting” sea-themed makeover of 2013

Storytellers Café Gingerbread House of 2011

In 2011, Santa Duffy didn’t realize that his photo spot would be gone forever by 2014!

The old (and better) Toontown tree, circa 2010. Gone, but not forgotten.

We miss you, Golden Gate Bridge (photo from 2010)

Mickey with Santa hat statue at the entrance to the Disneyland Hotel

How many of you remember the old light strands (I call it a light canopy) that hung over New Orleans Square up until a few years ago? (Photos are from 2008)

We miss you too, candy cane-striped CALIFORNIA letters (photo from 2008)!

The Hollywood Pictures Backlot had a few adornments as well (photos taken in 2007 or 2008)

Now, let’s stroll back even further back through the years and see what has fallen along the way…



Disneyland Hotel Lobby/Tower Christmas Tree circa 2001

This wreath used to adorn lampposts around Toontown (this photo is from 2000)

Does anyone remember when It’s a Small World Holiday looked like this (photos were taken in December 2000)?

The characters at Goofy’s Kitchen used to dress in holiday attire as well (photos from 1993 and 1994)

Holiday photo spot (in a tent, in 1993) at the Disneyland Hotel

This wreath used to adorn all lampposts along Main Street and around the Hub (photo is from 1993)

See the interesting Christmas tree behind us, in front of the Castle? This was not the “Winter Castle” in the old days

Photo spot at the Disneyland Hotel, circa 1992

Candy Cane Lane at the Disneyland Hotel, circa 1992

​

I may or may not post more photos during the week.

Please feel free to post your photos of Disneyland Resort -- Holidays Gone By all this week, through Sunday, October 25th, 2015, 11:59 p.m., P.S.T.

Then, stay tuned for our twelfth theme on Monday, October 26th!! We just have a couple of themes coming up in the next few weeks, so get your photos ready!

A reminder – please follow my leads (in either the photos I post or in the text) as to what to post for the themes. Please stick to the designated themes and save any other photos that don’t fit for future theme weeks. Every possible Disneyland Resort holiday-related element will be covered in some theme or another, so nothing will be left out. However, since this is a game/contest – in which people are entering to win Disney gift cards based on their contributions – it’s important to not stray from the theme that is underway. Feel free to ask me if you are not sure if something counts or doesn’t count.

 

[Sherry E]

I tried looking for this answer but couldn't find it, is F! Running nightly in December? I know with Star Wars land coming and the closure of a couple attractions I'm trying to fit F! in this holiday. Thanks

F! runs nightly after a certain point in the the holiday season. It will probably run nightly over the days surrounding Thanksgiving weekend, then I think it reduces to a Fri-Sat-Sun schedule for the first week or two of December. Then, somewhere in mid-December I think the schedule increases, and eventually becomes nightly in the peak season weeks around Christmas and New Year's. At least, that is my recollection of what it was.

This schedule from December 2014 should give you an diea of the F! schedule - http://www.wdwinfo.com/disneyland/park-hours.cfm?month=12&year=2014.

 

[kylie71]

Sherry, I am not sure if we can use Big Thunder ranch and JJJ, this year?? Or are we sure its not coming back??

 

[petals]

2014 stuff that won't be there this year
Haunted Mansion gingerbread house:

Carsland Jumper:

The Elf popcorn bucket:

 

[jeanico2000]

Erin at the Parks Blog said somewhere in her comments that the Winter Castle was not returning this year. So when the lighting appeared on the DLR website I assumed that it was just info that had been held in the DLR system from last year and would eventually change. Then again I figured they could add in some extra lighting and just skip the snow on the turrets. There may not be an actual lighting ceremony, or there may be (sometimes it has been missing from the DLR website even when it was happening) -- it will depend on if any extra lights are added in.

So, we'll see what happens.

I guess I was hoping a little too hard that it would happen anyway! I so love the WDW castle at Christmas, and since this is going to be our first time seeing the DL castle at Christmas, I was crossing my fingers for the same kind of pixie dusted WOW factor! *sigh*

 

[JadeDarkstar]

Here are mine for the moment. You said seasonal past so maybe this one works too? I am frantically trying to find my candy cane ones and am bummed i'm afraid i may have lost them in the computer trouble I had.
May look at the old holiday threads see if they are there.

Also this one from last year

this one you can see the date.

 

[Orbitron]

This is my last entry. Next Monday we will be on our way to New York and afterwards to Walt Disney World. Have fun everyone and keep posting great pictures to the countdown. Bye bye!

 

[mlnbabies]

Entertainment Times Guide from December 5-11, 2014.

 

[ArchOwl]

I was poking around the calendar today and saw that they now list two PTN parades, one at 5:45pm and one at 10:45pm beginning 11/21 and going until 11/28. Up until then when PTN had two showings, one was at 8:45pm and 10:45pm. I wonder if they are trying to balance the crowds during the Thanksgiving holiday. There is a rumor going around that there might be two fireworks shows, one at 6:30pm and another at the usual time of 9:30pm. And the placement of the PTN parade does maybe lead you to believe that might be happening. It could be Disney trying to get people to leave earlier?

 

[JadeDarkstar]

That would be cool two firework shows each night two paint the nights. Yes please id like that. I bet some ppl would leave after the first fire work show because the young ones.