Disneyland at Christmas/Holiday Season Superthread #5

[Davidg83]

I got to see A Christmas Fantasy parade today and there have been a few changes. Chip and Dale are no longer driving in their car. It's now taken over by Jessie and a Green Army Man. The toy shop float has also lost all of the characters and have now been replaced by the Green Army Men.





And in a total non Christmas related note, Hyperspace Mountain has been doing soft openings yesterday and today. Make sure to swing by that corner and see if they're open if you're in the park this weekend (the wait time board won't be turned on). The line moves pretty fast since there's no fastpass holding up the standby line... And the ride is amazing!

 

[3TinksAndAnEeyore]

We did the WOC lunch Friday. I didn't specify which show ahead of time. They asked when we checked in - we wanted Winter Dreams. Our waiter told us we could exchange them at the check in desk before we left if we changed our minds. I overheard several tables being told the same thing. Hope this helps.

How did you like the WOC lunch choices? We have a reservation for next Tuesday, but I keep debating whether to change it to a regular rather than dining package reservation. I suspect both kids will want pasta and that looks more prevalent in their regular menu.

 

[Stefndoug]

Just left Disneyland yesterday after 3 days of fun. Got to see each park during the start of the Christmas season. I love the snow for the Olaf exhibit that opened on Friday. Playing in the snow in California...how fun LOL. We did the Holiday Tour in Disneyland and love the pin they gave us. The Christmas parade was fun. I did think the park would be more decorated for Christmas, but it was stuff fun to see what they had.

 

[KalamityJane]

Just left Disneyland yesterday after 3 days of fun. Got to see each park during the start of the Christmas season. I love the snow for the Olaf exhibit that opened on Friday. Playing in the snow in California...how fun LOL. We did the Holiday Tour in Disneyland and love the pin they gave us. The Christmas parade was fun. I did think the park would be more decorated for Christmas, but it was stuff fun to see what they had.

Did you feel like the Holiday Tour was worth it? I'm debating it for when we are there mostly for the parade seating. I have 3 kids 7, 4, and almost 3.

 

[SeaPic]

How did you like the WOC lunch choices? We have a reservation for next Tuesday, but I keep debating whether to change it to a regular rather than dining package reservation. I suspect both kids will want pasta and that looks more prevalent in their regular menu.

Honestly I wasn't impressed. Perhaps because I've heard how good it is. We have a 11 and 14 yo and they both ordered off the kids menu. DS, 11, liked the tacos which was surprising since he is usually a pasta or chicken finger kind of guy. Daughter did not like the noodle bowl. I had the short rib sandwich, meh, and DH had the salmon and enjoyed it but not enough for him. He ended up finishing everyone else's.

 

[3TinksAndAnEeyore]

Honestly I wasn't impressed. Perhaps because I've heard how good it is. We have a 11 and 14 yo and they both ordered off the kids menu. DS, 11, liked the tacos which was surprising since he is usually a pasta or chicken finger kind of guy. Daughter did not like the noodle bowl. I had the short rib sandwich, meh, and DH had the salmon and enjoyed it but not enough for him. He ended up finishing everyone else's.

Thanks, SeaPic. I am thinking I'm going to call and cancel this ADR. We can just pick up regular FPs for WOC instead.

 

[Stefndoug]

Did you feel like the Holiday Tour was worth it? I'm debating it for when we are there mostly for the parade seating. I have 3 kids 7, 4, and almost 3.

If i had paid full price...probably not. The tour guide seemed confused and we walked through the earlier parade crowds and it was so hard to hear and she landed up putting us under a speaker at one point. She also would walk really fast and most of us couldn't keep up. But I love the pin and I love that we got VIP seating. We also had never done the Jingle Cruise or the Haunted house so it was nice to see that without waiting in line. The gingerbread man was very yummy (yes I ate him). Parade was nice to see, but I like Paint the Night parade way better

 

[rwhistler92]

If i had paid full price...probably not. The tour guide seemed confused and we walked through the earlier parade crowds and it was so hard to hear and she landed up putting us under a speaker at one point. She also would walk really fast and most of us couldn't keep up. But I love the pin and I love that we got VIP seating. We also had never done the Jingle Cruise or the Haunted house so it was nice to see that without waiting in line. The gingerbread man was very yummy (yes I ate him). Parade was nice to see, but I like Paint the Night parade way better

Did you get a mug?

 

[smokeyblue]

For those of you who may have seen WOC Winter dreams, any chance they incorporated the honor choir again? I know it's probably a no, but just curious.

 

[iKristin]

They removed Duffy from the parade

 

[CailinFig]

Is Santa in the park already at Critter Country or Elias & Co?

 

[Stefndoug]

Did you get a mug?

Yup, a Snow White Christmas mug with a red lid

 

[lvdis]

Disney Food Blog announcement about the candy canes was posted yesterday - http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2015/11/15/2015-disneyland-candy-cane-dates-announced/

 

[Maddysdaddy]

I know that I'm going to sound like the Grinch, but having to hear xmas music on November 9 was both ridiculous and annoying. I can put up with non-stop Hark the Herald Angels starting the day after Thanksgiving, but not three weeks before. Granted, it's not like DL is as bad as my local Costco (who began putting out xmas stuff at the end of August), but come on......

 

[Angel Ariel]

.

Saw Christmas Fantasy Parade today. AMAZING!
View attachment 135260

I totally teared up watching it for the first time on Saturday!

 

[sgrap]

Has anyone done both WOC's yet that can report how it works? Do they make everyone clear out and then come back in again?

 

[DallasToDis]

We also had never done the Jingle Cruise or the Haunted house so it was nice to see that without waiting in line.

Did they take you on Small World as well? Thanks!

 

[KalamityJane]

If i had paid full price...probably not. The tour guide seemed confused and we walked through the earlier parade crowds and it was so hard to hear and she landed up putting us under a speaker at one point. She also would walk really fast and most of us couldn't keep up. But I love the pin and I love that we got VIP seating. We also had never done the Jingle Cruise or the Haunted house so it was nice to see that without waiting in line. The gingerbread man was very yummy (yes I ate him). Parade was nice to see, but I like Paint the Night parade way better

We have APs, so it would be 20% off - still worth it? It would be $272 for the 4 of us (not sure if they tax tours or not, that is the pretax number).

 

[Jkpark]

Do they have the You Are Here mugs as ornaments, like they do in WDW?

They had both on Saturday. I didn't get either as I have a few Starbucks ornaments and with me trying to keep a real tree alive in Arizona - I go for less heavy ornaments. I did FINALLY go inside and buy the You are Here mug at Disneyland and am so happy I finally own that. I was hoping for the Christmas You are Here mug but they didn't have it yet. WDW must have gotten theirs a few days earlier as I saw pictures online and really wanted one.

Also - I had mentioned I would report back on the peppermint ice cream brownie at Big Thunder Ranch - well - sorry. I ate so much chicken and ribs I could not think about dessert. That didn't stop us from getting a peppermint ice cream cone on the way out of the park that night and it was HEAVENLY!

We really had the best trip. Family did the 5K and our first 10K for DD10 and myself. Saw Aladdin one last time. Front row seats for the Christmas parade without too much waiting. Lucked out with timing Friday night and rode Hyperspace Mountain - amazing! We finally rode S.S. Columbia and that was cool to check out. Last meal at Big Thunder Ranch. Finally had breakfast at Flo's and that tamale breakfast was SOOOO good. It was an amazing trip!

 

[poison ivy]

VIP tour is guided through both parks. You get reserved seats to shows and parades. You get fastpass or exit access to most rides. You can ride the Lily Belle and steer the ships. The guide can get you ressies for restaurants. The guide knows trivia and Hidden Mickeys. It sounds perfect right? Until you hear the price!! But, who knows when we will get back, so we decided to make this our most magical trip ever. Just google Disneyland VIP Tour and the info will be there. Have a wonderful time on your trip!

ok. I just found the price. yikes!! It is listed as hourly so how does that work? Say for example you only want to pay for a few hours and time it to see both the Christmas parade and paint the night. Would you have to book it to encompass both parade times and will you be granted vip seating for both?