Disneyland at Christmas/Holiday Season Superthread #5

[mom2rtk]

We don't stay onsite, so we don't have access to DCA early open, or we would have been there too I want to do a prepark opening adr this year too. and hopefully no ticket snafus and we will actually enter the park when we are supposed to (and maybe get some pics down main street this time).

I agree, we found the character attendants helpful when we wanted to see Eeyore.

I'm not sure why the restaurant was so empty that morning...possibly due to it being a rundisney weekend last year. It was Sat morning,so the 10K would have been that morning. maybe a lot of people were taking time to recover before entering the parks for the day.

That's a good question. I wonder if the restaurant is just like that early in the day? I'd love to hear from others. I could see the race having an impact.

Do you know if Plaza Inn is the only restaurant that does ADRs before park opening?

I get so confused about how DL handles these early ADRs. It seems some days they open 40 minutes before park open, others it's just 20. And some days you get in before they let crowds filter in on Main Street, other days not. I don't even think Photopass would be out like at WDW (because of the small numbers) so not sure even if it was empty if I could get our photo with me in it too.

 

[Angel Ariel]

That's a good question. I wonder if the restaurant is just like that early in the day? I'd love to hear from others. I could see the race having an impact.

Do you know if Plaza Inn is the only restaurant that does ADRs before park opening?

I get so confused about how DL handles these early ADRs. It seems some days they open 40 minutes before park open, others it's just 20. And some days you get in before they let crowds filter in on Main Street, other days not. I don't even think Photopass would be out like at WDW (because of the small numbers) so not sure even if it was empty if I could get our photo with me in it too.

It's the only one I noticed open, but I also was looking for it specifically. But the lands weren't open yet, just MS...so the only other restaurant that could have them, I think, would be Carnation Cafe.

We did not notice Photopass being out on MS as we walked in, so you're probably right there unfortunately.

I need to go write that letter about Photopass. I think I'll do that now before I forget

 

[mom2rtk]

It's the only one I noticed open, but I also was looking for it specifically. But the lands weren't open yet, just MS...so the only other restaurant that could have them, I think, would be Carnation Cafe.

We did not notice Photopass being out on MS as we walked in, so you're probably right there unfortunately.

I need to go write that letter about Photopass. I think I'll do that now before I forget

Thanks! I had forgotten about Carnation Café. That would be a good option too if we decided to stay offsite and do some early ADRs.

And yes, please go write that photopass letter. I wrote mine some time ago, but would love for others to do the same. There's no excuse for Photopass to cost us more than it would at WDW with twice the number of parks and double the length of ticket available!

 

[egritz]

Thanks for the response! Ooh, decisions, decisions. We were planning on one character meal.. Mickey's Surfs Up, because we really want to see Stitch. But if this is the only way to see Pooh... hmmm... well, hopefully someone chimes in with another way to see him or we might just have to miss out on Stitch (one character meal is already a stretch for our budget... especially since the oldest 2 are already considered adults).

If you have a Disney Visa card, Stitch is one of the rotating characters and the Exclusive Meet N Greet in DCA (over by Monster's Inc).

That's a good question. I wonder if the restaurant is just like that early in the day? I'd love to hear from others. I could see the race having an impact.

Do you know if Plaza Inn is the only restaurant that does ADRs before park opening?

For DL, yes, it is the only character breakfast in the park...If i'm remembering correctly the only other place open for breakfast that accepts ADR's is Carnation Cafe. For DCA, I thought Ariel's Grotto (princess breakfast) was available during EE...thought I saw people going inside when we were there last month (we had EE into DCA and walked by AG on our way to Toy Story, around 8:40 am with 9 am park opening).

 

[Mamato4boys]

If you have a Disney Visa card, Stitch is one of the rotating characters and the Exclusive Meet N Greet in DCA (over by Monster's Inc).

Oh, really? Thanks! We used to have a Disney Visa, but they closed our account for inactivity. I wonder if it would be worth getting our account re-opened. I had kind of been considering it anyway for the Star Wars M&G..assuming it is still happening in November.

 

[TraderCharlie]

We are considering a trip during the first week of January to hopefully catch the last few days of Holiday Time. Are the crowds during that week more normal or is it still that crazy crowds that come during the week between Christmas and New Years? We can handle "crowded" we would just prefer to not go when it is "CROWDED!"

It is usually quite crowded that week. I know that many CA schools(at least around here) are on holiday break through the first week of Jan this year. That will make it busier down there.
It is still fun, but you have to plan your day accordingly!

 

[jevs]

We'll be at Disneyland for New Years Eve, do they do anything special on the night? Like dining packages, special fireworks, shows etc?

Cheers.

 

[mom2rtk]

Does anyone remember if there were general public discounts at any of the onsite hotels in mid November last year? I know they aren't very common, but there were some dates in late October I seem to recall.

 

[mom2rtk]

Still trying to find out if there were any general public room discounts last November. ??????

Also, does anyone have a park schedule from last November? I'd like to make some educated guesses about park hours this November.

 

[kylie71]

Hi Sherry, I am joining the thread. I will be returning to DLR for Thanksgiving this year........... I hope the decorations return to normal this year, as they we're very disappointing last year!
Thanks for being my friend on FB!

--Lori

 

[Angel Ariel]

Does anyone remember if there were general public discounts at any of the onsite hotels in mid November last year? I know they aren't very common, but there were some dates in late October I seem to recall.

I do think I did get some offers last year...they may not have come til september-ish, though? I didn't pay them much attention b/c even with them, the onsite hotels were too expensive. Someday.....

ETA: I'm also not sure if they were general public discounts or PINs...sorry!

 

[mom2rtk]

I do think I did get some offers last year...they may not have come til september-ish, though? I didn't pay them much attention b/c even with them, the onsite hotels were too expensive. Someday.....

ETA: I'm also not sure if they were general public discounts or PINs...sorry!

Thanks for the reply. I know there were some dates that were included in a general public offer in October. I just don't recall if they went into November or not. Of course, now that I think about it, I bet they didn't because of the opening of the Star Wars stuff during what should have been a slower time. I'll just have to cross my fingers on this year!

 

[krinicone]

We are going Nov 1-5. Wondering if it's a small world will be down for the holiday overlay during that time?? Also curious when jingle cruise will start up and if that ride closes at all for its Christmas transformation?

 

[MommyLove]

We are considering a trip during the first week of January to hopefully catch the last few days of Holiday Time. Are the crowds during that week more normal or is it still that crazy crowds that come during the week between Christmas and New Years? We can handle "crowded" we would just prefer to not go when it is "CROWDED!"

We were there for the first week of January this year and our first day in the parks was the 2nd. Yeah, it's busy, but definitely less than the week between Christmas and New Year's, which as I understand it, is pretty much the busiest week of the year. The great thing was that the hours were long (8am-midnight at DL), shows every night, and everything was open. We did do New Year's 2014 and it was crazy crowded, but crazy fun! We loved it. We're going to do New Year's Eve this year too. Have a room at the Park Vue booked. We're excited!

 

[Diszona]

It is usually quite crowded that week. I know that many CA schools(at least around here) are on holiday break through the first week of Jan this year. That will make it busier down there.
It is still fun, but you have to plan your day accordingly!

Thanks! I appreciate the advice!

 

[Diszona]

We were there for the first week of January this year and our first day in the parks was the 2nd. Yeah, it's busy, but definitely less than the week between Christmas and New Year's, which as I understand it, is pretty much the busiest week of the year. The great thing was that the hours were long (8am-midnight at DL), shows every night, and everything was open. We did do New Year's 2014 and it was crazy crowded, but crazy fun! We loved it. We're going to do New Year's Eve this year too. Have a room at the Park Vue booked. We're excited!

Thanks! Have you been during October or Spring Beak? How would you compare it to those times? We usually go during those times which are supposed to be higher crowds but we didn't think it was too bad.

 

[MommyLove]

Thanks! Have you been during October or Spring Beak? How would you compare it to those times? We usually go during those times which are supposed to be higher crowds but we didn't think it was too bad.

The last time we were there for Halloween was 2013 (and did a MNSSHP and it was awesome) and the last time we did Spring Break was 2014 (you can see all the dates of our visits in my signature). I would say for us that it felt about the same or maybe a little less crowded during that first week of January. Especially as the days got further from New Year's Day.

Edited to add... Spring Break definitely felt more crowded now that I think about it.

 

[buttercup3]

We'll be going the week after Thanksgiving but most likely M-Th. Can someone tell me if they do fireworks every night during the holidays or just on the weekend?

 

[azdisneylover]

Has anyone seen or heard from Sherry, the creator of the holiday threads? I hope she is okay.

 

[flyingdumbo127]

I sure hope Sherry is okay also! I believe she is on Facebook. I am such a techy dinosaur that I don't use FB or any social media so lol don't ask me for sure!

Sherry, hope you are not melted from all of our heat. Last few days out here have been cooler. Hope you (and everyone on here) are having a great and Blessed weekend.