Disneyland at Christmas/Holiday Season Superthread #5

[millie0312]

Hoping for some advice from the pros here. We're here now and Thursday will be our last day in the park. We've never been for holiday time before. Does it "snow" for both the parades and fireworks? And where/ when should we plan to be for watching parade and fireworks? There's 2 parades, 1:30 and 4:15 pm; which would be the better bet in your opinion? Sorry, trying to fit in so much on the last day and my husband and DD 16 will only have so much patience left by then lol... if you had to choose between the parade and fireworks which would you choose? We are able to see the fireworks from our room at the DLH so not sure if I'll be able to persuade them to do both but sure gonna try!

Just my 2 cents but here's my take- we are not parade people but we do enjoy watching PTN and I like watching all the parades for the atmosphere. However, the fireworks are much for moving for my family- everyone loves the fireworks (how often do whole families agree). Anyway- we watched some of the WOC and fireworks from the onsite hotels and found the view really to not be magical. I think if you do some research on the parade route you would pretty easily find a few hidden gems on places that will require less of a wait for an ok spot, as well as the same less wait-ok spot for the fireworks. Maybe you could watch the parade from a walk up spot you can see from (maybe not the best view but no wait) and stake out a spot for the fw a little earlier with a dole whip or something while you wait? We personally found the Christmas parade cute not not amazing so if you have to choose one- I vote fireworks!

 

[deserrai]

Paint the Night dining packages are out! So, my question is, can I convert a Blue Bayou dinner reservation to a dining package?

 

[mom2rtk]

Paint the Night dining packages are out! So, my question is, can I convert a Blue Bayou dinner reservation to a dining package?

I just saw that but don't see a single time on the 18th. I know they will go fast, but can't imagine they would be that fast!

 

[deserrai]

I managed to book one on the 20th. I have a BB reservation on the 23rd and would prefer to use that one, but I will have to find out if it can be converted.

 

[hsmamato2]

Ah! PTN packages! Are these a good idea in crowded season? Like the Dessert party question.... is it a guaranteed place to watch the parade? I see aladdins oasis offered, any info on that ?

 

[mom2rtk]

We are there for the 18th and 19th. On those 2 nights I saw one 7:40 time available on the 19th. I didn't plan to do that, but booked it just in case. But that leads me to believe that there were other times and were just taken already, for both the 18th and 19th.

 

[mom2rtk]

Ah! PTN packages! Are these a good idea in crowded season? Like the Dessert party question.... is it a guaranteed place to watch the parade? I see aladdins oasis offered, any info on that ?

It's really a mixed bag. It really depends on how they set up the viewing, and I imagine we won't know until after the first showing. It started off last year with a place for diners roped off on Main Street. Then it was moved to the back of Town Square, facing the train station. From what I hear, it's pretty packed in there still.

Aladdin's Oasis got a viewing area over by Small World.

 

[mom2rtk]

Can't wait for the holiday season to start tomorrow!


IMG_5234 by mom2rtk, on Flickr

IMG_5244 by mom2rtk, on Flickr

IMG_6602 by mom2rtk, on Flickr

IMG_6510 by mom2rtk, on Flickr

Holidays at the Cozy Cone by mom2rtk, on Flickr

IMG_7609 by mom2rtk, on Flickr

 

[hsmamato2]

is it only available with Aladdins qs? I am trying to make decisions for a large family group, (who is cheap lol) so I am trying to figure out... to you DL experts if it were you,what would you choose? Dec 15-18-(I know,busy time) first time for most in the group(I've been once before)
I have booked Aladdins/PTN package for 9 on Friday the 16
WOC party on Saturday the 17th
Surfs up for breakfast on sunday (non park day)
My big ???? is this- I see there are 2 showings of both PTN and WOC on my nights, but the packages mean we'll be at the first showings. *which* of these packages is a more worthwhile 'push' for the whole family?
the DP is SO $$$...and I feel so responsible for everyones enjoyment,whether I choose to keep these or not.....
But there's no real point in the PTN package if we can just watch 2nd showing by IASW anyway later on with not much difference....

 

[ncarrier]

Does it "snow" for both the parades and fireworks? And where/ when should we plan to be for watching parade and fireworks? There's 2 parades, 1:30 and 4:15 pm; which would be the better bet in your opinion? Sorry, trying to fit in so much on the last day and my husband and DD 16 will only have so much patience left by then lol... if you had to choose between the parade and fireworks which would you choose? We are able to see the

Thanks so much for your input! I'm thinking that if we need to invest a lot of waiting time, they will probably choose the fireworks over the parade. How do we get a spot on Main Street? Is there a time where they let people start choosing spots on the road? Or do we just grab a curb spot until closer to the show? I think I can bribe my family into an hour of waiting with the appropriate treats lol but more than that is probably not going to happen....

 

[dalstitch45]

The Festival of Holidays food booths were open last night. There was some entertainment over at Pacific Wharf that looked like it could have been the Mariachi Divas. Took some pictures, and will try to post them later. We did get to see the preview of Moana. I can't wait to go see it now.

 

[eeyorefanuk]

Love the Christmas lights in cars land

Heard them rehearsing the Elena song etc last night. Sounds cute

So will the stalls be open today in the park

Haunted manchion is cute with pumpkins and Christmas

 

[SkRiderMom]

Touring Plans blog has posted a review of Festival of the Holidays, sounds great! Like I needed another reason to be excited about our trip.

 

[fsjking]

It looks like they aren't offering the PTN packages on the first weekend in December. Could that have to do with the CP changing things around or does that mean they are sold out already?

 

[hsmamato2]

I just read the blog..... where are the DCA concerts located? is there a times schedule?

 

[Miggee]

Paint the Night dining packages are out! So, my question is, can I convert a Blue Bayou dinner reservation to a dining package?

nothing left the week of thanksgiving for BB, only some for Aladin for PTN.

 

[cinder-ellah]

Paint the Night Aladdins dining packages :
Do you know what the time cut off is for the 2 parades ?
As in what time frame to book for the 1st parade ?
Times listed 12pm - 7pm

 

[ericopia]

This talk of PTN dining packages coming available just gave a bright spot to my day. Thanks, @deserrai!

I just called, and for the Aladdin's Oasis packages, I think the Cast Member said that the first parade had meal pick-ups from noon to 3:30, and the second parade was 4:30 to 7. (But don't quote me on that....)

(I loves me some Blue Bayou, but this trip we opted for lunch at Carthay Circle, the same day...)

 

[mom2rtk]

It looks like they aren't offering the PTN packages on the first weekend in December. Could that have to do with the CP changing things around or does that mean they are sold out already?

I'm guessing that's because they won't have room for the viewing area (assuming it's still in Town Square) with the Candlelight Processional stage all set up.

 

[Disney_Fanatic]

Can someone tell me how much are PTN packages at BB? TIA!!