Disneyland at Christmas/Holiday Season Superthread #5

[Vintage Mouseketeer]

A few weeks back I receieved a mailer from Walmart promoting their grocery department with several Holiday treats and recipe ideas. They had a photo of a peppermint ice cream float made with Swiss Miss hot chocolate....

The advertising worked on this gal, I was at their store the next day buying their cute snow men mugs, their candy canes to use for stirs, whipped cream and everthing else in the mailer.

I am such an easy target. LOL

 

[Sherry E]

Here is a blog about the Churro Ice Cream Sandwich:

"Dining in Disneyland Review: CHURRO ICE CREAM SANDWICH with Bonus Oreo Churro!" -- Disney Food Blog; posted on Dec 16th, 2014 by Heather.

​

It's not too late to book a nice Christmas Day meal!!



Catal in Downtown Disney offers this Christmas menu:

http://www.patinagroup.com/Christmas/catal/


And Catal also offers a New Year's Eve menu:

http://www.patinagroup.com/restaurants/52/menus/Catal-New-Years-Eve-Menu.pdf


Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen offers this Christmas menu (available from 12/24 - 12/28):

http://www.rbjazzkitchen.com/menus_display.php?id=314

​

A few weeks back I receieved a mailer from Walmart promoting their grocery department with several Holiday treats and recipe ideas. They had a photo of a peppermint ice cream float made with Swiss Miss hot chocolate....

The advertising worked on this gal, I was at their store the next day buying their cute snow men mugs, their candy canes to use for stirs, whipped cream and everthing else in the mailer.

I am such an easy target. LOL

I don't have a Walmart anywhere near me, or else I might have been there too! I wonder if they got the gingerbread Oreos in stock this year?

 

[dolphingirl47]

We just got back from WDW a few days ago for our Anniversary/Christmas getaway and I have to say that both my wife and I think that DL wins hands down for Christmas. There just seems to be more decorations and holiday cheer at DL for us. We missed the two overlays and the Christmas decorations hanging over mainstreet USA. We also missed the Christmas parade at DL. I know that many think its "tired" and old but we love the song and the parade there.

For me it is kind of the other way round. We spent some time at Walt Disney World during the holiday season in 2012 and 2013 and I got home and felt like I had Christmas, which is just as well as I almost always have to work over Christmas. This time I came back having had a fabulous vacation, but wondering when Christmas is going to be happening.

I loved Disneyland during the holiday season and I really hope that I can experience it again in the not too distant future, but I am very excited about going back to Walt Disney World next December.

Although Disneyland has some real headliners with the overlays, the candy canes and the street entertainment, Walt Disney World seems to have spread the Christmas cheer more equally. Even though I knew that there was not much Christmas cheer to be found at Fantasyland and Tomorrowland, it still really bothered me. I was also surprised at how little there was at Downtown Disney. Really the only thing Christmassy apart from banners advertising the holiday season was the area around the ice skating rink. I did really miss the Candlelight processional and I think this may have had a lot to do with me not really feeling the Christmas spirit. It may also have something to do with the fact that the Christmas loop being played at Walt Disney World contains many of the carols that I grew up with and therefore speaks to me more on an emotional level as it evokes images of the Christmasses of my childhood. The Christmas loop at Disneyland is very different and does not do the same to me.

Corinna

 

[mlnbabies]

Here is a link to my trip report.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3360224

We loved our trip to DL. My dh was so overwhelmed by how small the castle was. I expected it so I wasn't too bothered by it. The lights at Small World were amazing as was the projection show. I wasn't expecting the show and was thrilled when it came on while I was taking pictures.

We promised my 15 year old in May that we would go to WDW for her 16th birthday so we are off the WDW next Dec.

I hope to go back to DL at some point. The weather is cooler in CA vs. FL so that was good.

 

[disneyobsessed808]

The Disney Parks Blog is apparently in a New Year's state of mind today:


"Special Dishes, Where to Find Bubbly for New Year’s Eve at Disneyland Resort" -- Disney Parks Blog; posted on December 16th, 2014 by Pam Brandon, Disney Parks Food Writer

​

This blog has a sentence that begins with the phrase "Round out the beef ideas." This just sounds like such a wonderful phrase lol. Sounds like the start to a great meat inspired poem

 

[pepe3penelope]

I will post a miniTR another time. I was initially afraid of all the rain, but it's sunny right now with a slight cool breeze. The low crowds are so nice.

I'm eating my pumpkin beignets now!!!

 

[crystal1313]

Have fun pepe3penelope!

 

[pepe3penelope]

Have fun pepe3penelope!

Awww, thanks Crystal! I've done a lot already! Just got in line for TOT & it says 20 minutes. Trying to sneak it in before my Carthay Curcle Restaurant lunch @11:30!!! I'll just be 5 minutes late!

 

[Bigrob37]

Hi all,

Been following this thread and the Halloween thread for quite a while now, really good information out there. Did have a quick question, we are going to be in the DLR for NYE and saw that WOC has a midnight showing. Does anyone know if FPs are needed for this show? I tried to post a comment to ask this question on the Disney Blog thread when they announced NYE at DCA, but it wouldnt let me.

Thanks

 

[tksbaskets]

I will post a miniTR another time. I was initially afraid of all the rain, but it's sunny right now with a slight cool breeze. The low crowds are so nice.

I'm eating my pumpkin beignets now!!!

Yum! Have a blast!

Hi all,

Been following this thread and the Halloween thread for quite a while now, really good information out there. Did have a quick question, we are going to be in the DLR for NYE and saw that WOC has a midnight showing. Does anyone know if FPs are needed for this show? I tried to post a comment to ask this question on the Disney Blog thread when they announced NYE at DCA, but it wouldnt let me.

Thanks

When we went to the midnight show a couple of years ago we did get FPs for it. Then it was so foggy we couldn't even see the show or the fireworks Fun to be there anyway.

NYE 2012 ringing in 2013

We did get nice party hats though My son in the middle looks thrilled that on our day of travel I made him go out and see the MN show doesn't he?

 

[Sherry E]

Yum! Have a blast!



When we went to the midnight show a couple of years ago we did get FPs for it. Then it was so foggy we couldn't even see the show or the fireworks Fun to be there anyway.

NYE 2012 ringing in 2013

We did get nice party hats though My son in the middle looks thrilled that on our day of travel I made him go out and see the MN show doesn't he?

Hi all,

Been following this thread and the Halloween thread for quite a while now, really good information out there. Did have a quick question, we are going to be in the DLR for NYE and saw that WOC has a midnight showing. Does anyone know if FPs are needed for this show? I tried to post a comment to ask this question on the Disney Blog thread when they announced NYE at DCA, but it wouldnt let me.

Thanks

Bigrob37 --

Edited to add: I just saw TK's response above, after I replied, which I copied over to this page so it won't get lost in the shuffle! Thanks, TK!

Good question. You know, I don't know the answer for sure (not having been to DLR on NYE in years), but I would have to imagine that getting a FP would be important, as the novelty of seeing Winter Dreams just past midnight will probably draw lots of people to that area. I don't know if getting a FP will be required, necessarily, but I think it would probably be a good thing to have if that's the show you want to see.

I will look around at some of last year's New Year's Eve information and see if I can find out anything about the WoC midnight show. If I find it, I will post here for you.

In the meantime, until I can dig up something, maybe someone else here will have an idea of how it will work.

​

So... seeing as we are now only one week away from Christmas Eve, and 4 days from the start of Winter rotfl2:I vividly remember lamenting the first day of Summer and here we are at Winter's doorstep!), let's talk a little Christmas for a moment!


I ask this every year, but answers can change over time, and new people join the thread along the way. What is everyone's favorite Christmas song?

• Do you prefer the more spiritual songs, such as: O Holy Night; Angels We Have Heard on High; Away in a Manger; O Come, All Ye Faithful; Silent Night; Joy to the World; Hark! The Herald Angels Sing; The First Noel; We Three Kings, etc.?

• Do you prefer the more classic 'standard' types of songs, such as: White Christmas; Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas; I'll be Home for Christmas; The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire), etc.?

• Do you prefer novelty songs, such as: Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer; I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas; All I Want for Christmas is My Two Front Teeth, etc.?

• Do you prefer the bouncy, upbeat songs such as: Jingle Bells, Winter Wonderland; We Wish You A Merry Christmas; Deck the Halls; Sleigh Ride; Let it Snow; Jingle Bell Rock, etc.?

• Do you prefer childhood classics, such as: Santa Claus is Coming to Town; Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer; Frosty the Snowman; Little Drummer Boy, etc.?

• Do you prefer the more pop/rock-inspired songs, and/or anything that was released in the late '70s and beyond, such as: Simply Having a Wonderful Christmastime, Do They Know It's Christmas, Last Christmas or All I Want for Christmas Is You?

• And... which Christmas songs make you cringe in horror, and you wouldn't care if you never heard them again -- until the end of time? Does Santa Baby make your skin crawl? Would you rather be trapped in an elevator on the 90th floor of a building than have to listen to Rocking Around the Christmas Tree one more time?

​

I am a sucker for most Christmas music, of all kinds, but my favorite songs of the more spiritually-based group are:


O Holy Night (when sung by the right person who can hit all the dramatic notes, this song gives me goose bumps and brings me to tears);

The First Noel;

Silent Night (when sung properly, it can be very moving and poignant); and

What Child is This (beautiful melody).



Of the classic standard types of songs, my favorite is:


Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas



Of the bouncy, upbeat songs, my favorite is:


Winter Wonderland



Of the childhood classics, my favorite is:


Frosty the Snowman



And, of the pop/rock-ish songs, my favorites are:


Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) -- as performed by U2; and

All I Want for Christmas is You



Songs that I could do without hearing for the rest of my life:


Everything in the "novelty" category that I listed above; as well as

Simply Having a Wonderful Christmastime (by Paul McCartney) -- This is not catchy, it's not bouncy, it's not a beautiful melody, it is not fun -- just... blah.

​

 

[figment_jii]

I like a mixture of songs...I've bought most/many of the Carols for a Cure by BCEFA over the years and some of my most favorite holiday songs come from those CDs. Luckily, most Broadway performers can sing wonderfully, so there are very few songs that are awful. I hadn't heard of many of the songs before; some are just lesser known songs and others were written specifically for Carols for a Cure.

I like all types of Christmas music!

Spiritual song: Silent Night (if done well)
Classic 'standard' types of songs: I'll be Home for Christmas
Bouncy, upbeat songs: We Wish You A Merry Christmas
Childhood classics: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer or Frosty the Snowman
Pop/rock-inspired songs: River, A Winter's Tale, As Long As There's Christmas, Joy to the World (A Christmas Prayer)
Christmas songs make you cringe in horror, and you wouldn't care if you never heard them again: Santa Baby (this one makes my skin crawl!)

• Do you prefer novelty songs, such as: Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer; I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas; All I Want for Christmas is My Two Front Teeth, etc.?

"I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas"? I've never heard of that one! I have to go look it up on Youtube!

 

[pudinhd]

"I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas"? I've never heard of that one! I have to go look it up on Youtube!

That is a great song! I have it in the Christmas playlist on my iPod! Can't wait to hear (read) your thoughts!

Sherry - you are so great starting and continuing the conversations!!

I love all kinds of Christmas music, but I prefer upbeat! I have Angels Among Us and The Christmas Shoes on my playlist, but I skip them because I cry every time I hear them!

Somehow, I haven't seen any holiday movies so far this year... Just too crazy busy! I did watch A Charlie Brown Christmas. My husband doesn't care for it, so my singing and reciting along chased him from the room.

 

[lorijohnhill]

I can't pick a favorite! I love so many Christmas songs!

I could easily live without ever hearing Santa Baby again though.

One of my favorite Christmas movies is the Mistle-tones. I just watched it again the other night on Netflix.

 

[Sherry E]

This is probably not holiday season-related for the time being (until it ends up affecting the holiday season in 2015), but that good ol' Disney Auditions website (the same one where I learned about the musicians with a knowledge of Scandinavian folk music being sought for the indoor storytelling environment in DCA) is now looking for:


Male (and Female) Parade Performers.



The description says:

The Disneyland Resort is seeking male parade performers with strong dancing skills for an exciting and high-energy nighttime parade that winds its way through the heart of Disneyland® Park.

Role

Male Parade Performers: Looking for all heights, must have strong movement and dance skills.

You caught that, right? "Exciting and high-energy nighttime parade." And the auditions are being held in January -- which gives the performers enough time to train, rehearse and get ready for the new nighttime parade to debut in late Spring!

So I guess that part of the rumored 60th anniversary events is true, and we just have to wait for the announcement about it and the other events.

​

I like a mixture of songs...I've bought most/many of the Carols for a Cure by BCEFA over the years and some of my most favorite holiday songs come from those CDs. Luckily, most Broadway performers can sing wonderfully, so there are very few songs that are awful. I hadn't heard of many of the songs before; some are just lesser known songs and others were written specifically for Carols for a Cure.

I like all types of Christmas music!

Spiritual song: Silent Night (if done well)
Classic 'standard' types of songs: I'll be Home for Christmas
Bouncy, upbeat songs: We Wish You A Merry Christmas
Childhood classics: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer or Frosty the Snowman
Pop/rock-inspired songs: River, A Winter's Tale, As Long As There's Christmas, Joy to the World (A Christmas Prayer)
Christmas songs make you cringe in horror, and you wouldn't care if you never heard them again: Santa Baby (this one makes my skin crawl!)


"I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas"? I've never heard of that one! I have to go look it up on Youtube!

figment_jii -

I don't think I have heard any of the Carols for a Cure songs! You're right, though -- most Broadway singers can sing well, so many of them should be able to do a good job with the Christmas songs.

Yes, Silent Night has to be done well. Lots of people try to sing it, but if they don't have the right voice for it, or if there is no emotion behind it when they sing, it ruins the song. That's also an issue with O Holy Night -- if the right type of singer/voice doesn't sing it, then it loses its impact.

I don't think you've missed much by not hearing I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas, but who knows? You may listen to it and say, "This is the greatest Christmas song ever!" It is a novelty song, so it's supposed to be cute and funny, but it bothers me and I can do without ever hearing it again!

That is a great song! I have it in the Christmas playlist on my iPod! Can't wait to hear (read) your thoughts!

Sherry - you are so great starting and continuing the conversations!!

I love all kinds of Christmas music, but I prefer upbeat! I have Angels Among Us and The Christmas Shoes on my playlist, but I skip them because I cry every time I hear them!

Somehow, I haven't seen any holiday movies so far this year... Just too crazy busy! I did watch A Charlie Brown Christmas. My husband doesn't care for it, so my singing and reciting along chased him from the room.

pudinhd --

The songs that evoke emotions are the best ones! That's what a truly good song, or a good rendition of a song, should do -- it should move you in some way! You have the Hippopotamus song on your playlist, but you turn off the songs that make you cry?

I can't pick a favorite! I love so many Christmas songs!

I could easily live without ever hearing Santa Baby again though.

One of my favorite Christmas movies is the Mistle-tones. I just watched it again the other night on Netflix.

lorijohnhill --

I love so many Christmas songs too but, as you can see above, I broke them up into categories so I allowed myself to choose more than one!

I'll get into the movies tomorrow, but I have heard quite a few people say that Santa Baby (sung by anyone, at any time) is like nails on a chalkboard to them.

 

[krispin41]

I love all Christmas music. We listen to it at work, and customers ask me if I am sick of it, a lot of times I can't even hear it, because it's so loud between the people and the escalators.

My absolute favorite Christmas song is the Lil' Drummer Boy by Bing Crosby and David Bowie.

I also love the Dean Martin and Mariah Carey Christmas albums.

 

[Sherry E]

I love all Christmas music. We listen to it at work, and customers ask me if I am sick of it, a lot of times I can't even hear it, because it's so loud between the people and the escalators.

My absolute favorite Christmas song is the Lil' Drummer Boy by Bing Crosby and David Bowie.

I also love the Dean Martin and Mariah Carey Christmas albums.

Kristan --

The Dean Martin album is good!

Legend has it that David Bowie hated the idea of having to sing Little Drummer Boy, which was the original plan, and so he was allowed to sing his Peace on Earth segment of the song instead.

I have never listened to Mariah Carey's entire Christmas album, but I do love her All I Want for Christmas is You song.

I didn't watch it, but supposedly -- on the recent TV special featuring the lighting of the Rockefeller Center tree and various musical performances -- Mariah Carey hadn't planned to sing her song live. I think she was supposed to sing along with a track, or just lip sync the whole deal. She ended up having to sing her Christmas song live, unexpectedly, and apparently it didn't sound so good. I have to look it up on YouTube, to see what all the fuss was about. That Rock Center special also featured LeAnn Rimes singing I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas.

 

[pudinhd]

pudinhd --
The songs that evoke emotions are the best ones! That's what a truly good song, or a good rendition of a song, should do -- it should move you in some way! You have the Hippopotamus song on your playlist, but you turn off the songs that make you cry?

They are good, which is why I have them on my iPod. Crying, not so much fun!

I love the music from The Mistle-Tones, the song Snow from White Christmas, Tinseltown by Shedaisy, 2000 Miles by the Pretenders... I want to list my entire Christmas playlist!

Melekalikimaki by the Beach Boys makes me want to go to Hawaii for Christmas!

 

[pepe3penelope]

"O Holy Night" always makes me tear up! I love Wham's "Last Christmas" and Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas (Is You)." I REALLY dislike "Santa Baby" and cringe at Paul McCartney's song. Ironically, as I was driving home tonight from my Disneyland solo day & after reading your post, I heard his song!!!! OMG! Yuck! I had to change to station ASAP!

 

[Sherry E]

"O Holy Night" always makes me tear up! I love Wham's "Last Christmas" and Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas (Is You)." I REALLY dislike "Santa Baby" and cringe at Paul McCartney's song. Ironically, as I was driving home tonight from my Disneyland solo day & after reading your post, I heard his song!!!! OMG! Yuck! I had to change to station ASAP!

Isn't it funny that one of the most iconic and highly-regarded musicians of all time (whether people like The Beatles or not, there is no denying Paul McCartney's legendary status), one of the most esteemed, inspirational and respected songwriters among rock musicians, could write such a bland and uninteresting Christmas song? There is a certain irony there.

Simply Having a Wonderful Christmastime almost seems like a throwaway song, like no real thought was put into making it pretty, or making it festive, etc. It's a song that seems like something a child could have written. Not many Christmas songs get on my nerves -- I really like most of them -- but that one does!