Disneyland at Christmas/Holiday Season Superthread #5

[Sherry E]

^^^ I wonder what happened to his arm later on? I suppose an overzealous person tried to move the arm and broke it off.

I love that outdoor fireplace at the DLH, with the big wreath. I passed it as I was exploring the hotel and hunting for holiday decor. If I'm not mistaken, that's kind of near Tangaroa Terrace and Trader Sam's, isn't it (except at the bottom of the steps)?

 

[dolphingirl47]

Yes, this is just below Trader Sam's. I was sitting by that fireplace last week enjoying a drink.

Corinna

 

[kylie71]

I wanted to do that too, have a drink on those nice couches out there, but it was a smoking area....... Boooo!
I was there 9/6-9/11-2015

--Lori

 

[Sherry E]

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

……Only 46 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 6 more themes to explore over the next 6 weeks: Five main weekly themes every Monday from today, September 28, 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 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 eighth theme of 2015? It is a double header Theme Week, with a bonus subtheme, so 3 themes in one!! Today, let’s roam the alleys of the Big Easy and delve into one of New Orleans Square’s signature attractions, as well as enjoy a bit of playfully spooky fun in the park...

In the Spotlight this Week......

NEW ORLEANS SQUARE, HAUNTED MANSION HOLIDAY and…. HALLOWEEN TIME (When Holidays Collide)!!!
​

If you have been to Disneyland, you know that New Orleans Square is one of the most unique areas of the park. But if you’ve been to Disneyland from November-early January, you also know that some of the most stunning (and theme-specific) decorations can be found in this location. While some of the décor has been scaled back a bit in the last few years, this mystical, mercurial land embodies revelry and celebration – two things that are also synonymous with the holiday season!

From the mysterious Mardi Gras-inspired masks which adorn lampposts and line the borders around Disneyland’s version of The Crescent City, to playful jesters hiding in the shadows, to the colorful beads strewn about on shop signs and balconies, Christmas is delivered with a bit of Southern spice and exquisite beauty.



Twenty-two years ago, “The Nightmare Before Christmas” - a fable about what can go wrong when Halloween and Christmas collide - introduced us to Jack Skellington, the wiry Pumpkin King of Halloween Town.

After catching a glimpse of the festivities enjoyed by the residents of Christmas Town, Jack yearns for a way to incorporate a little bit of Yuletide spirit into everyday life in his own spooky city and decides to make it happen…an idea that doesn’t exactly sit well with its various ‘offbeat’ citizens.

Needless to say, Jack Skellington’s well-meaning but misguided mission begins and chaos ensues, including a kidnapped Santa Claus (“Sandy Claws”), many horrified recipients of some rather ‘shocking’ presents…and the roly poly, bright green Oogie Boogie. In the end, things get back to normal in both holiday villages. Sandy Claws even delivers a little bit of Christmas magic to the various befuddled, creepy creatures of Halloween Town. (And Jack Skellington finds romance with Sally, the rag doll creation of a local doctor.)

In 2001, Jack Skellington left his mark on Disneyland’s venerable Haunted Mansion ride for the very first time, and Haunted Mansion Holiday was born. Lasting from mid-September through early January, this extremely popular overlay draws large crowds every year for both the Halloween Time and Christmas seasons at the Disneyland Resort.

The concept of Haunted Mansion Holiday invites us to imagine what would happen if Jack Skellington took over the existing Mansion and infused some Christmas merriment into it. While there is some controversy over the theme of Haunted Mansion Holiday and how well it actually fits or does not fit in with the Halloween and/or Christmas seasons in the park – or how well “Nightmare Before Christmas” fits in to the Disney family at all, for that matter – there is no question that the attention to detail in this transformation of a longstanding, beloved park attraction is exceptional. There are Skellington-ized accents everywhere, from the cemetery, light fixtures and shrubbery in the outdoor queue to the famous ballroom scene inside…which features a most interesting and menacing gingerbread creation as the table’s centerpiece (there’s a new one made every year!). Almost no corner of the ride is left untouched, which explains the nearly 3-week time frame it takes to install the makeover. Love it or hate it, most people will agree that it is an elaborate undertaking and truly a spectacle to behold.

New in 2015 is the inclusion of one of the original Haunted Mansion’s most elusive spirits, the famous Hatbox Ghost! Due to the popularity of his return to the Mansion for Disneyland’s 60th anniversary (after many decades away), he is joining in with Jack and friends to make the Mansion’s holidays a little creepier.



Just because Halloween Time is currently going on at Disneyland Resort, let’s also turn our attention towards Disneyland Resort’s Halloween Time festivities, which last from mid-September through November 1st this year.

Signs of the holiday season begin to trickle into the Halloween Time fun even before October 31st, so throwing a few pumpkins into the Holiday mix will never hurt anyone!

If you have never visited Disneyland for Halloween Time, you are welcome to use Jack Skellington character photos – since “Nightmare Before Christmas” represents two holidays colliding – or even NBC merchandise photos. Anything “Nightmare Before Christmas” that you’ve seen during the holidays will work for this theme too, but if you have experienced Halloween Time at Disneyland, feel free to share your photos for this week only!

New Orleans Square

Haunted Mansion Holiday

Halloween Time (When Holidays Collide)


The delicious Spooky Kooky gingerbread zombie cookie that commemorated the 13th year of Haunted Mansion Holiday (September 13, 2013)…

Olaf, in pumpkin form…

Random décor in New Orleans Square…

I love the “pumpkin people” at the (soon to be gone) Halloween Round-Up (and former Halloween Carnival) during the season…

Some of the carved pumpkins were awesome!

A “Nightmare Before Christmas” tree in World of Disney…

A random display in New Orleans Square…

​

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

Please feel free to post your photos of New Orleans Square, Haunted Mansion Holiday and Halloween Time (When Holidays Collide) all this week, through Sunday, October 4th, 2015, 11:59 p.m., P.S.T.

Then, stay tuned for our ninth theme on Monday, October 5th!! We have many themes coming up in future 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.

 

[MountainTigger]

How can I get Reserved Seats to the "Candlelight Processional" on December 5th? Will they be available to the public? And if not, how crazy will the event be to take my 8yo & 10yo DDs?

 

[mvf-m11c]

New Orleans Square

The old light canopy over the alley of NOS

Haunted Mansion Holiday

















2013 gingerbread house




Last year’s gingerbread house

 

[tlovesdis]

How can I get Reserved Seats to the "Candlelight Processional" on December 5th? Will they be available to the public? And if not, how crazy will the event be to take my 8yo & 10yo DDs?

There are no reserved seats available to the public. The seats are for VIP's, club 33 members, etc... You can stand around and wait and watch the CP though! I have never actually done it, I've been there during the CP but avoid the area completely so I am not sure how crazy it is!

 

[mvf-m11c]

Halloween Time pictures from 2014

Turnstiles with the giant Disney character pumpkins.


Main Street










Partners Statue


Dia de Los Muertos


Ray Bradbury Halloween tree


Halloween Carnival at Big Thunder Ranch












Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy

 

[Sherry E]

How can I get Reserved Seats to the "Candlelight Processional" on December 5th? Will they be available to the public? And if not, how crazy will the event be to take my 8yo & 10yo DDs?

I think that -- unless Disney changes something or adds in a special package -- the only way to possibly have a chance at getting reserved seats is to do the very expensive VIP tour. Otherwise, the seats are not available to the general public for Disneyland's version of Candelight. It's a much smaller and less publicized event at DLR than it is at WDW. In fact, it's really not advertised at all unless Disney finds a way to allow extra people to see it (which they did in 2012). The seats are reserved for VIPs, Club 33 members, families of Disney employees, maybe some media, etc. Everyone else who views Candlelight basically stands around Town Square, and they line up a good period of time in advance.

Some people will claim the benches around Town Square as soon as they walk in the front gate of Disneyland in the morning -- and they stay there all day without moving.

The area right around Town Square is quite crowded, and Main Street can get pretty crowded as well. I think that a lot of the crowds are due to not only the people standing to view the Ceremony, but also due to those who are trying to escape Disneyland to get away from other crowds!

That said, it is a beautiful ceremony and if you love Christmas and Christmas music, and don't mind the non-secular aspect of the Ceremony, it is worth seeing. The performers are talented. The setting is intimate and lovely. The music is joyous and uplifting.

I have seen Candlelight a few times, with different narrators, both while standing and also from seats (when the 2012 multi-night Candlelight took place). I would happily see it every year if I could, but I am a sucker for all things Christmas and Christmas music.

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Mountain Tigger, I hope you and your children are able to view Candlelight this year. I did so last year and the experience as such a blessing. Jesus is my everything. To be part of Him being celebrated at Disneyland (one of my very favorite places) was awesome! Out here in CA, Candlelight is not the public friendly event it is in FL. There are no lunch or dinner packages to ensure a seat. You just need to be committed to waiting on Main Street for most of the day you wish to view. Take Care and maybe I will see you at the CP.

 

[kylie71]

Fro

m 2015 and 2014:

When I was there Sept 6-11th, 2015, Frontierland wasn't decorated yet, except for a Cornucopia on the porch of the store....
Can I use that pic, Sherry?

--Lori

 

[Sherry E]

When I was there Sept 6-11th, 2015, Frontierland wasn't decorated yet, except for a Cornucopia on the porch of the store....
Can I use that pic, Sherry?

--Lori

Yes! It's part of Halloween Time, so it counts. Is that the same store with the creepy pumpkin-headed standee (or whatever it is) nearby?

 

[kylie71]

Cool, Thank You!
Sherry, I know this is the wrong thread, but I would like to hear your thoughts, on what will happen when SWL opens.
Will they just have the same traffic pattern's, leading towards what is now BTR? Or will they make a different entrance somehow?
I really the to see Frontierland changed... its so quaint the way it is! I enjoy spending time poling around there...
I respect your idea's as I know many do....

--Lori

Frontierland Clothiers Porch:

 

[petals]

New Orleans Square:

Haunted Mansion:

Holiday Cross-over:

 

[Sherry E]

Cool, Thank You!
Sherry, I know this is the wrong thread, but I would like to hear your thoughts, on what will happen when SWL opens.
Will they just have the same traffic pattern's, leading towards what is now BTR? Or will they make a different entrance somehow?
I really the to see Frontierland changed... its so quaint the way it is! I enjoy spending time poling around there...
I respect your idea's as I know many do....

--Lori

I would hate to see the Big Thunder Trail changed or impacted too much, though I suspect that part of it may have to be -- just because the theming will be important if that spot (where the Ranch is now) will be an entrance point into SWL.

My guess is that there will be at least 2 entrances/exits to SWL, simply because it is going to be so large. One of the points would have to be right smack dab where the current Ranch/Round-Up is located, and the theming in that immediate vicinity would have to be changed to fit with that land and not just with Frontierland. It's going to be weird when it is all said and done. We are all so used to the look of that location when we go to the Round-Up, the BBQ or the Jingle Jangle Jamboree. It's going to look completely different.

There are rumors to indicate that Critter Country will open up (so it would no longer be a dead end) and that would be another access point to SWL. I don't know if that will pan out, but that's the rumor.

Where a 3rd access point would be is a mystery. I keep thinking that there would have to be some sort of entrance from ToonTown (even though ToonTown will supposedly not be affected), or from a far corner of Fantasyland.

I think that the traffic patterns around the Big Thunder Trail area (or what is left of it) would definitely change, if not change around the whole park as well. As it is now, a lot of people don't go back to that location because it's out of the way, or too far out of the main flow of activity to really care about it. Having a huge land based on Star Wars back there will force all sorts of people to that location.

What I am really wondering about is if the rumors of part of the Rivers of America being shortened and the DLRR train tracks being partially redirected (all to accommodate SWL) are true!

 

[kylie71]

Thank You, Sherry. Yes, I know the rumors about Toontown and Critter Country... its just going to make so much more congestion going through Adventureland too, I am afraid! That is so congested in front of Indy anyway, and where it forks to go down to POTC, or over it...
Sigh.. this is the biggest change I think I have been alive for, and I'm 44! I am worried about my home park.

--Lori

 

[Sherry E]

Thank You, Sherry. Yes, I know the rumors about Toontown and Critter Country... its just going to make so much more congestion going through Adventureland too, I am afraid! That is so congested in front of Indy anyway, and where it forks to go down to POTC, or over it...
Sigh.. this is the biggest change I think I have been alive for, and I'm 44! I am worried about my home park.

--Lori

Adventureland is really the land that needs to be expanded, if we're being honest! That land is gridlocked almost all day long. It needs to open up and get more spacious so people can move about more freely!

This is going to be a huge change, indeed. It was different when ToonTown was being built back in the early '90s, as it was located way back behind Fantasyland, in an area that no one was really going to anyway. And the Cars Land/Buena Vista Street expansion, while intrusive in DCA in terms of the construction walls and all of that, was largely welcomed because so many people felt that DCA was lacking anyway, and needed something more.

But a huge land in Disneyland -- an already jam-packed park -- that is wiping out an existing section of Frontierland and possibly impacting the RoA and DLRR, not to mention shutting down everything on the RoA for at least a year, is really quite significant and major.

 

[sgrap]

October 2014. We had such a great time at Halloween Time and 2 Mickey's Halloween parties! I have so many pictures, these are just a few of the fun we had.













Christmas decorations were already starting to go up in New Orleans Square by the latter part of October 2014:



We loved the Halloween Ranch area . . . I'm sad it will be gone! :-(



Haunted Mansion Holiday

 

[Sherry E]

One of the things I most appreciate about Disney is the dedication to theming and details. What's interesting is that some wintry/holiday decorations do, indeed, begin to appear even before Halloween, as pointed out by sgrap above. A lot of people grumble and complain about that, but what they may not realize or notice is that Disney is integrating some of the holiday décor into the remaining days of Halloween Time in a way that makes sense, sort of.

I remember once talking to a CM, who said that they try to begin introducing certain holiday décor in a way that that will make sense with the story of Halloween or Fall transitioning into Winter and the holidays. They try to depict, for example, the changing of the seasons as snow begins to dust the Castle. In some parts of the world it is snowing by late October, so snow on a Castle would not be unheard of. (Of course, this year there won't be any snow on the Castle, sadly.)

Also, the décor that you see in New Orleans Square before 10/31 largely fits in with the real New Orleans celebration of Halloween, with beads and masks. The Mardi Gras masquerade masks usually stay up until Mardi Gras of the following year, but they go up before Halloween because masks make sense for Halloween!

The reality is that Disney needs to hustle to get all of the holiday décor up in time for the holiday season because there is only a short gap in between Halloween Time and the Holidays, but if they can do it in a way that helps tell the story of the transition from Fall to Winter, or in a way that makes thematic sense, I am all for it!

 

[bhyer]

Wow, I so have to get to Disneyland at Halloween time someday. I considered it this year but then I think of Christmas and that wins out. Love all the pictures!!