Disneyland at Christmas/Holiday Season Superthread #5

[bhyer]

Hmm. Was a couple of years ago now but looking back at my schedule this is what I had:
- meet at 2:55
- tour started at 3:15
- parade was at 5:30

Not sure if it still the same but I'm sure they could tell you the expected duration if you phone.

The one year, because the park was so busy, they didn't fit in all the schedule rides during the tour time so they gave us a fastpass to use on our own after the parade was over.

 

[lvdis]

I believe I've read that it lasts approximately 3 hours, but I don't have firsthand knowledge.

 

[Tyggress]

Hmm. Was a couple of years ago now but looking back at my schedule this is what I had:
- meet at 2:55
- tour started at 3:15
- parade was at 5:30

Not sure if it still the same but I'm sure they could tell you the expected duration if you phone.

The one year, because the park was so busy, they didn't fit in all the schedule rides during the tour time so they gave us a fastpass to use on our own after the parade was over.

So about 2 - 3 hours....totally do-able.
I know hubby will want to do other park things, too....so wanted to be sure it wouldn't eat up too much of the day.
Thanks!

 

[TACK]

This is what I wish would have happened. Disney must have known that there would be no Christmas overlay on the castle or fireworks and other missing holiday elements months in advance. It would have been nice to announce these changes prior to guests making plans to visit. I did comment on the Disney blog (but it hasn't shown up maybe because my comment was more along the lines of what is not coming back and what's with that word dazzling). I understand why from a business perspective, but I will sorely miss the Christmas fireworks. However, trying to look at the bright side, there is still the Jingle Cruise (for some reason, I really get a kick out of it), Small World Holiday, and the other holiday features. I have my trip booked, so I will go and enjoy it.

 

[Sherry E]

This is what I wish would have happened. Disney must have known that there would be no Christmas overlay on the castle or fireworks and other missing holiday elements months in advance. It would have been nice to announce these changes prior to guests making plans to visit. I did comment on the Disney blog (but it hasn't shown up maybe because my comment was more along the lines of what is not coming back and what's with that word dazzling). I understand why from a business perspective, but I will sorely miss the Christmas fireworks. However, trying to look at the bright side, there is still the Jingle Cruise (for some reason, I really get a kick out of it), Small World Holiday, and the other holiday features. I have my trip booked, so I will go and enjoy it.

That's the right attitude to have -- and it will be a fun trip no matter what is missing. But you're right -- it would have been nice to know way in advance exactly what we would be dealing with for the holidays.

People are really speaking out on that Parks Blog page! Most people are not happy about the loss of the Winter Castle, the loss of the holiday fireworks or the loss of the Jamboree. I have to say -- I am a bit surprised at the backlash, but I am very pleased with it! I guess what I mean is that, initially, when we were not sure what was going to be happening with the holiday season in regards to the 60th anniversary, it seemed like people were saying in a roundabout way that they'd rather have blue bunting and 60th-related things in the parks than have a full-scale holiday celebration. So I figured that maybe everyone felt that way.

On the other hand, I know that many, many people don't follow blogs, discussion forums or even commercials, and a lot of those people may not really care one way or the other that it is the 60th anniversary. People go there every year for the holidays -- it's a tradition -- and the things that will stick out are the obvious omissions (like the Winter Castle and the holiday fireworks). The holiday season (and I include both Thanksgiving and Christmas in that time frame) are also very, very, very special to a lot of people. That whole season strikes a certain emotional note for some, and the beauty of it all really casts a spell. To enjoy the holidays at a Disney park is probably the ultimate in joy for a lot of people. I love Halloween and most other holidays as well, but when you are a true, diehard, hardcore Christmas buff there is no other holiday or season that comes close. It just has an extra special spark of magic in the air that is hard to define, and a lot of people get very invested and caught up in it. I knew I couldn't be the only one -- so I am glad to see some of my people speaking up on the Parks Blog!

I am glad to see that the other big fans of the holiday season are expressing their discontent with the losses this year. It's not that the 60th anniversary of Disneyland isn't a big deal, but for people who are reallllllly into Christmas it's not going to be the same to not have the Winter Castle and Believe in Holiday Magic fireworks. Those diamond "D" decorations that are on lampposts look the same, but the holiday decorations on lampposts and everywhere else are themed to each land. It's a very complex decorations package, and I will be interested (and a bit afraid) to see what might be missing this year.

 

[Sherry E]

Have any of you taken the Holiday Time tour? If so - what did you think about it? If it's offered this December, I'd like to go on it.

P.S. I just ordered The Unofficial Guide to Disneyland 2016, which comes out today, from Amazon!

In this post - http://www.disboards.com/threads/di...egin-fri-november-13th.3358217/#post-52730327 - look under Main Street/Holiday Time Tour, and you will find links to some reviews of the tour from the last few years.

 

[Tyggress]

It will be interesting to see how they work out the parades....since they plan to show PTN, will the Christmas Fantasy Parade be in the afternoon (with the Holiday Tour schedule rearranged a bit)...or will it still be early evening (as it will be getting dark by 5:30 or so during the holidays) with only one PTN parade later....or two PTN later (8:45 and 10:45, etc). Things that make you go "hmmmmm".

 

[pudinhd]

I am disappointed about some of the changes DLR is making... However, all of the secrecy and lack of sharing information is what drives me crazy!!!

 

[NancyIL]

In this post - http://www.disboards.com/threads/di...egin-fri-november-13th.3358217/#post-52730327 - look under Main Street/Holiday Time Tour, and you will find links to some reviews of the tour from the last few years.

Thank you for the link to the reviews, Sherry! I looked for the SEARCH button, but didn't see one.

We took the Holiday tour in dec 2013 and loved it! Loved the seats for the parade, the hot cocoa, the treats, the rides without lines......

Thank you!

We did the holiday tour in 2011 and 2012.
In 2011 our guide was a newbie (first time doing the tour) AND there were some very disrespectful children on the tour that were giving him grief so that wasn't great. But still loved getting on the rides without waiting and the seats for the parade were worth every penny!! One of my favorite photos is the one the tour guide took of my daughter and I sitting in our seats sipping hot chocolate!
In 2012 our guide was AMAZING!! Park was packed and yet he managed to keep us all together and was just a wealth of information. So many tidbits of information that I thoroughly enjoyed hearing. Little things like telling us that Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus in the parade were actually married. The pin we were given on the tour was a perfect keepsake.
Only thing to keep in mind is that it does take several hours. In 2012 we did the tour on a VERY busy park day and it worked out perfectly because we would have waited longer in lines than the entire tour took.
Highly recommend giving it a try.

Thank you! After reading the comments here plus the reviews from previous years, I REALLY want to do this tour!

 

[Sherry E]

A couple of non-Disney holiday-related things...

First of all, it appears that amaretto and Irish cream are the new holiday flavors -- http://www.theimpulsivebuy.com/wordpress/2015/09/15/spotted-on-shelves-9152015/.

Are they holiday flavors? For some reason I never think "holidays" when I think of those flavors, but maybe. The Duncan Hines boxes have snowflakes on them, so clearly they are being marketed to the holiday season crowds. At least they're trying to come up with something beyond peppermint, cranberry, gingerbread, eggnog, pumpkin spice, candy corn and caramel apple!




Next -- and this is for the peeps out there who follow the Hallmark Channel's massive Countdown to Christmas (2 months of sheer holiday joy in the form of an all day/all night movie marathon) -- a while back I listed off all of the titles of new movies that I knew of that were coming to this year's Countdown. Since then, some of the titles have changed, and at least one movie that was originally scheduled to air on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries is now going to air on the regular Hallmark Channel instead. The lineup was announced today, but only some of the actors in some of the movies are known. Here is the updated list (in no particular order, but I am just numbering them anyway):

1. "'Tis the Season for Love" (with Hallmark favorite Sarah Lancaster of "Fir Crazy" and Brendan J. Penny)

2. "Christmas Detour" (formerly called "A Christmas to Remember" and "On Time for Christmas," with Hallmark favorite Candace Cameron Bure and Paul Greene)

3. "Charming Christmas" (based on "The Secret Life of Mrs. Claus," starring Julie Benz from "Dexter" and "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," and David Sutcliffe from "The Wish List" and "Under the Tuscan Sun")

4. "Ice Sculpture Christmas" (with Rachel Boston of "A Ring by Spring" and David Alpay)

5. "Christmas Incorporated" (no clue who is in this one)

6. "The Truth About Christmas" (formerly called "The Honesty Trip," starring Alicia Witt of "A Very Merry Mix-Up" and "Christmas at Cartwright's," and George Stults)

7. "Northpole 2: Open for Christmas" (starring Lori Loughlin of "Full House" and "When Calls the Heart," and Dermot Mulroney of "My Best Friend's Wedding")

8. "Merry Matrimony" (no clue who is in this one)

9. "Once Upon a Holiday" (no clue who is in this one)

10. "Crown for Christmas" (with Danica McKellar of "The Wonder Years")

11. "Angel of Christmas" (no clue who is in this one)

12. "12 Gifts of Christmas" (no clue who is in this one)

13. "Debbie Macomber's Dashing Through the Snow" (with Meghan Ory of "Once Upon a Time" and Andrew Walker of "A Bride for Christmas" and "Bridal Wave")

14. "Melody & Mistletoe" (with Mariah Carey as director and star, and yet-to-be-named actors)

15. "Just in Time for Christmas" (with Eloise Mumford of "Christmas with Holly")

16. "Christmas Land" (no clue who is in this one)

17. "On the Twelfth Day of Christmas" (no clue who is in this one).




Bonus: "Family for Christmas" with Lacey Chabert premiered as a sneak preview in July, but it was originally supposed to debut during the holiday season.

There was/is supposed to be a "When Calls the Heart" Christmas movie, but it's not on Hallmark's list, so I don't know what happened to it.

There was supposed to be a movie called "Christmas Confessions," with Jessica Harmon (who has done a bunch of TV shows and movies), and I am guessing that it is one of the above-listed movies without a known cast -- the title of the movie most likely changed to something else.

The movie "The Ultimate Legacy" (part of a trilogy with "The Ultimate Life" and "The Ultimate Gift") was supposedly going to debut in December, but it is NOT a holiday movie. So I am guessing it will premiere somewhere between Christmas and New Year's Eve, or it will end up on the Hallmark Movies & Mysteries Channel.


Speaking of which... tomorrow the new movies scheduled for the Hallmark Movies & Mysteries Channel will be revealed. Initially there were going to be something like 5 new movies -- but I think that 2 of them moved over to the regular Hallmark schedule and/or changed titles. So, right now, the only 2 movies I know for sure are scheduled for Movies & Mysteries are:

1. "Karen Kingsbury's The Bridge" (cast unknown)

2. "Murder, She Baked: A Plum Pudding Mystery" (with Alison Sweeney and Cameron Mathison).

The 3rd and final movie will either be "The Christmas Note" or "The Magic Stocking."




Anyway, I'm happy with the casting for a lot of these -- Alicia Witt, Candace Cameron Bure and Sarah Lancaster are all good in their own way, and on the men's side of things I love Dermot Mulroney, David Sutcliffe, Andrew Walker and Cameron Mathison. I'm not sure what the Mariah Carey movie is going to be like, but I'll give it a chance.



Oh - also, the movie that Tracy/OHBelle mentioned a while ago -- a holiday movie with Mayim Bialik and Ryan McPartlin -- is called "Accidental Trip," and it is supposed to air on Lifetime. I assume it will air this holiday season. Lifetime also has a new Christmas movie with Jesse Hutch of "Cedar Cove" and "Let It Snow," and Michael Gross and Meredith Baxter of "Family Ties."



We now return you to your regularly scheduled programming...

​

 

[Aussie Princess]

That's the right attitude to have -- and it will be a fun trip no matter what is missing. But you're right -- it would have been nice to know way in advance exactly what we would be dealing with for the holidays.

People are really speaking out on that Parks Blog page! Most people are not happy about the loss of the Winter Castle, the loss of the holiday fireworks or the loss of the Jamboree. I have to say -- I am a bit surprised at the backlash, but I am very pleased with it! I guess what I mean is that, initially, when we were not sure what was going to be happening with the holiday season in regards to the 60th anniversary, it seemed like people were saying in a roundabout way that they'd rather have blue bunting and 60th-related things in the parks than have a full-scale holiday celebration. So I figured that maybe everyone felt that way.

On the other hand, I know that many, many people don't follow blogs, discussion forums or even commercials, and a lot of those people may not really care one way or the other that it is the 60th anniversary. People go there every year for the holidays -- it's a tradition -- and the things that will stick out are the obvious omissions (like the Winter Castle and the holiday fireworks). The holiday season (and I include both Thanksgiving and Christmas in that time frame) are also very, very, very special to a lot of people. That whole season strikes a certain emotional note for some, and the beauty of it all really casts a spell. To enjoy the holidays at a Disney park is probably the ultimate in joy for a lot of people. I love Halloween and most other holidays as well, but when you are a true, diehard, hardcore Christmas buff there is no other holiday or season that comes close. It just has an extra special spark of magic in the air that is hard to define, and a lot of people get very invested and caught up in it. I knew I couldn't be the only one -- so I am glad to see some of my people speaking up on the Parks Blog!

I am glad to see that the other big fans of the holiday season are expressing their discontent with the losses this year. It's not that the 60th anniversary of Disneyland isn't a big deal, but for people who are reallllllly into Christmas it's not going to be the same to not have the Winter Castle and Believe in Holiday Magic fireworks. Those diamond "D" decorations that are on lampposts look the same, but the holiday decorations on lampposts and everywhere else are themed to each land. It's a very complex decorations package, and I will be interested (and a bit afraid) to see what might be missing this year.

I was just reading all the comments and I am too sad there is no winter version of the diamond castle it won't seem the same holiday time without it

Jingle jangle jamboree will be missed for us too we loved it a good time out area decorate cookies etc had excellent character interaction last year with them coming up to the tables and Santa moving to the pooh meet and greet area where will my son see pooh he loves him and he's not normally at Minnie and friends breakfast to see and i find the pooh meet and greet area excellent the interaction was better than Minnie and friends cos they aren't as rushed


My main concern is WOC I've seen winter dreams and not celebrate so my issue is do I book my dining when they come out and hope celebrate is on or wait til the entertainment schedule comes out for end of Nov and I have a 3 yr old who definitely won't make a 1030 WOC viewing

 

[Sherry E]

I was just reading all the comments and I am too sad there is no winter version of the diamond castle it won't seem the same holiday time without it

Jingle jangle jamboree will be missed for us too we loved it a good time out area decorate cookies etc had excellent character interaction last year with them coming up to the tables and Santa moving to the pooh meet and greet area where will my son see pooh he loves him and he's not normally at Minnie and friends breakfast to see and i find the pooh meet and greet area excellent the interaction was better than Minnie and friends cos they aren't as rushed


My main concern is WOC I've seen winter dreams and not celebrate so my issue is do I book my dining when they come out and hope celebrate is on or wait til the entertainment schedule comes out for end of Nov and I have a 3 yr old who definitely won't make a 1030 WOC viewing

It is very mysterious as far as how those two versions of World of Color are going to be presented. From the press release I got the feeling that there could be some nights when only one of the versions is shown -- but which version would it be, and how far in advance would anyone know? And then on "most nights" both will be presented -- but which one will be shown first and which one last?

I think I'd probably wait until the schedule comes out for the end of November, just to be on the safe side. I tend to think that Celebrate might be shown last. Then again, who knows? The night you want may end up being one of those nights that only shows one version. I mean, I'm glad they told us that there would be two versions, but there are still so many questions!

 

[superme80]

UGH! You guys are getting me so excited! 74 more days till my trip!!!!!!!

 

[DisneyWillow1975]

Me too! We are at 76 days here.

 

[Aussie Princess]

It is very mysterious as far as how those two versions of World of Color are going to be presented. From the press release I got the feeling that there could be some nights when only one of the versions is shown -- but which version would it be, and how far in advance would anyone know? And then on "most nights" both will be presented -- but which one will be shown first and which one last?

I think I'd probably wait until the schedule comes out for the end of November, just to be on the safe side. I tend to think that Celebrate might be shown last. Then again, who knows? The night you want may end up being one of those nights that only shows one version. I mean, I'm glad they told us that there would be two versions, but there are still so many questions!

It's like the Halloween announcement all over again more questions then answers

It is very mysterious as far as how those two versions of World of Color are going to be presented. From the press release I got the feeling that there could be some nights when only one of the versions is shown -- but which version would it be, and how far in advance would anyone know? And then on "most nights" both will be presented -- but which one will be shown first and which one last?

I think I'd probably wait until the schedule comes out for the end of November, just to be on the safe side. I tend to think that Celebrate might be shown last. Then again, who knows? The night you want may end up being one of those nights that only shows one version. I mean, I'm glad they told us that there would be two versions, but there are still so many questions!

double post sorry

 

[lorijohnhill]

I can see why they can't add the snow on the castle, but I don't understand why the can't add the icicle lights. Would they get in the way of the projections?

 

[LadyBJ]

Sleeping Beauty Castle in Disneyland and Carthay Circle Theatre in Disney California Adventure bring extra glitter to the season with diamond highlights on their facades.

To me, this actually sounds like the diamond highlights would be "in addition" to the holiday decor. I could be wrong, but I hope to see even a little bit of Christmas decor on the castle. It would look kinda odd if the surrounding area is decorated and it isn't.

 

[TACK]

That's the right attitude to have -- and it will be a fun trip no matter what is missing. But you're right -- it would have been nice to know way in advance exactly what we would be dealing with for the holidays.

People are really speaking out on that Parks Blog page! Most people are not happy about the loss of the Winter Castle, the loss of the holiday fireworks or the loss of the Jamboree. I have to say -- I am a bit surprised at the backlash, but I am very pleased with it! I guess what I mean is that, initially, when we were not sure what was going to be happening with the holiday season in regards to the 60th anniversary, it seemed like people were saying in a roundabout way that they'd rather have blue bunting and 60th-related things in the parks than have a full-scale holiday celebration. So I figured that maybe everyone felt that way.

On the other hand, I know that many, many people don't follow blogs, discussion forums or even commercials, and a lot of those people may not really care one way or the other that it is the 60th anniversary. People go there every year for the holidays -- it's a tradition -- and the things that will stick out are the obvious omissions (like the Winter Castle and the holiday fireworks). The holiday season (and I include both Thanksgiving and Christmas in that time frame) are also very, very, very special to a lot of people. That whole season strikes a certain emotional note for some, and the beauty of it all really casts a spell. To enjoy the holidays at a Disney park is probably the ultimate in joy for a lot of people. I love Halloween and most other holidays as well, but when you are a true, diehard, hardcore Christmas buff there is no other holiday or season that comes close. It just has an extra special spark of magic in the air that is hard to define, and a lot of people get very invested and caught up in it. I knew I couldn't be the only one -- so I am glad to see some of my people speaking up on the Parks Blog!

I am glad to see that the other big fans of the holiday season are expressing their discontent with the losses this year. It's not that the 60th anniversary of Disneyland isn't a big deal, but for people who are reallllllly into Christmas it's not going to be the same to not have the Winter Castle and Believe in Holiday Magic fireworks. Those diamond "D" decorations that are on lampposts look the same, but the holiday decorations on lampposts and everywhere else are themed to each land. It's a very complex decorations package, and I will be interested (and a bit afraid) to see what might be missing this year.

I think what I don't understand is why they cannot overlay on the overlay. There should have been some consideration for the holidays when planning the 60th Anniversary. Seems odd that they couldn't have done a little something. And the fireworks, why can they have the Halloween Screams but not the holiday fireworks -- something doesn't make sense. When I think about the Holiday fireworks, it's pretty emotional and stirring and I have seen people who cry at the end. So, I can understand why people are upset.

 

[CaptBane]

So about 2 - 3 hours....totally do-able.
I know hubby will want to do other park things, too....so wanted to be sure it wouldn't eat up too much of the day.
Thanks!

We did the Tour last year we met at main street at 2:55 and the Tour was done in time for the six o clock parade. With gingerbread Mickey and hot coco in a special holiday time cup! Also the pin with Chip and Dale are very cute.

 

[OHBelle]

​

Erin at the Parks Blog came back to confirm in her comments that:

1. The Castle will remain in Diamond Celebration/decoration form, and will not switch to Winter Castle form ;

2. Jingle Jangle Jamboree is not happening (which we already knew);

3. The Mad T Party will stay in the Diamond version through the holidays, and will not be doing the holiday version;

4. Santa's new spot in Critter Country will be where Pooh & Friends are/were (so where will Pooh and Friends be?); and

5. Everything that she mentioned in her blog begins on 11/13. This is notable as I had been wondering when Jingle Cruise and Olaf's Snow Fest would begin. Since the hotel décor was not mentioned, I would assume that the trees will go up at the usual '9 or 10 days before Thanksgiving' point.

​

With these 60th Anniversary changes to the Holiday season, it is making me feel a little bit better about skipping this year. Not that I still wouldn't want to go, but at least I am not missing out on a few things, since they won't be there anyway. Winter Castle is just so magical, I don't know how the Diamond Celebration Castle can compare.

A couple of non-Disney holiday-related things...

First of all, it appears that amaretto and Irish cream are the new holiday flavors -- http://www.theimpulsivebuy.com/wordpress/2015/09/15/spotted-on-shelves-9152015/.

Are they holiday flavors? For some reason I never think "holidays" when I think of those flavors, but maybe. The Duncan Hines boxes have snowflakes on them, so clearly they are being marketed to the holiday season crowds. At least they're trying to come up with something beyond peppermint, cranberry, gingerbread, eggnog, pumpkin spice, candy corn and caramel apple!




Next -- and this is for the peeps out there who follow the Hallmark Channel's massive Countdown to Christmas (2 months of sheer holiday joy in the form of an all day/all night movie marathon) -- a while back I listed off all of the titles of new movies that I knew of that were coming to this year's Countdown. Since then, some of the titles have changed, and at least one movie that was originally scheduled to air on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries is now going to air on the regular Hallmark Channel instead. The lineup was announced today, but only some of the actors in some of the movies are known. Here is the updated list (in no particular order, but I am just numbering them anyway):

1. "'Tis the Season for Love" (with Hallmark favorite Sarah Lancaster of "Fir Crazy" and Brendan J. Penny)

2. "Christmas Detour" (formerly called "A Christmas to Remember" and "On Time for Christmas," with Hallmark favorite Candace Cameron Bure and Paul Greene)

3. "Charming Christmas" (based on "The Secret Life of Mrs. Claus," starring Julie Benz from "Dexter" and "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," and David Sutcliffe from "The Wish List" and "Under the Tuscan Sun")

4. "Ice Sculpture Christmas" (with Rachel Boston of "A Ring by Spring" and David Alpay)

5. "Christmas Incorporated" (no clue who is in this one)

6. "The Truth About Christmas" (formerly called "The Honesty Trip," starring Alicia Witt of "A Very Merry Mix-Up" and "Christmas at Cartwright's," and George Stults)

7. "Northpole 2: Open for Christmas" (starring Lori Loughlin of "Full House" and "When Calls the Heart," and Dermot Mulroney of "My Best Friend's Wedding")

8. "Merry Matrimony" (no clue who is in this one)

9. "Once Upon a Holiday" (no clue who is in this one)

10. "Crown for Christmas" (with Danica McKellar of "The Wonder Years")

11. "Angel of Christmas" (no clue who is in this one)

12. "12 Gifts of Christmas" (no clue who is in this one)

13. "Debbie Macomber's Dashing Through the Snow" (with Meghan Ory of "Once Upon a Time" and Andrew Walker of "A Bride for Christmas" and "Bridal Wave")

14. "Melody & Mistletoe" (with Mariah Carey as director and star, and yet-to-be-named actors)

15. "Just in Time for Christmas" (with Eloise Mumford of "Christmas with Holly")

16. "Christmas Land" (no clue who is in this one)

17. "On the Twelfth Day of Christmas" (no clue who is in this one).




Bonus: "Family for Christmas" with Lacey Chabert premiered as a sneak preview in July, but it was originally supposed to debut during the holiday season.

There was/is supposed to be a "When Calls the Heart" Christmas movie, but it's not on Hallmark's list, so I don't know what happened to it.

There was supposed to be a movie called "Christmas Confessions," with Jessica Harmon (who has done a bunch of TV shows and movies), and I am guessing that it is one of the above-listed movies without a known cast -- the title of the movie most likely changed to something else.

The movie "The Ultimate Legacy" (part of a trilogy with "The Ultimate Life" and "The Ultimate Gift") was supposedly going to debut in December, but it is NOT a holiday movie. So I am guessing it will premiere somewhere between Christmas and New Year's Eve, or it will end up on the Hallmark Movies & Mysteries Channel.


Speaking of which... tomorrow the new movies scheduled for the Hallmark Movies & Mysteries Channel will be revealed. Initially there were going to be something like 5 new movies -- but I think that 2 of them moved over to the regular Hallmark schedule and/or changed titles. So, right now, the only 2 movies I know for sure are scheduled for Movies & Mysteries are:

1. "Karen Kingsbury's The Bridge" (cast unknown)

2. "Murder, She Baked: A Plum Pudding Mystery" (with Alison Sweeney and Cameron Mathison).

The 3rd and final movie will either be "The Christmas Note" or "The Magic Stocking."




Anyway, I'm happy with the casting for a lot of these -- Alicia Witt, Candace Cameron Bure and Sarah Lancaster are all good in their own way, and on the men's side of things I love Dermot Mulroney, David Sutcliffe, Andrew Walker and Cameron Mathison. I'm not sure what the Mariah Carey movie is going to be like, but I'll give it a chance.



Oh - also, the movie that Tracy/OHBelle mentioned a while ago -- a holiday movie with Mayim Bialik and Ryan McPartlin -- is called "Accidental Trip," and it is supposed to air on Lifetime. I assume it will air this holiday season. Lifetime also has a new Christmas movie with Jesse Hutch of "Cedar Cove" and "Let It Snow," and Michael Gross and Meredith Baxter of "Family Ties."



We now return you to your regularly scheduled programming...

​

I am loving all the information coming out for the Countdown to Christmas! We still have quite a bit of information to learn.
Alicia Witt, Candace Cameron Bure and Sarah Lancaster have all had movies in the past that I really enjoyed, so I am hoping that continues. I am a bit wary of the Mariah Carey movie, but I know I will record it and see what it is like. I do not have high expectations for it, but I have been very wrong in my pre viewing opinions in the past.

With 17 movies coming out, I know they can't all be winners. I will hope for most of the them to be decent with 3-5 being favorites.

I usually don't get around to watching the Christmas movies on the other channels (Lifetime, ION, or ABC Family), so I probably won't see the Mayim Bialik movie.

Now I am off to see if I have any photos for this weeks theme!