Disneyland at Christmas

[emily94]

Hi all! I am planning my first trip to Disneyland, in which seems like forever (May '13 was my last trip for my high school's grad night! ) Our first day there will be 1/6, which according to the website, will be the last day for the Christmas decor. I haven't been during Christmas in forever and was wondering what themed stuff we should see or do during the last day? Thanks in advance!

 

[figment_jii]

Hi all! I am planning my first trip to Disneyland, in which seems like forever (May '13 was my last trip for my high school's grad night! ) Our first day there will be 1/6, which according to the website, will be the last day for the Christmas decor. I haven't been during Christmas in forever and was wondering what themed stuff we should see or do during the last day? Thanks in advance!

At this point, it looks like the Christmas Parade, Believe...In Holiday Magic fireworks, WoC Winter Dreams, Viva Navidad, and Jingle Cruise may be ending on the 6th.

 

[Sherry E]

By the thread title I thought that you were going to be at Disneyland over Christmas or at Christmas time. I was surprised to open up the thread and see that it's a trip starting on January 6th!

I'm not sure how long it's been since you were last at DLR for the holidays, but if you take a peek at the Disneyland at Christmas/Holiday Season Superthread (scroll down through the info/photo posts on page 1 of the thread), you might notice if there are any events or things that are new since you were last there. Please free to pop in over there and ask us any questions as well!

In addition to what figment_jii mentioned above, the Grand Californian Hotel has a large gingerbread house in the lobby that is supposedly going to come down after 1/6/15. I am not sure when the smaller gingerbread houses in Storytellers Café and White Water Snacks come down. Also, there are decorations at the Disneyland Hotel (that were new as of 2013) and if they are still up on 1/6, you can bet that they will come down as soon as 1/6 is over.

I am guessing that the Jingle Jangle Jamboree will probably be closed after 1/6.

Beyond 1/6, Haunted Mansion Holiday looks as though it will be open through 1/11 this year, and It's a Small World Holiday should be open through at least 1/23, if not a couple of days beyond.

Olaf's Frozen Ice Rink and the Winter Village in DTD will be open through February 22nd.

"Frozen Fun" officially kicks off in Hollywood Land in DCA on January 7th, but some of it will be open as a sneak peek prior to 1/7.

Most of the holiday decorations in both parks, at the hotels and in Downtown Disney will probably start to come down right after 1/6 (if not slightly before).

 

[emily94]

By the thread title I thought that you were going to be at Disneyland over Christmas or at Christmas time. I was surprised to open up the thread and see that it's a trip starting on January 6th!

I'm not sure how long it's been since you were last at DLR for the holidays, but if you take a peek at the Disneyland at Christmas/Holiday Season Superthread (scroll down through the info/photo posts on page 1 of the thread), you might notice if there are any events or things that are new since you were last there. Please free to pop in over there and ask us any questions as well!

In addition to what figment_jii mentioned above, the Grand Californian Hotel has a large gingerbread house in the lobby that is supposedly going to come down after 1/6/15. I am not sure when the smaller gingerbread houses in Storytellers Café and White Water Snacks come down. Also, there are decorations at the Disneyland Hotel (that were new as of 2013) and if they are still up on 1/6, you can bet that they will come down as soon as 1/6 is over.

I am guessing that the Jingle Jangle Jamboree will probably be closed after 1/6.

Beyond 1/6, Haunted Mansion Holiday looks as though it will be open through 1/11 this year, and It's a Small World Holiday should be open through at least 1/23, if not a couple of days beyond.

Olaf's Frozen Ice Rink and the Winter Village in DTD will be open through February 22nd.

"Frozen Fun" officially kicks off in Hollywood Land in DCA on January 7th, but some of it will be open as a sneak peek prior to 1/7.

Most of the holiday decorations in both parks, at the hotels and in Downtown Disney will probably start to come down right after 1/6 (if not slightly before).

Thank you Sherry! I did not know about the gingerbread houses at the Grand Californian, I will definitely have to check those out

 

[Sherry E]

Thank you Sherry! I did not know about the gingerbread houses at the Grand Californian, I will definitely have to check those out

You're welcome!

Yes, the giant gingerbread house in the GCH lobby is new as of this year. The smaller gingerbread house in Storytellers Café is there every year (a different version each year), as is the one in White Water Snacks.

There is also a giant (fake) gingerbread Castle in the lobby of the Disneyland Hotel's Fantasy Tower. It debuted in 2013 and is back this year.

In this post, you will find links to articles about the GCH lobby gingerbread house -- and all of the thumbnail photos in the post were taken of the other decorations at the 3 hotels (including in the restaurants, etc.).

I should mention that, in the past, some reports have stated that the hotels' decorations began to come down right after the New Year, but I think that the GCH gingerbread house in the lobby will probably stay up through 1/6.

I also should mention that there is a slight possibility -- though I don't want to get anyone's hopes up -- that many of the parks' decorations and other holiday merriment could perhaps, maybe, stay up through Sunday, January 11th. I think that Disney is anticipating a lot of people coming to the parks for "Frozen Fun" beginning on 1/7, and a lot of local kids go back to school on 1/12.

Since it appears that Haunted Mansion Holiday will be open though 1/11, I wouldn't be shocked if some other New Orleans Square décor remains in place for a bit longer as well. I would not expect this to be a trend if it happens -- I think that, in most years, when the holiday season ends most things will begin to come down. This time around I can picture some things possibly staying up longer than usual, but we'll see what happens.

I would still try to hit as many of the aforementioned holiday-specific things as possible on 1/6, though!

 

[YukonMommy]

Check out the Xmas décor in Carsland, it is really well done!
Go on the Jingle Cruise and pop into the Jingle Jangle Jamboree so you can say you have!
I would also take time for the parade as the gingerbread men are so cute!
If you have time pick either the WOC or the Fireworks, always a good show.
I would also recommend the IASW light up in the evening (that is so not whats its called but I hope you know what I mean!) and taking the time to admire the castle at night when its all lite up!

If you have a bit of extra time there is nothing better than being able to take in the décor in general, we went last year and my Mom and I spent a good 20 minutes just staring at decor on Mainstreet.

Have a magical time!

 

[Sherry E]

It's a Small World Holiday will be open beyond 1/6 for sure, as I mentioned in my post above, so I would not focus on that on 1/6/15 if all of the other things we have suggested (that are set to close after 1/6) keep you busy. There is plenty of time for IASWH after 1/6.