Had to Cancel June trip.... :( Help with December

[Renae De Liz]

I am so very heartbroken, we just had to cancel our plan to go to DL at the end of this month because I unexpectedly got really sick and had to stay in the hospital awhile, and now it seems I won't be up to park-going that soon. I'm so sad, my family and I are in desperate need of some "us" time, and it's been 3 years since we had any sort of vacation. This was supposed to be my husbands 30th birthday trip too

Anyway, on a happier note, now we're planning to go in December. I am very excited about this, though the wait will kill me! This will be our first Christmas Disney Trip. I have some questions!

1. Will Fantasmic still be going on in December?
2. Will the Electric Parade be going on in December?
3. What is the best time to go in December? I want to avoid the crowds of course, but more important is to not have ANY ride closures if it can be helped. Would going mid-December mean refurbishments?
4. I am not looking forward to Haunted Mansion Holiday in particular, does it at least have some of the same Haunted Mansion music?
5. Any special Christmas activities/things to look out for?
6. Staying at GCH, any special Christmas in-room celebrations?

Thank you!

 

[A Small World]

Sorry you have been sick and had to cancel but glad you are feeling better now and able to plan another trip.

Christmas at Disney is wonderful theres so much going on and different things to see.
Have a look at the Christmas Superthread

We went last year from 9th to 14th Dec and everything was up and running.

I loved Haunted Mansion but have only seen it as holiday HM as my other trip was Halloween

Fantasmic definitely shows in December and so does WOC. There are the fireworks with snow afterwards, giant Christmas trees and decorations everywhere and lots of special Christmas food treats

We stayed at GC as well and there is a giant tree in the lobby and carollers there as well as visits from Santa.

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

I am so very heartbroken, we just had to cancel our plan to go to DL at the end of this month because I unexpectedly got really sick and had to stay in the hospital awhile, and now it seems I won't be up to park-going that soon. I'm so sad, my family and I are in desperate need of some "us" time, and it's been 3 years since we had any sort of vacation. This was supposed to be my husbands 30th birthday trip too

Anyway, on a happier note, now we're planning to go in December. I am very excited about this, though the wait will kill me! This will be our first Christmas Disney Trip. I have some questions!

1. Will Fantasmic still be going on in December?
2. Will the Electric Parade be going on in December?
3. What is the best time to go in December? I want to avoid the crowds of course, but more important is to not have ANY ride closures if it can be helped. Would going mid-December mean refurbishments?
4. I am not looking forward to Haunted Mansion Holiday in particular, does it at least have some of the same Haunted Mansion music?
5. Any special Christmas activities/things to look out for?
6. Staying at GCH, any special Christmas in-room celebrations?

Thank you!

1. Yes, Fantasmic should still be going in December.

2. The Electric Parade was shipped off to Florida quite some time ago during the DCA refurb, and there is no word that it will be returning.

3. I have only been in December twice. The period from Christmas Eve through New Year's is crazy, crazy busy. The time a little before or a little after that week is crazy busy. The first half of December is reported to be decent although you need to watch out for special events like CM parties and the Candlelight Processional. We went several years ago around Dec 18-22, and that worked really well for us. Crowd patterns have changed since then though, so I can't say what it has been like in the last few years.

4. HMH has music from The Nightmare Before Christmas movie. We find it a fun change of pace since we are fortunate enough to get to go to Disneyland a few times a year. I can understand how it might be disappointing to someone who doesn't get to go often. Regular HM is one of my friend's very favorite rides, but for her first return trip to Disneyland after many years away she had to experience HMH. She found it more enjoyable than she expected and then just made sure to return for a different season a couple years later to enjoy the traditional HM.

5. Santa will be at the cabin in Big Thunder Ranch. Many of the characters will be dressed in their holiday best. There will be many, many opportunities to hear Christmas music and see decorations. Special foods. Special merchandise. Check out the holiday thread hear on the Dis; it's full of great stuff about that time of year.

6. Haven't done any of the in-room celebrations, but I'm pretty sure they add some special holiday options at that time of year such as a small Christmas tree or stockings you can have delivered to your room. As a frequent visitor, these kinds of frills are usually too pricey for us to consider, so I'm not real familiar with what's available.

 

[DisneytheKid]

It looks like the last poster did a great answering your questions. I'll just add that I absolutely love Shetland at Christmas time! You'll have a great time and it is so worth the wait! I hope you are feeling better and have a great trip!

1. Yes, Fantasmic should still be going in December.

2. The Electric Parade was shipped off to Florida quite some time ago during the DCA refurb, and there is no word that it will be returning.

3. I have only been in December twice. The period from Christmas Eve through New Year's is crazy, crazy busy. The time a little before or a little after that week is crazy busy. The first half of December is reported to be decent although you need to watch out for special events like CM parties and the Candlelight Processional. We went several years ago around Dec 18-22, and that worked really well for us. Crowd patterns have changed since then though, so I can't say what it has been like in the last few years.

4. HMH has music from The Nightmare Before Christmas movie. We find it a fun change of pace since we are fortunate enough to get to go to Disneyland a few times a year. I can understand how it might be disappointing to someone who doesn't get to go often. Regular HM is one of my friend's very favorite rides, but for her first return trip to Disneyland after many years away she had to experience HMH. She found it more enjoyable than she expected and then just made sure to return for a different season a couple years later to enjoy the traditional HM.

5. Santa will be at the cabin in Big Thunder Ranch. Many of the characters will be dressed in their holiday best. There will be many, many opportunities to hear Christmas music and see decorations. Special foods. Special merchandise. Check out the holiday thread hear on the Dis; it's full of great stuff about that time of year.

6. Haven't done any of the in-room celebrations, but I'm pretty sure they add some special holiday options at that time of year such as a small Christmas tree or stockings you can have delivered to your room. As a frequent visitor, these kinds of frills are usually too pricey for us to consider, so I'm not real familiar with what's available.

 

[Escape2Disney]

Also keep an eye out for information about the Holiday parade. I hear it's a fun one!

There will be a different parade and (I think) different fireworks. We went once at Thanksgiving, and the Christmas parade and fireworks were already running. The parade was quite impressive! I don't remember much about the fireworks.

 

[rtfelt]

The fireworks are generally different for Christmas and if you want to experience "snow" in S. CA be situated in Main Street for the fireworks. The TomorrowLand side of the street is generally better.

4. HM Holiday Nightmare Before Christmas is NOT my favorite either, but it's all you get this time of year.

5. along with Santa they also have the reindeer in the Big Thunder Ranch.

I love Disneyland at Christmas time. The decorations and magic are wonderful, but just as someone else posted check for special closings and events that will affect attendance.