Holiday "inbetween" Time

[Tif]

My family will be going to Disneyland November 1st-8th this year. Halloween celebrations end the day before we arrive and Christmas doesn't officially begin there until November 12th this year. I know there will be at least *some* holiday activities because 2 of my kids are in the ABC parade so I would presume at least their parade route will be decorated for Christmas.

Has anyone been there during this time? How much of the park do you think will be decorated while we're there? Do the characters have their Christmas costumes on yet? Have the shows (like the fireworks for example) transitioned yet? OR, do they save all of that until the official start date and we'll just be stuck in the mid-decoration phase the whole trip?

I've seen the holidays there, but my kiddos haven't so I'm just trying to see what I should expect. I don't want to get their hopes built up for a lit up castle and Small World and snow at the end of the fireworks if none of that is really going to happen until after we leave. LOL

 

[StyledSugar]

We were there last year at the same time and no, not all of the decorations were up and the parade and fireworks were not the holiday ones. The castle had the majority of the decorations on it and main street had some but not many. We did enjoy going in everyday and seeing more and more decorations each morning but by the time we left they still had quite a bit to put up still.

We were there during the parade day as well but never went to the taping. I believe it was raining that day but I could be wrong. I do know we walked by GCH and Christina Aguilara was getting ready to perform. We didn't watch it as it was our last day in the park and we'd rather do that than watch her.

The slow transition from Halloween to Christmas is what made us want to do a Christmas trip this year. We had a little "taste" of Christmastime in Dl and now we want the whole thing! Have fun on your trip!!

 

[Tif]

We're staying in the GCH so maybe we can just listen to people from there. I'm a little scared of the crowds. I just found something online saying it was a good time for celebrity sightings .... I wonder if that's enough to draw a lot of people. The more I look into it, the more crazy I worry it may be.

I think the kids will be happy to see even some of the lights going up. Though I've seen it when everything is done and its SO magical! But I suppose that just leaves us something to look forward to another time. Maybe I'll just make it a game .... Who can spot the new decorations today?

 

[MissMichigan]

I was there last year for Halloween (around 20 october, I think) and there was already noticeable Christmas stuff up. By the time I left, the castle was pretty much done except for the lights, and New Orleans square was mostly done. There was even Christmas merchandise for sale already. Also, Haunted Mansion will already be totally done, since that goes through both Halloween and Christmas with no in-between. Given what I saw in October, i'm willing to bet that that close to the official season start there would be a lot more. Not ALL of it, but a lot. I'd think not the fireworks or parade, or characters in the outfits.

 

[marciemouse]

Does anyone know when the Christmas parade taping is? We are spending one night by DL before our Wonder cruise on November 4th. We weren't planning to do parks, but I'd be interested in catching some of the tapings at the GC.

 

[MamaEnVee]

We just booked November 7-15 and are doing MVMCP on the 12th. There is also one on the 9th that was an option for us so the holiday decor will be up for sure by then.

 

[rosie2283]

We just booked November 7-15 and are doing MVMCP on the 12th. There is also one on the 9th that was an option for us so the holiday decor will be up for sure by then.

Are you going to DL or WDW? I am in DL for almost the same dates and haven't heard or seen anything about the MVMCP.

 

[MissMichigan]

Are you going to DL or WDW? I am in DL for almost the same dates and haven't heard or seen anything about the MVMCP.

There isn't a MVMCP at DL...at least not that i've seen or heard anything about.

 

[MamaEnVee]

Oops, didn't read it before responding. Shame on me, my biggest pet peeve is people who calls WDW Disneyland. Apologies.

 

[Tif]

Does anyone know when the Christmas parade taping is? We are spending one night by DL before our Wonder cruise on November 4th. We weren't planning to do parks, but I'd be interested in catching some of the tapings at the GC.

We haven't gotten any exact times yet. The full schedule won't be released to us until 2-3 weeks before the event. Saturday the 3rd is the day for the taping. If you plan to watch any of it, its required that you wear christmas colors. November 4th is the back-up day for taping if there is bad weather on the 3rd or a celebrity can't make it for any reason.