Must dos for Christmastime trip?

[mrslamb]

We are surprising our girls, ages 2 and 6 with a 3 day trip to Disneyland in December! So excited! We will drive down early on the 9th and drive home on the 12th. We have taken them once before, last November. We are going with my mom and dad (in their 60s) and two sisters (in their 20s) as well. All adults in the group have been to Disneyland quite a few times but none of us has EVER gone during the Christmas season! What are some must-dos or must-sees? Or must-eats, lol? Thanks!!!

 

[julieheyer]

This is our first time in DL for Christmas (did WDW a few years ago at Christmas). My main Christmasy focus is Small World Holiday, snow on Main St and the Fireworks for Christmas. Also the parade is supposed to be extra special.

If you go over to the Christmas thread there are loads of pictures of all the decorations and Santa section which will give you loads of ideas too!

The gingerbread beignets sound like keepers too!

 

[vbecky]

Would also be interested in this for this is first visit to DL at Christmas time!!

 

[junmatno]

You have to check out the parade, Haunted Mansion Holiday, the snowfall is nice, BUT, extremely crowded in those areas for two little ones...you'd have to cop a squat very early to guarantee a comfortable area for you all. A tip for HMH, ride it DURING Fantasmic, as people are distracted. Be prepare for a long wait for Small World Holiday, so you might want to do that first. Regardless if the snow fall, Fireworks are a MUST SEE for your little ones, I love them and tear up every time. Have fun!!

 

[jkh1978]

If I'm from an area that experiences snow, is the snowfall lame or is there more show to it?

I've seen the soap bubbles at DHS and wasn't impressed because it wasn't special to me.

 

[Eeee-va]

Gingerbread Mickeys!

In 2011 they were available in the bakery area of Pooh's Corner in Critter Country. I never tried the ones with the colored chocolate/candy ears as I prefer chocolate chocolate.

Whether the snow is lame will probably depend on your mood and viewpoint. Many people are amazed by it, and if you're experiencing a magical trip with family/loved ones, I imagine you'd think it was great, bubbles or not, unless you just really hate the idea. If you're not in a good mood, are missing someone, or just aren't into the season (or if you hate soap bubble snow), then it may not be as neat.

This was after fireworks when they had the snow--you can't really see the snow but it appears some people were wowed and others were less impressed.

 

[junmatno]

If I'm from an area that experiences snow, is the snowfall lame or is there more show to it?

I've seen the soap bubbles at DHS and wasn't impressed because it wasn't special to me.

It's the same thing...that's why we never try to get in that area.

 

[junmatno]

If I'm from an area that experiences snow, is the snowfall lame or is there more show to it?

I've seen the soap bubbles at DHS and wasn't impressed because it wasn't special to me.

It's the same thing, that's why we never fight the crowd to get into that area, I can do better things with my DL time : )

 

[tinkerbelt]

Must dos:

Fireworks!! I can't recommend them enough. They are my favorite part of Christmas!

Castle lighting ceremony (they do this a couple times a night, and it snows when they do it).

Christmas parade

IASW light show. IASW lights up to the Russian Dance from the Nutcracker. They do it every quarter hour starting a 6pm (I think).

 

[Crazy4Disney06]

I am from Oregon where we get our fare share of snow and even though I have not seen the snow at DL we did get to see it had Disney Studio's at WDW last December and our family LOVED it! Not sure why anyone would consider it LAME.

 

[Halloweenqueen]

First thing you have to do is run over to one the BEST Disneyland threads on the DIS....Sherry's Christmas Super Thread!

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2612827

Tons of pictures, lots of information on all the special events and offerings.

My two favorites are the Big Thunder Christmas area (used to be Reindeer Roundup, this year ????) and the Parade.