November 2024 Check in Thread

[BK2014]

Christmas decorations started going up a couple of weeks ago.

Oh, good to know. I thought they would at least wait until after Halloween. My wife will be most pleased. Thanks!

 

[LKing]

Oh, good to know. I thought they would at least wait until after Halloween. My wife will be most pleased. Thanks!

It takes a long time to work their way through the park. I think they castle is one of the first to change. It gets snow, then icicles. Next is Toontown. Small World Holiday is opening in a couple of weeks so they are working on that.

You should also be able to find some holiday themed treats.

 

[BK2014]

Is there a way to look up what time the fireworks at DL will be on 11/15? I tried searching in the app but can only find today's showtimes. Trying to figure out if we can do the 8:00pm WOC dessert party and see the fireworks since I think that will be the only night they have them while we are there.

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

Is there a way to look up what time the fireworks at DL will be on 11/15? I tried searching in the app but can only find today's showtimes. Trying to figure out if we can do the 8:00pm WOC dessert party and see the fireworks since I think that will be the only night they have them while we are there.

The DL website does have fireworks and WOC times for 11/15. Be aware your 8:00pm WOC dessert party is for the 9:00pm show. Fireworks in DL are at 9:30pm. You won't be able to do both the same night.

 

[Elsaspiritanimal]

I’m arriving Nov 10. Is anyone else planning to wear their Christmas/Holiday gear that week even though the festivities don’t start till the 15th? Trying to decide which things to pack!

 

[LKing]

LOL, I'm wearing holiday clothing tomorrow! I'm so happy Halloween is over. Starting it in a August was too much for me.

 

[StarlitNight05]

So we got a HMH virtual queue that needs to be redeemed by 11:35, but we are back in our room before we hop to DCA, so we won't be redeeming in time. I did a screenshot of the QR codes in case they disappear. We plan to hop back to DL in the evening so I'll give them a try then. DH seems reluctant to try, but I told him that many (most?) from the DISboards have been admitted late no issue. I'll report back!

Update: We were able to redeem our expired virtual queues...the CM didn't seem to care at all (we didn't say anything about it being expired)

 

[BK2014]

The DL website does have fireworks and WOC times for 11/15. Be aware your 8:00pm WOC dessert party is for the 9:00pm show. Fireworks in DL are at 9:30pm. You won't be able to do both the same night.

Thanks!

 

[LKing]

LOL, I'm wearing holiday clothing tomorrow! I'm so happy Halloween is over. Starting it in a August was too much for me.

Following up on this. It was raining today and I think that caught a lot of visitors off guard. As a result, a lot of people needed to purchase warmer clothing. I saw a lot of holiday sweatshirts, hats and jackets. There was still a decent amount of Halloween in the stores and some Halloween decorations were still up. The castle has snow and icicles but they were not lit up tonight.

 

[Elsaspiritanimal]

Following up on this. It was raining today and I think that caught a lot of visitors off guard. As a result, a lot of people needed to purchase warmer clothing. I saw a lot of holiday sweatshirts, hats and jackets. There was still a decent amount of Halloween in the stores and some Halloween decorations were still up. The castle has snow and icicles but they were not lit up tonight.

Thanks for the updates!! Can’t wait until they turn on the lights! And glad I won’t be the only one in Holiday gear lol.

 

[dragonfire989]

My wife, son, and I will be there from the 14th through the 16th. It will be our son's first time at Disneyland, and it’s been over 10 years since we've visited ourselves.

We are staying at the grand Californian

 

[limace]

Just spontaneously booked a day this week-activated my first ever magic key on a visit with my son in August. Back down to visit a kid in college, go to Palm Springs and visit a friend in Mexico-and she suggested we return to the US a couple days before my flight home to go to DL. Last visit was at VDH and this one will be at a Motel 6 but we will have a blast-going on Thursday the 7th. Just made a park reservation for the 6th as well with the hope of getting a TBA preview.

 

[limace]

Just spontaneously booked a day this week-activated my first ever magic key on a visit with my son in August. Back down to visit a kid in college, go to Palm Springs and visit a friend in Mexico-and she suggested we return to the US a couple days before my flight home to go to DL. Last visit was at VDH and this one will be at a Motel 6 but we will have a blast-going on Thursday the 7th. Just made a park reservation for the 6th as well with the hope of getting a TBA preview.

And woohoo! Was just able to book Wednesday night with points at VDH!

 

[shelbel95]

Just wanted to post that we just returned home after being at Disneyland 11/1-11/6 - feel free to tag me if you have any specific questions. We stayed at Pixar Place, had 4 park days, park hopper tickets, with lightning lane.

 

[crystal1313]

Just wanted to post that we just returned home after being at Disneyland 11/1-11/6 - feel free to tag me if you have any specific questions. We stayed at Pixar Place, had 4 park days, park hopper tickets, with lightning lane.

How were the elevators at Pixar place during peak times? Did you enjoy your stay? Hope you had an amazing trip!!

 

[shelbel95]

How were the elevators at Pixar place during peak times? Did you enjoy your stay? Hope you had an amazing trip!!

We did enjoy our stay very much - Pixar Place is clean, decorated nicely, and staffed with very nice cast members. And the proximity to the parks is nice, especially with the dedicated security entrances. But....

The elevators at Pixar Place were not great. When we checked in (very late Friday night), the cast member at the front desk explained how they worked and said, "whatever you do, resist the urge to keep entering your destination if an elevator has not yet arrived." In concept, the elevators should be pretty efficient and I can see how it could work well. In practice, there are too many people who can't "resist the urge" unfortunately, so it made it especially painful at certain times of the day. During a couple busy times returning from the parks, there were cast members manning the keypads in the lobby to help get guests up quicker. That was helpful. I did ask about a stairwell we could use one morning when we were trying to go down, but was told they only had an emergency outdoor staircase.... not sure how true that is, but we were on the 9th floor, so it would've been painful going up OR down. But I would've tried it at least once LOL

One other downside for us at Pixar Place was the lack of places to get food or drinks at certain times. We did an afternoon pool break one day and the snack bar at the pool closed from 2-5 pm for "seasonal hours" - during the same time, the only restaurant/bar on site was also closed 2-5 pm. So the only options for a drink were 3 types of (not-so-tasty) beers from the grab and go cafe or gift shop. AND, the on site restaurant/bar closed at 9 pm, so when we wanted to stop for a nightcap one evening after returning from the parks, we were turned away at 9:05 when we hoped to grab a drink to take back to our room (I get it - it was past closing time, we just didn't expect a bar to close so early).

We had a wonderful time and the price was a little more palatable at Pixar Place, but I think the other two Disney owned properties there would've given us more of the "Disney resort" feel we're used to in Florida, just based on our quick visits to each (we went to Trader Sam's at the Disneyland Hotel and walked through Grand California multiple times going in and out of the parks).

 

[LKing]

Just an update that the Christmas trees are up in both parks now.

 

[Malcon10t]

Late to the game, but we will be down for opening of the Holiday season next Friday, then back for Thanksgiving week!

 

[B3rlingirl]

Wow.
I just did the „Walt‘s Main Street tour“ and it was so good…
Price is pretty steep, but I booked the 2 pm tour and we were able to watch the parade from Walt’s apartment through the window and the last half from Walt’s patio just like Walt used to do… that was such a special moment…
Tour guide (Victor) was great as well and is a real Disney nerd and had some fun story’s to tell as well…and with this tour you can actually walk around in the apartment (guide told us this wasn’t the case with the prior tours)

Watching the parade from up there was just so cool and emotional… I felt like a true VIP…


But boy, park is soo packed… it’s crazy…
My mom wanted a striped Christmas sweater but hasn’t bought one on day one because she wanted to check out other designs before finally deciding…
And now the small/extra small sizes seem to be sold out everywhere we looked…(yes, I repeatedly told her that this might happen on the first weekend… But she was like: „there are sooo many of them, I am sure I‘ll be able to get one later“… apparently there were not enough though) I guess she‘ll have to wait for next year now…

 

[MissMindy1984]

Checking-in to see how everyone's November trips have gone so far?! How have the crowds been this week?! I will be at Disneyland on Saturday. It's my 1st time visiting during the holidays. Super excited but a little nervous for the bigger crowds! Most excited for the parade and the treats!