OFFICIAL CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY SEASON & NEW YEAR'S 2017 THREAD

Hi! :wave2: We are headed to the parks Dec 2! Haven't been in over a year and are happy to keep our DL trip at Xmastime tradition alive! Been going every year since 2008!
 
So happy to see that everyone got rewarded for their hard work with their reservations. We are going to have lots of fun during our visit, too.
Dec. 27 (arrival day) Ralph Brennans at 5:30 - first time
Dec. 28 WOC dessert party
Dec. 29 Fantasmic premier dining at River Belle Terrace - first time for Fantasmic at DL
Dec. 30 lunch at Carthay Circle - first time
Dec. 31 breakfast with Minnie at Plaza Inn, Cafe Orleans for late lunch and Tomorrowland Lounge New Year's Experience - was initially shocked with the price increase for that day and only ressies for 2 available, I made one online and called to get another for all four of us

So excited to have some fun experiences reserved to get a break from the crowds. Cannot wait until Christmas morning to surprise our kids! I've almost let something slip a couple of times. :)
 
Thanks i did not know that they had increased. Although it does not change my plans i like to know how much i will spend on character/sit down restaurants and try and get some GC to pay for them.
Was not aware of this. When did you notice it? Not too surprised with Holiday time and whatever improvements have been made.
 

Was not aware of this. When did you notice it? Not too surprised with Holiday time and whatever improvements have been made.
Just yesterday when I was making an online reservation for BB Fantasmic. I had already booked my reservation for RBT on the 22nd but it wasn't mentioned nor did I ask at the time.
 
I have been watching this thread for weeks but I just realized I never posted on it! We will be going to the park November 14th-16th and staying at the DLH. We are sooooo excited! My husband and I went for our honeymoon but this is the first time our son will be going! Has anyone been during these dates? Is it usually super crazy busy the week before Thanksgiving? It isnt an AP blackout which worries me a little.
 
surprising the kids Christmas MORNING!!! I can hardly wait!!! they will open up a present that states... we are leaving in two hours for DISNEY. . They haven't been in almost three years. It is SOOOO hard for me to keep this a secret. Dec. 25-Jan 2

We surprised ours three years ago with leaving for WDW in the afternoon of Christmas. They were not too happy to not have time to play with their new toys. :( This year we are giving them a couple of days to play with their toys before we leave. Last time we wrapped one big box with a princess balloon and a Mickey balloon tied to small Mickey and Minnie Christmas plush with a tag telling them they were going to WDW. We expected loud screaming and jumping up and down, but it took it a long time to soak in what the present actually was. We hope this year is more exciting. We are wrapping separate gifts with medium Christmas plush Goofy and Minnie, personalized blankets that were forty percent off on the Disney site and some t shirts. It has almost been four years since we have visited DL. My husband and I are super excited and know we will all have so much fun. Good luck with your surprise!
 
We were hoping to enjoy the Christmas carolers in GC lobby after dinner our first night at DL. We are staying off property this visit because it will be free. Does anyone know if it will be possible to do this and check out the trees in all of the resorts with all of the new security? Maybe if we show them our DL tickets?
 
We are excited to be headed to DL 12/10-12/15! We are getting APs again after a 1+ year break, and I have a feeling this might be our last one, depending on how crazy the prices will be once SWL opens. So we are going to enjoy the year of AP while we can! I plan on getting Maxpass for myself (DH does not do high intensity rides anymore). This will be so useful as I tend to rope drop and hit the rides hard for a few hours until I meet up with DH later in the morning, and I don't have to plan as much around afternoon FPs, since I can just keep an eye on the app and book one when convenient. We tend to prefer CS (Plaza Inn, yum) but I booked RBT for Fantasmic! and Carthay Circle lunch for WOC. We will also definitely be seeing The Last Jedi on opening day at AMC. We did this a couple years ago for TFA and it was so much fun! I will be sad when they close the theater, it was becoming a nice little tradition for us to see a new SW movie at DL.
 
We were hoping to enjoy the Christmas carolers in GC lobby after dinner our first night at DL. We are staying off property this visit because it will be free. Does anyone know if it will be possible to do this and check out the trees in all of the resorts with all of the new security? Maybe if we show them our DL tickets?
If you enter from DTD you will be fine.
 
We were hoping to enjoy the Christmas carolers in GC lobby after dinner our first night at DL. We are staying off property this visit because it will be free. Does anyone know if it will be possible to do this and check out the trees in all of the resorts with all of the new security? Maybe if we show them our DL tickets?

You can't enter GCH from the front door without a hotel or restaurant reservation. You can enter via the exit from DCA or from DTD with no issues.
 
From the disneyland web site for the new Festival of Holidays menus:

Nosh your way through holiday favorites in a culinary celebration of different cuisines and traditions. From belly-loving bites to spirited libations and decadent desserts—there’s a world of possibilities to please your palate at these Festive Foods Marketplace kiosks during Disney Festival of Holidays, happening November 10, 2017 to January 7, 2018 at Disney California Adventure Park.

  • Chips, Breads & Holiday Spreads is serving up the upper crust of holiday helpings
  • Making Spirits Bright fizzes with celebratory toasts and festive clinks
  • Joy to the Sauce spreads joy to the world with seasonal favorites accompanied by savory holiday sauces
  • Spicy Celebrations heats things up with delicious dishes featuring a festive kick
  • Brews & Bites brings smiles aplenty with frosty beers and tasty snacks
  • Holiday Duets harmonizes with perfect pairings curated for your culinary delight
  • Classic Crocks & Casseroles fills hungry bellies with comfort foods galore
  • Blissfully Braised slow-cooks savory favorites full of flavor
  • A Twist on Tradition tickles palates with tempting twists on holiday classics
  • Winter Sliderland doles out hand-held helpings to make the season bright
  • Grandma’s Recipes takes you home for the holidays with time-honored treats
  • Festive Holiday Extras offers decadently delicious side dishes that pair perfectly with any meal
Delight in unique menus at all 12 marketplace kiosks at different locations around the park—a celebration of diverse cuisines, cultures and traditions.
 
I keep looking at the schedule for December and it looks like no fireworks or parades in DL? Do they generally decide on these things closer to the dates?
 
I keep looking at the schedule for December and it looks like no fireworks or parades in DL? Do they generally decide on these things closer to the dates?
They've been fairly slow to fill in. The Christmas Parade and fireworks should be running daily.
 
I keep looking at the schedule for December and it looks like no fireworks or parades in DL? Do they generally decide on these things closer to the dates?

I show the parade and fireworks when I look at the schedule, up to the 16th.
 
We surprised our kids when we went to WDW and had the same reaction.
I like to think I do not spoil DD to much but obviously I do because whenever I tell her we are going to Disneyland I just get a "cool, ok" . She is excited but it is never like the first time. She loves going but I think she already just expects it. I guess she really is spoiled.
 












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