Santa Locations in DLR & Update on Holiday Crowds

[Sherry E]

Just thought I would pass on this info I just got regarding where to find Santa at DLR and the lack of people making PS's for dining this holiday season.

I just called to make my PS's (well, some of them) for my trip on the Dec. 19th - 22nd weekend. While I was chatting with the CM on the phone who took my PS info, she revealed that Santa is actually in all three hotels! Several folks on DISboards have asked before where Santa can be found, and it was previously thought that he was only at the Reindeer Round-Up in DL, the Beach Blast in DCA and at the GCH. It turns out that, as we already know, Santa is not in DCA this year (surprising that they aren't putting him somewhere there), but he will be at the Reindeer Round-Up as well as the GCH, the PPH and the DLH! The Dining CM looked on her schedule and she said that Santa will be at the PPH in the mornings every day until Christmas, then he will be at the DLH in the late afternoons and at the GCH at night, like between 6:00 - 8:30 p.m., in 45-minute intervals (he has to take a break every 45 minutes!). SO there are lots of places to find Santa this year!

Anyway, I also asked the Dining CM about what the crowds were like this year. The hotels have availability for even just a couple of weeks from now, and she said that busy restaurants like Goofy's and the other character meals have lots of PS openings. She said they are "strangely open and available." So, I think the economy is affecting people in a variety of ways. Even if people are packing into the parks, they seem to not be booking the DLR hotels as much as they did, and they are not booking as many PS's for the popular, expensive character meals as they once did. Even October had more PS bookings at Goofy's than December seems to have, probably because it was the off-peak, less expensive season. But that doesn't necessarily mean that people are staying away from DL. They might be there, but they are finding other places to stay and other places to eat! I bet the overall park attendance will be down a little from previous years too, though.

 

[Krissy Marissy]

This is interesting indeed. I didn't make any PS's cause DH and I are not sure what our plan is just yet as I may drag him around the park and go full on comando style! It's good to know that we may be able to squeeze in somewhere should we decide to eat where a PS is needed. Thanks for the great info sherry!

 

[Sherry E]

What I did was, because I switched my DLR dates on a moment's notice, without even a day's worth of thought, I kind of got nervous that I had better make SOME sort of PS's because I don't want to end up being stuck waiting in the Carnation line for 45 minutes again like last December. So, because I was doing this hastily, assuming that all the 'good' PS times would be filled if I didn't hurry and call, I didn't really put much thought into where we were eating this time. I usually try to work in some new restaurants as well as the old favorites and think carefully about times to eat because I don't want it to be too close to the previous meal, and I also have to consider everyone's tastes. I just kind of jotted some stuff down on paper and some times and then called to make the PS's. I ended up making TWO PS's for TWO Goofy's meals (because not only is it my favorite, but my friend's fave also), and forgot that I had planned on trying to work in Minnie's (simply because my friend likes the Pooh characters) and Steakhouse 55. Once the CM told me that the character meal PS's were "strangely available" for December, I started looking at the times and restaurants I had booked and was not satisfied with all of my choices!!! So I have to go back over the list and see if there is anything I want to change or remove, and since there seems to be availability at these character meals, then maybe the regular restaurants will be available too and I can switch one or two of my choices!!! Like I picked WCT, for example, which I liked when we ate there, but if it is taking up a slot that could go to Steakhouse 55, then I would like to try Steakhouse 55 instead, since we have already eaten at WCT. Decisions, decisions.....

 

[TiggerNZ]

Hi Sherry

Just realised that your trip overlaps mine we get there on 18th and leave on the 20th - am hoping for not too busy at the parks, so your comments made me happy!

I called 60 days out to make my PS's (part of being insanely excited) and they had heaps of space then!

Not long to go now.......

 

[Krissy Marissy]

Well Sherry that sounds like quite the dilemma. But I would keep both Goofys because you know that'll make you happy. If I were you I would drop WCT and do Steakhouse 55 if it isn't too far to travel...I know that long walks have been an issue on previous trips and I am not sure who is traveling with you. I have done minnies a few times and I must say that the food at goofys is much better, hands down. And in fact if it weren't a character meal I wouldn't ever care to have breakfast there again. I love their lunch and dinner items at the plaza but breakfast wasn't great...not bad...just not great either. Oh and you must try carnation cafe again...dont let your bad experience be your last!

 

[Colfireman]

Well I'm doing my share. I booked Goofy's for Xmas Dinner and the following Sunday for bruch. I booked Carnation for Xmas morning, called 60 days out and was only offered 9:40 am. Got goofy's for 6:00pm though. Then i booked Blue for the Monday night at 9:00 for the dessert we have been waiting for.

 

[Sherry E]

Well Sherry that sounds like quite the dilemma. But I would keep both Goofys because you know that'll make you happy. If I were you I would drop WCT and do Steakhouse 55 if it isn't too far to travel...I know that long walks have been an issue on previous trips and I am not sure who is traveling with you. I have done minnies a few times and I must say that the food at goofys is much better, hands down. And in fact if it weren't a character meal I wouldn't ever care to have breakfast there again. I love their lunch and dinner items at the plaza but breakfast wasn't great...not bad...just not great either. Oh and you must try carnation cafe again...dont let your bad experience be your last!

Yep, it was my friend who gets the grumbles when a long walk is involved. I don't care about walking. I am used to walking all over the place, but she thinks the PPH hotel is 100 miles away and we have to leave DL early so we can make the long trek back! I would like to try Steakhouse 55. I just hadn't thought it all through when I made those PS's because the date switch was so sudden! I mean, WCT is good, but since we have already been there I would like to try something different. I wonder if I might get sick of Goofy's is I eat there two days in a row. I think we used to do that back in the '90s and it was okay, but I don't know if I would tire of it now. But I was really on the fence about Minnie's because, as you say, breakfast is not that great. And from what I hear, it is kind of chaotic in terms of little ones running after characters to and fro. It would really just be for different characters more than the food that we would go there. But, I should just stick with what I know works for us and not tempt fate!!! I think I will skip Minnie's! Oh well, it will all work out one way or the other! Maybe I will be lucky enough to see Corey Feldman!

Oh, and I did make a PS for Carnation!! We have had enough good experiences there over the years to let one bad one ruin it all...Just like I am giving the PPH another chance, despite their poopy water in room 513!!! They have been okay before, so I am sure it was just an 'off' weekend in October!

 

[Sherry E]

Well I'm doing my share. I booked Goofy's for Xmas Dinner and the following Sunday for bruch. I booked Carnation for Xmas morning, called 60 days out and was only offered 9:40 am. Got goofy's for 6:00pm though. Then i booked Blue for the Monday night at 9:00 for the dessert we have been waiting for.

Oh, are you going to get the Flying Dutchman or the creme brulee Tortuga Trio at Blue Bayou? I had the Dutchman. It was a LOT of dessert!

Yes, it sounds like you are definitely doing your part to contribute to the PS's with DL Dining! You have got some good restaurants picked for Christmas. I have never actually been to DLR on Christmas, so I wonder if the meals seem anymore special than usual. In any case, you almost can't go wrong with Goofy's and Carnation (I LOVE that apple pie a la mode with the whipped cream that they serve - and the Matterhorn sundae isn't bad, either!). Those are pretty much slam dunks (minus a few missteps here and there!).

 

[Sherry E]

Hi Sherry

Just realised that your trip overlaps mine we get there on 18th and leave on the 20th - am hoping for not too busy at the parks, so your comments made me happy!

I called 60 days out to make my PS's (part of being insanely excited) and they had heaps of space then!

Not long to go now.......

I saw that you were going to be there at the same time (sort of)!!! I remember when you were first making the plan to go to DLR with your son (you're stopping over on your way to the UK if I remember correctly, right?), but I had forgotten your dates! I JUST changed mine. I had been scheduled for 12/26 - 12/29, which was not my first choice because of crowd potential, but I just changed the dates yesterday when I found out my friend could free herself up the week before, and I could save $300 by switching weekends to 12/19 - 12/22, which is much better all around. Then I looked at one of the lists of who is going at the same time I am, and saw you will overlap! Krissy Marissy's trip to DLR will JUST narrowly miss mine!!!

TiggerNZ, I know you are going to Goofy's Kitchen - on what day are you eating there? I made my Goofy's PS's for the mornings of the 20th and the 21st. Are you, by any chance, eating there on the morning of the 20th (I know that is your last day in the park)??? That would be so wild if we ended up there at the same time and didn't realize it. The last time I was at DLR in October, another member of DIS stayed in room 514 of the same hotel where I was, and I was in room 513!!! Right across the hall, at the same exact time!!! And neither of us knew it! I was walking all around with my LGMH and never saw a LGMH on anyone else, nor did anyone approach me!

Yep, apparently there is space in terms of PS's and in terms of DLR hotel availability, for just a couple of weeks from now. People might be trying to find ways to do DLR for a lower price, so they stay at offsite hotels and eat less expensive meals, or bring their own food! So this doesn't necessarily mean the parks will be empty, but it seems like it may not be as crazy as previous years.

 

[TiggerNZ]

I saw that you were going to be there at the same time (sort of)!!! I remember when you were first making the plan to go to DLR with your son (you're stopping over on your way to the UK if I remember correctly, right?), but I had forgotten your dates! I JUST changed mine. I had been scheduled for 12/26 - 12/29, which was not my first choice because of crowd potential, but I just changed the dates yesterday when I found out my friend could free herself up the week before, and I could save $300 by switching weekends to 12/19 - 12/22, which is much better all around. Then I looked at one of the lists of who is going at the same time I am, and saw you will overlap! Krissy Marissy's trip to DLR will JUST narrowly miss mine!!!

TiggerNZ, I know you are going to Goofy's Kitchen - on what day are you eating there? I made my Goofy's PS's for the mornings of the 20th and the 21st. Are you, by any chance, eating there on the morning of the 20th (I know that is your last day in the park)??? That would be so wild if we ended up there at the same time and didn't realize it. The last time I was at DLR in October, another member of DIS stayed in room 514 of the same hotel where I was, and I was in room 513!!! Right across the hall, at the same exact time!!! And neither of us knew it! I was walking all around with my LGMH and never saw a LGMH on anyone else, nor did anyone approach me!

Yep, apparently there is space in terms of PS's and in terms of DLR hotel availability, for just a couple of weeks from now. People might be trying to find ways to do DLR for a lower price, so they stay at offsite hotels and eat less expensive meals, or bring their own food! So this doesn't necessarily mean the parks will be empty, but it seems like it may not be as crazy as previous years.

Wow - you have a great memory you are spot on - stopover on the way to the UK with my son.

Our Goofys PS's are for the 19th as that is the only full day we have - going to make it a good one!! starting with Goofys, and hopefully ending with Fantasmic if we can keep going (or take a break in between) think will make a little boy pretty happy!

Am currently trying to decide if its worth getting a 3-day hopper to allow us to go in on the morning of 20th - or just sleep-in a little, do DTD, grab hot choc at one of the hotels.....thoughts? we have to be gone from HoJos at 4pm for the airport, so prefer not to rush - is only about another $25 to get the 3 day hopper.....dilemmas dilemmas. Maybe I should book Goofys for that morning as well and wave at you

Have a great trip - must be nice to be able to bring it closer....lucky!

 

[Colfireman]

There is five of us in the mix so we are hoping to get them all and share desserts. I have never been to Carnation Cafe as well but we thought Mickey waffles on Christmas morning at the park would be special. I forgot to add we are suprising the kids with Christmas Eve Holiday tour as well. Everything is booked and paid for just the spending and food money...If only our dollar gets a bit better , then it wouldn't hurt so much on the old pocket book.

 

[Sherry E]

There is five of us in the mix so we are hoping to get them all and share desserts. I have never been to Carnation Cafe as well but we thought Mickey waffles on Christmas morning at the park would be special. I forgot to add we are suprising the kids with Christmas Eve Holiday tour as well. Everything is booked and paid for just the spending and food money...If only our dollar gets a bit better , then it wouldn't hurt so much on the old pocket book.

I know what you mean. I like to have as much paid for in advance as possible, and then just worry about food and other odds and ends. That Christmas Eve tour sounds great. That holiday tour is looking better and better to me all the time, for the fact that you can walk right onto HMH and IASWH, as well as getting the parade seats (we always skip the parades because we don't want to deal with trying to see over tall people) and the pin and all that. Plus, it's just cool to learn little bits of information about DLR which the tour guide will provide. But, you are right - a trip to DLR does hurt the old pocketbook! In this shaky financial time, I almost feel guilty for making a DLR plan at all, but the joy I get from it - especially during the holidays - outweighs everything else!

Carnation is a good little restaurant. It does not have a lot of seating, so the line tends to get long fast, which is why PS's are very handy. Otherwise, it could be a very long wait. Sometimes, during busy seasons and weekends, you can wait for ten minutes and sometimes 45! Also, Carnation does not have a LOT of menu options, but the few things it does have are quite tasty. I love the Mickey waffles and pancakes and all that - I grew up eating that kind of thing when I went to DLR - but now I tend to need a lot of protein early in the morning, and not so much in the way of carbs. So one complaint I have about Carnation is that whatever I ordered for breakfast (cannot remember what it was!) didn't have enough protein (or fruit) on the plate. It was kind of a small portion of eggs and sausage for me. That is one reason why I LOVE Goofy's - I can load up on the eggs (and delicious fruit) I want!!

Have a great time on Christmas eve and day!!! Your kids will have such a magical time!!

 

[Sherry E]

Wow - you have a great memory you are spot on - stopover on the way to the UK with my son.

Our Goofys PS's are for the 19th as that is the only full day we have - going to make it a good one!! starting with Goofys, and hopefully ending with Fantasmic if we can keep going (or take a break in between) think will make a little boy pretty happy!

Am currently trying to decide if its worth getting a 3-day hopper to allow us to go in on the morning of 20th - or just sleep-in a little, do DTD, grab hot choc at one of the hotels.....thoughts? we have to be gone from HoJos at 4pm for the airport, so prefer not to rush - is only about another $25 to get the 3 day hopper.....dilemmas dilemmas. Maybe I should book Goofys for that morning as well and wave at you

Have a great trip - must be nice to be able to bring it closer....lucky!

I have always amazed my friends with my freakishly good memory over the years, but as AGE sets in, my memory is getting a little fuzzy. It is still pretty good, but not what it used to be! For some reason, certain people's stories on DISboards stick out in my mind, so I remember them. I seem to remember a lot of the people who are taking their kids to DLR for the very first time (like you and also EmmersIsMommy, who is at DLR right this very moment with her family), and the ones who are doing special things for the kids like making up a scavenger hunt and keeping the DLR trip a secret and surprising the kids at the last minute, etc. I guess it reminds me in a way of how excited I was to go to DL for the first time as a kid, and how I could not wait to get back there every year after that!!! And the first time I saw DL around the holidays - that was just pure magic! So I can kind of imagine what your son and Emmers' kids will be experiencing because I remember my own elation at walking into DL for the first time and looking down Main Street at the Castle!

Well, here is my thinking on the issue of whether or not to get a 3-day Hopper. Is there a chance you will be coming back to DLR during the holidays again in the next couple of years, or do you pretty much have this one shot to try to hit as many things as possible? And is it possible to get up and out of the HoJo's room early on the morning of the 20th? See, your time is going to go very fast, and just in case the crowds are bad, you may have a hard time squeezing in what you want to do into under two full days. I would say that if you can manage to get yourself and son up really early on the 20th, and get packed and all that, spending the extra $25 or whatever it is to get a third day (half a day) out of it would be worth it. I mean, yes, I would say wander through DTD and all the DLR hotels if you can't afford to pay for the extra day, or if you had more days spent in the parks prior to that. But your time is SO limited, and there is SO much to see aside from rides in the parks. You have all that eating and shopping and character mingling and picture-taking to do, and time will fly right by! So I would say try to get as much time in the parks as possible and add on that 3rd day to your Hopper. DTD can be skipped. It is cute to see if you have the time for it, but when you are there for such a short visit, I would go in DL and DCA as much as possible before you head to the UK!

In a way I am happy about bringing the dates of my trip closer by a week. There were pros and cons to doing it, which I won't go into. The original weekend I planned was not my choice, but it also had some pros to it. The bottom line was money. When I realized I could save $300 by using my AP and getting the AP8 rate at the hotel, that is what sealed the deal! I will end up spending not much more to go in peak holiday season than what I spent in off-peak October! That is a great deal! But because the trip is so close now, it has kind of thrown me off kilter and I had to adjust and tweak things, and now have some other issues coming up to deal with before December 19th!!!

TiggerNZ, I would love to meet up with you while our trips to DLR overlap BUT I think you will be very, very busy in your brief time there and I don't want to interrupt that! I am not even sure what time on the 19th we will be arriving - probably early evening - but the Goofy's PS I made for the 20th is for 7:00 a.m. So, if by some fluke, you end up back at Goofy's on that morning, then look for me (I posted photos over on the 'PhotoPass Poses - the Cheesier the Better' so you will know what I look like and who to keep an eye out for!!) Have a fantastic time and make sure to let us all know how it goes when you get back!!!!

 

[TiggerNZ]

I have always amazed my friends with my freakishly good memory over the years, but as AGE sets in, my memory is getting a little fuzzy. It is still pretty good, but not what it used to be! For some reason, certain people's stories on DISboards stick out in my mind, so I remember them. I seem to remember a lot of the people who are taking their kids to DLR for the very first time (like you and also EmmersIsMommy, who is at DLR right this very moment with her family), and the ones who are doing special things for the kids like making up a scavenger hunt and keeping the DLR trip a secret and surprising the kids at the last minute, etc. I guess it reminds me in a way of how excited I was to go to DL for the first time as a kid, and how I could not wait to get back there every year after that!!! And the first time I saw DL around the holidays - that was just pure magic! So I can kind of imagine what your son and Emmers' kids will be experiencing because I remember my own elation at walking into DL for the first time and looking down Main Street at the Castle!

Well, here is my thinking on the issue of whether or not to get a 3-day Hopper. Is there a chance you will be coming back to DLR during the holidays again in the next couple of years, or do you pretty much have this one shot to try to hit as many things as possible? And is it possible to get up and out of the HoJo's room early on the morning of the 20th? See, your time is going to go very fast, and just in case the crowds are bad, you may have a hard time squeezing in what you want to do into under two full days. I would say that if you can manage to get yourself and son up really early on the 20th, and get packed and all that, spending the extra $25 or whatever it is to get a third day (half a day) out of it would be worth it. I mean, yes, I would say wander through DTD and all the DLR hotels if you can't afford to pay for the extra day, or if you had more days spent in the parks prior to that. But your time is SO limited, and there is SO much to see aside from rides in the parks. You have all that eating and shopping and character mingling and picture-taking to do, and time will fly right by! So I would say try to get as much time in the parks as possible and add on that 3rd day to your Hopper. DTD can be skipped. It is cute to see if you have the time for it, but when you are there for such a short visit, I would go in DL and DCA as much as possible before you head to the UK!

In a way I am happy about bringing the dates of my trip closer by a week. There were pros and cons to doing it, which I won't go into. The original weekend I planned was not my choice, but it also had some pros to it. The bottom line was money. When I realized I could save $300 by using my AP and getting the AP8 rate at the hotel, that is what sealed the deal! I will end up spending not much more to go in peak holiday season than what I spent in off-peak October! That is a great deal! But because the trip is so close now, it has kind of thrown me off kilter and I had to adjust and tweak things, and now have some other issues coming up to deal with before December 19th!!!

TiggerNZ, I would love to meet up with you while our trips to DLR overlap BUT I think you will be very, very busy in your brief time there and I don't want to interrupt that! I am not even sure what time on the 19th we will be arriving - probably early evening - but the Goofy's PS I made for the 20th is for 7:00 a.m. So, if by some fluke, you end up back at Goofy's on that morning, then look for me (I posted photos over on the 'PhotoPass Poses - the Cheesier the Better' so you will know what I look like and who to keep an eye out for!!) Have a fantastic time and make sure to let us all know how it goes when you get back!!!!

Thanks for the input - I almost agree that its too good an opportunity to miss - another 1/2 day in the park - but am also aware that we will have faced a 13hr flight from Auckland - 2 almost full days at the park, and are facing another 13hr flight to London (followed by a 4hr coach ride) I think the idea of sleeping in might not hurt.......plus don't want to push too hard and ruin it for my son. Perhaps another Character brekkie at a more relaxed hr, a little DTD sightseeing and back to LAX - otherwise I think I might try and cram too much into 3 days and we'll leave exhausted.

Just can't decide - and really need to as want to buy my tix soon - Argh - dilemmas

I'd love to met up to - but you're right, we only have a short time. maybe if we ever get back there for longer......

 

[Sherry E]

Thanks for the input - I almost agree that its too good an opportunity to miss - another 1/2 day in the park - but am also aware that we will have faced a 13hr flight from Auckland - 2 almost full days at the park, and are facing another 13hr flight to London (followed by a 4hr coach ride) I think the idea of sleeping in might not hurt.......plus don't want to push too hard and ruin it for my son. Perhaps another Character brekkie at a more relaxed hr, a little DTD sightseeing and back to LAX - otherwise I think I might try and cram too much into 3 days and we'll leave exhausted.

Just can't decide - and really need to as want to buy my tix soon - Argh - dilemmas

I'd love to met up to - but you're right, we only have a short time. maybe if we ever get back there for longer......

See, I prefer three days or 2-1/2 over two if I can swing it just for that reason - not cramming too much in and exhausting myself. It was SOOOO much better when we could pace ourselves over 2-1/2 days and spread everything out, take time for rest breaks, etc. Having 1-1/2 to 2 days was tough for us and we went on very few rides. But I don't have kids. That adds a whole different element to it. You have a young son, so you have to think of what will tire him out. Just remember, if you take him to A Bug's Land, ToonTown (to meet Mickey, etc.) and Santa's Reindeer Round-Up, not to mention seeing the parade and the snow and all that, those will all take up blocks of time. So just make sure you plan for enough time to do everything else - all the other rides, eating, shopping, etc. You will be shocked at how fast those two days will go!

You will figure it out! Worse comes to worst, you can upgrade your ticket when you get to DLR and see what the corwds are like and how much you can manage in your (almost) two days! Have a great time!!!