Tell me about DL at Christmas!!!

[jnjusoioa]

Hi Everyone, I was just wondering if you all could tell me about DL and CA at Christmas, what are the must sees, etc. Do you characters dress up? What are the character meals like, decorations, etc?? Also please feel free to share photos if you would like, would love to see them. Thanks!!!

 

[disneyfaninaz]

It's a Small World Holiday is a must see. They do not do it at WDW. Also, the Haunted Holiday Mansion is a must do as it is not done at WDW either.

 

[jnjusoioa]

It's a Small World Holiday is a must see. They do not do it at WDW. Also, the Haunted Holiday Mansion is a must do as it is not done at WDW either.

Thank you so much, I can't wait to hear other replies too, please share. Very excited to learn all I can.

 

[disneyfaninaz]

If you haven't already done so, I would recommend that you check out the Disneyland site. They list all of the holiday happenings for around the parks.

http://disneyland.disney.go.com/disneyland/en_US/experience/overview?name=HolidaysLandingPage

 

[jnjusoioa]

If you haven't already done so, I would recommend that you check out the Disneyland site. They list all of the holiday happenings for around the parks.

http://disneyland.disney.go.com/disneyland/en_US/experience/overview?name=HolidaysLandingPage

Thank you, I was looking over them, was just hoping for some more detailed stuff from people who have been, so hoping that more people will drop by and share pics. and tell me all about DL and CA at Christmas.

 

[Danauk]

If you look on the Disneyland picture of the day thread there are pages of pictures that have been posted of the christmas decorations. Some of the pictures are amazing, especially the details that people have taken pictures of.

 

[GailT]

I say IASW and HM but everything else too. Last year was my first time ever going to DL and it was for Christmas, I had the best Christmas of my life as an adult. I loved it so much went back this September and loved it but going back to have Christmas 2008 again in Disney, I can't wait but I have to be patient, still have another year to go

 

[jnjusoioa]

If you look on the Disneyland picture of the day thread there are pages of pictures that have been posted of the christmas decorations. Some of the pictures are amazing, especially the details that people have taken pictures of.

Thank you, it was really neat to be able to look at some of those photos. I hope people will share more photos, would love to hear all about Christmas at DL and CA, would love to be able to have the best experience. Also are the characters dressed up and what time of day is best to find them at DL and CA?? Are the character meals all decked out in Christmas and the characters at those dressed for Christmas, just curious. Thanks!!!!

 

[21yankees]

 

[Lost Boy #1]

Almost all the main characters do have special Christmas outfits that they wear. The Park has Garlands over Main Street and special decorations on the lamp posts. Every "Land" had different styles of decorations. New Orleans is very heavy with overhead garlands and every balcony has tons of decorations. Toontown has appropriate crazy decorations and each Toon House or Ride Building has decorations to match.

Tomorrowland is probably the barest of the lands for decorations. Fantasyland has a few, but not heavy like NOS. I hear that Critter Country has some nice decorations but since the took out Country Bear Playhouse and replaced with the character I hate the most, I don't go into that land anymore, for any reason.

Of Course we do have Small World Holiday which has not only over 3 million colored light on the extierior but also an amazing light show several times a night on the building itself. Inside each of the countries is decorated to the hilt according to the traditions of that land. The music is Jingle Bells and a verse or two of Small World then Jingle Bells again. The last room is all the countries together singing another carol that I can't think of right now to save my life. And I love it too. Over at the Haunted Mansion Jack Skellington and crew have moved in and taken over. It is a complete makeover and is excellent.

Then there is the Holiday Fireworks with the new light and snow show at the Castle which is just spectacular. An amazing show on the Castle and a fantastic fireworks show cap the evening perfectly.

I love Christmas at Disneyland and this year they have outdone themselves. The Park is beautiful and really gets you into the Christmas Spirit.

 

[miler1600]

Does anyone know what the crowd levels are the week before Christmas. We are thinking about planning a trip there for next Christmas.

Thanks.

 

[bumbershoot]

Well, Minnie Mouse decorates the outside of her house.

There's a laid-back Santa in DCA, he's at the Beach Blast. Forgive DS's look. He had Photopass pictures taken with "Santa", then the camera messed up and while the photopass guy and I were trying to figure out his camera, DS was playing, fell on his bottom, and got a headache. Just in case the photopass thing didn't work out, I wanted extra pictures, but all DS wanted to do was tell Santa how much his head hurt. Poor kid.

Decorations near Pooh's ride.

Decoration at DCA.

Most of the characters did seem to be wearing holiday/warm weather sweaters or hats or things like that.

Characters at GCH's breakfast weren't dressed up, but then, they don't really wear clothes anyway.

Giant ornament balls in DCA.

Hope that helps!

 

[jnjusoioa]

These are all great!! Can't wait to hear more, maybe people who are here now will post back, can't wait to hear more about Christmas at DL and CA. Now if DL website would get up and running so I could plan my vacation, that would be great!!!

 

[21yankees]

We just got back (on Saturday). The parade is wonderful. Don't forget the snow at the castle (happens twice a night). Um the Nightmare before Christmas at the Haunted Mansion was really cool. We did 2 character meals while we were there. The lunch at Ariel's Grotto was completely normal (no holiday theme). We had breakfast with Lilo and Stitch and the only holiday thing we noticed were the large gingerbread cookies (which were delicious by the way). There are 3 really big trees between DL and CA. The first is on main street (it's the biggest). There is a second one in toontown. The third tree is near the pier in CA. Lots of live performances (bands, choirs, etc) playing holiday music through DL. I loved the decorations in New Orleans as well as the jazz Christmas music. All of the characters in Critter Country were dressed in some kind of holiday clothing. Mickey and Minnie on main street were in holiday clothes as were Chip and Dale. We didn't visit them at their homes in toontown so I'm not sure if there were in holiday clothes there. Goofy was in holiday dress as well. The castle is amazing when they light it up at night, it looks amazing during the day as well with the 'snow' all over its roof. That's all I can think of right now. Feel free to ask questions it might spark my memory.

steph

 

[DisneySuiteFreak]

There's a laid-back Santa in DCA, he's at the Beach Blast. Forgive DS's look. He had Photopass pictures taken with "Santa", then the camera messed up and while the photopass guy and I were trying to figure out his camera, DS was playing, fell on his bottom, and got a headache. Just in case the photopass thing didn't work out, I wanted extra pictures, but all DS wanted to do was tell Santa how much his head hurt. Poor kid.

QUOTE]

That Santa CM must be from Hawaii. He's showing your son the 'Shaka' or 'Hang Loose' sign with his hand. Your son is also showing the 'shaka' sign with his hand. Did you notice that? Cute!

 

[jnjusoioa]

We just got back (on Saturday). The parade is wonderful. Don't forget the snow at the castle (happens twice a night). Um the Nightmare before Christmas at the Haunted Mansion was really cool. We did 2 character meals while we were there. The lunch at Ariel's Grotto was completely normal (no holiday theme). We had breakfast with Lilo and Stitch and the only holiday thing we noticed were the large gingerbread cookies (which were delicious by the way). There are 3 really big trees between DL and CA. The first is on main street (it's the biggest). There is a second one in toontown. The third tree is near the pier in CA. Lots of live performances (bands, choirs, etc) playing holiday music through DL. I loved the decorations in New Orleans as well as the jazz Christmas music. All of the characters in Critter Country were dressed in some kind of holiday clothing. Mickey and Minnie on main street were in holiday clothes as were Chip and Dale. We didn't visit them at their homes in toontown so I'm not sure if there were in holiday clothes there. Goofy was in holiday dress as well. The castle is amazing when they light it up at night, it looks amazing during the day as well with the 'snow' all over its roof. That's all I can think of right now. Feel free to ask questions it might spark my memory.

steph

Thank you so much for all this great info., I am really excited, it sounds like there is a lot to see and do. I can't wait to see the castle, It's A Small World, HM, and so much more. I also am looking forward to the decorations in Fantasyland and Toontown, if anyone has photos of them, would love to see them. It sounds like the character meals don't do much. What time of day is best to see characters at the parks?? Also the icles lights on the castle, are they there each year?? Can't wait.

 

[DisneySuiteFreak]

Thank you so much for all this great info., I am really excited, it sounds like there is a lot to see and do. I can't wait to see the castle, It's A Small World, HM, and so much more. I also am looking forward to the decorations in Fantasyland and Toontown, if anyone has photos of them, would love to see them. It sounds like the character meals don't do much. What time of day is best to see characters at the parks?? Also the icles lights on the castle, are they there each year?? Can't wait.

Christmas is the BEST time of year to go imo. This is the first time I've seen the icicles on the castle and I've been every year for the last several years.
It gets super busy at times, so just go there knowing that, plan ahead, prepare to deal with crowds, relax and enjoy it.

 

[21yankees]

I forgot I had a picture of the tree from Toontown. I don't have much else from there as we didn't spend a whole lot of time there. Here's the tree.

 

[bumbershoot]

That Santa CM must be from Hawaii. He's showing your son the 'Shaka' or 'Hang Loose' sign with his hand. Your son is also showing the 'shaka' sign with his hand. Did you notice that? Cute!

Yep, it's the only sign that DS is paying any attention at that point.

I showed that pic to a friend of mine, and she said that DS is showing that he was coerced to sit there (referring to hand signs that soldiers do when captured, to signal to those seeing pictures that they don't WANT to be doing that)...which, actually, he was, poor kid. We don't even do the Santa myth in our house; I don't know why I make the kid take pictures with these bearded red-suited guys!

 

[jnjusoioa]

I forgot I had a picture of the tree from Toontown. I don't have much else from there as we didn't spend a whole lot of time there. Here's the tree.

Thank you for that picture, that tree looks exactly like it should for being in Toontown!!! Can't wait to see the rest of the decorations. After watching the parade this morning, just a few more quick questions, does Goofy dress up like Santa there and if so does he do meet and greets? Also is the parade of dreams still going on but just Christmas stuff added in, I was just curious because I love the Alice In Wonderland float and teacups at DL and have never seen them, so any help would be greatly appreciated, hoping not to miss that being there at Christmas.I was also wondering does DL and CA sell Christmas merchadise like WDW, such as hats, ears, sweatshirts, etc. Thanks again.