There isn't a Christmas party here at Disneyland?

[Feistygirl916]

So we have a Halloween party, but no Christmas one? Am I right here?

 

[CrazyDuck]

It's a month long Christmas Party at Disneyland in December!

 

[EnnEss]

Thankfully Disneyland management seems to recognize that those paid events are not good in the long run, and when they do them, they do them at the less popular park, DCA. WDW should take notes. Be thankful we don't have some "party" (aka an exscuse to charge you again for entrance when you already paid).

The decor is lovely alllll month long though

 

[Feistygirl916]

I actually really enjoyed the MVMCP last December, and was hoping that DL did something special too... I guess I will have to research what all DL has to offer me! Does it snow on Main Street? How about visits with Santa? Ooh, time to start planning!

 

[Sleepless Knight]

If you're looking for something special at Disneyland for Christmas, then you may find that you love it even more. at Disneyland. Why? Because at WDW, you have to pay extra to get the special Christmas parade and Holiday Wishes. Disneyland doesn't do that. All park guests are allowed to see Believe in Holiday Magic fireworks and A Christmas Fantasy parade as part of their paid admission to the park. Disneyland also themes IASW to Christmas and Haunted Mansion to The Nightmare Before Christmas. Santa, you can visit him at his beach blast in DCA, or as I prefer, you can meet Santa Goofy in ToonTown.

From my understanding, you're getting a very similar experience at Disneyland as MVMCP, except that you're not paying $50 for some goodies that truly wouldn't cost you $50 inside the parks. I have no problems with WDW having Christmas parties and would like to experience one for myself someday, but that said, I much prefer Disneyland not charging me extra for more Christmas magic.

 

[JadeDarkstar]

wdw and dl and really to diffrent. DisneyLand was grate last year you get santa in both parks you get the parade and snow on main street.

Also for that special thing try the tour i was going last year except it rained and cancled the parade and stuff witch i wanted to have my prioity seatting. we will do it dec this time if we get to go like we plan.

 

[Disneylvrforever]

I actually really enjoyed the MVMCP last December, and was hoping that DL did something special too... I guess I will have to research what all DL has to offer me! Does it snow on Main Street? How about visits with Santa? Ooh, time to start planning!

It snows on MS and other specific locations after the fireworks. Also, last year since they redecorated the castle, whenever they would light it, it would snow.
Traditional Santa can be found in Santa's Reindeer Roundup along w/ Mrs. Claus in DL. Then in DCA, a beachy Santa can be found in the Sunshine Plaza.

 

[disneyfaninaz]

Thankfully Disneyland management seems to recognize that those paid events are not good in the long run, and when they do them, they do them at the less popular park, DCA. WDW should take notes. Be thankful we don't have some "party" (aka an exscuse to charge you again for entrance when you already paid).

The decor is lovely alllll month long though

Since WDW has 4 parks, they can afford to close one park for such parties, and they are very successful and a lot of fun.

But yes, DL is lovely during the holidays. Especially with the new castle lighting features.

 

[DangerMouse]

Click here for just a little taste:

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

This page also happens to mention the official dates for the holiday season at DLR this year: Nov. 21st through Jan. 4th.

 

[EnnEss]

Since WDW has 4 parks, they can afford to close one park for such parties, and they are very successful and a lot of fun.

But yes, DL is lovely during the holidays. Especially with the new castle lighting features.

They close the favored park, not because "they can afford to" but because they can afford to rip off their guests who already paid admission to MK and shut it down early and charge you again. DLR uses DCA for this, WDW should do the same and use DHS.

There is nothing particularly special about the christmas thing or halloween thing at WDW, ive been to them. You get almost the same thing for free at Disneyland. Disneyland is run better, management at WDW is horrific and constantly doing this kind of thing. Tips removed off the dining plan, taking away time you paid for by adding parties (price on those has jumped by over 50 percent in 2.5 years btw).

Disneyland has a special parade, just like WDW, and does all the decorations, the castle is actually pretty amazing at DLR. Ive been to WDW a lot recently, so Im not a crazy DLR supporter, these hard ticket events are just a cash grab, plain and simple. Whether or not they are enjoyable highly depends on the night you're there, they often turn usually slow nights into incredibly busy ones as other parks attendance plummets. If you enjoy them, thats great, but it should still be just a part of regular admission.

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

We go to WDW annually (DVC members with family and friends local to the Orlando area) and live local to DL - P-AP holders. I feel that I can offer an opinion, as well, as we've done all of the offerings - additional hard ticket and not.

I think you will be pleasantly surprised with Christmas at DLR! The only thing that MVMCP offers that you can't find daily for free at DL is the free hot cocoa and cookies and maybe a castle forecourt show. Our $2.50 hot cocoa is much better here, too. We have the Reindeer Round-up Show, though, and the most amazing Mrs. Santa that just hangs out all day! Plus, the fact that you get the Candlelight Processional on one weekend - an Epcot event, makes it a bigger bonus. DTD has a really unique feel to it, too, with the large shade trees filled with colorful ornament lights and the music. I like the holiday atmosphere here at DTD better than WDW DTD.

I prefer the hard ticketing for Halloween at DCA, as it really restricts the random folks in costumes (no adult costumes per the web site) for personal safety of the guests. I feel it gives me a more controlled place to bring my kids. Halloween is a problem, by the nature of the holiday and you have to remember that DLR is very much of a local theme park, so it is much more probable that you will get some undesirable behaviors and risks. (Ask me about all of the blatant open flasks and alcohol smuggled in water bottles that I've seen in the packed crowds at DL on New Year's Eve, or the fight that started to break out behind us while waiting for the 4th of July fireworks this year, or how they have to do whole body frisks on Grad Nights. )

Tidbit about WDW - once they get into the actual holiday weeks, they discontinue MVMCP and incorporate all of that entertainment, including the parade, into the daily activities - making the hard ticket a bit more undesirable/resentful for the budget conscious that go earlier in the month....

Just my two bits.
Nancy