We're off to Disneyland! A few more ?s before we leave!

[Cesilie]

Hello All!! So I had posted a thread a while ago about going on thanksgiving and due to some last minute family emergency we weren't able to make our thanksgiving anniversary trip.... so we have decided that next weds we will be making the drive down to disneyland and spend all the next day (the 17th) in disneyland!!! WOOT! I'm super excited and cannot wait to go!


I have a few more questions, I hear its been cold there, would you suggest heavy jackets and jeans, or can we stick with the typical socal shorts and a hoodie kinda thing?

Should it be crowded? I went 5 years ago on the 22nd of dec and it was CRAZY, we figured we'd get lucky and maybe go before school gets out for everyone? (our college gets out earlier than most public schools...) If it rains will the park be as busy? we are going rain or shine so we aren't scared of water.... but are lots of other people?


Will most of the charcters be dressed up for christmas? I hear there is something new in toon town? and is there a way to get a list of the characters that will be out and about in DCA?!

How does the vinylmation trades work? Has anyone seen pook-a-looz in the park yet (for those of you who haven't seen those check these out: http://shop.ebay.com/mo-doodle/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=&_trksid=p3686 ) Ebay is the only place i've seen them and I want some SUPER BADLY!!! There is a D23 store correct? Do you have to be a member of D23 to shop there?


I have a bank card that allows for a free 5x7 photo with me and the characters, how do i find out how to claim this?


and one lllllaaaassssstttt thing.... we were wondering if we'd get away wearing these down there:

for halloween we were mary & bert and we have heard mixed things about costumes.... i've seen plenty of people walking around the park dressed as face charcters from diff movies... could we do the same?
I know thats another whole ton of questions but OMG I'm excited! we're off on our last big adventure of 2009 and I want it to be GREAT!

thanks in advance!

 

[DisneyCaliCouple]

Right now, it's really cold here. It's in the mid to high 50s and it's supposed to be like this all week. I'd definatly bring a warm jacket, especially for if you'll be there at night.

 

[Eeee-va]

Per the website, costumes are against the rules if you're over the age of 9, I believe it is. I read somewhere that that includes face characters and "historical" costumes.

http://disneyland.disney.go.com/disneyland/en_US/help/detail?name=ThemeParksFAQPage#qa10

I have seen quite a few things that seem to be exceptions in photos, ranging from a ton of Goths in the parks on "Bat Day" to a group of people literally dressed as the colors of the rainbow, some of them complete with garish (but really cute!) colored wigs. Someone on one board wore a "vintage" costume (1930s?) and that appeared to be fine--though really, you can buy some off-the-shelf clothes that look like dresses from the 1920s - 1980s, so I don't see why that would be a problem.

But adults are definitely not permitted to dress as face characters.

If you wear your costumes without the accessories and soot, though, I don't think you'd be mistaken for a character. So if you are wearing them so that you can FEEL like you're dressed up and not to gather attention, you can do that.

If it rains, the park will be less busy (possibly nearly empty) but some of the entertainment might be canceled.

 

[Lostgirlz]

I have never heard of a vinylmation trading. I have heard, and done Pin trading, but never heard anything on them trading the dolls. Not sure about a D23 store from the club at least I never heard of either the trade, or dolls when I went in October. I do know they did have signs up at the entrance stating adults are not allowed to dress in any costume. The cut off costume age was 9, or 10. As far as crowds I hear it's been pretty busy, and some parents take kids out early for Christmas break. I know schools here get out for break on the 18th.

 

[Capt. Swan]

my daughter, who was 14, was wearing a micky top hat with ears and a black skirt with pink edging that we had purchased in DLR the day before. the security folks pulled her out of line and put her to the side until the manager could come over and "evaluate" her costume. she took the skirt off and we went in.

of couse, it probably varies from one security guard to another, but I would say be ready to take off "costumish" parts if need be.

 

[pixiewings71]

I don't suggest you dress up, those costumes are adorable but guests over 9 are not allowed to dress up. We once saw security telling a young lady dressed in a long yellow dress, with a tiara and long gloves that she could not enter because she was dressed as Belle.
Yes, a lot of characters will be dressed for Christmas and yes, I would definitely suggest taking some warm clothes to wear. We leave Friday and I know we will have coats, scarves, hats and gloves!

 

[redboxcar]

It is pouring right now! And cold! if you come during a sunny day, it should be warm in the day, but in the evening it gets pretty cool. I wouldn't suggest shorts, but a hoodie and jeans should be okay.

 

[Canefamily]

The Visa Greet and Meet is in DCA, just past Monsters' Inc. It starts one half hour after the park opens and last for 1 1/2 hours. When we were there a couple weeks ago it was Pluto every day and once we had Chip and Dale. They weren't even dressed in their holiday attire. The good thing was that there was no line. We just walked up and got our pictures taken. You pick up your photos in the last shop on the right. We were there for 7 days and had our picture taken every day. I didn't print out the pictures until our last day. The CM that printed out my pictures said that I didn't have to pick out just the Visa Greet and Meet pictures but I could choose any 7 pictures from my photopass card. The CM said it was cruel and unusual punishment to make me pick out 7 pictures of us with Pluto. So, I was soooo very happy!!

 

[Cesilie]

hmm, alright well.. it began SNOWING here in the central valley so we will def be wearing nice warm clothing down there!! LOL. this is so not normal for cali!

and we'll skip out on the costumes for now too I guess....


we leave next weds!! WOOT WOOT! I'm super excited, we just mapped out our entire trip today and we've got everything finalized


Cane, did you get to pick all 7?

 

[Lostgirlz]

Yeah sorry you can't wear costumes, but you are allowed to wear them if you're attending the Mickey Trick or Treat party. That's the only time they allow the adults, and older kids to dress up.

 

[hurleysweety]

To clarify about the Visa Meet N Greet:

For each day you go, you get a "free 5x7" card that resembles a ticket. You can collect as many of these as days you are there (one per day). This is how the CaneFamily was able to have 7 free pictures for the 7 days they went. You can redeem the free picture at either Disneyland or California Adventure.

Also, last time we were there, the timing was 10:30 - Chip and Dale, 11:00 Pluto, and then 11:30-Chip and Dale. Just to keep in mind! The CM usually announces which characters and times too, so don't forget to ask. You still only get one free pic, even if you see two different characters.

As for which picture you get free, that is totally up to you. Any pictures on your photopass are eligible for the free photo. So get smiling and track down those PP photographers and the beautiful holiday decor! Of course, a free 5x7 with chip and dale or Pluto isn't bad either!

Hope this helped! Have fun!

 

[Dizneydaz]

MnG coupons-most CMs will allow you to get any picture you want. Not nec. the one taken there. If they don't, ask for a manager. Also, if you have more than one card (different account number) you can get one coupon for each card. There is an expiration date on the cards.

 

[redboxcar]

To clarify about the Visa Meet N Greet:

For each day you go, you get a "free 5x7" card that resembles a ticket. You can collect as many of these as days you are there (one per day). This is how the CaneFamily was able to have 7 free pictures for the 7 days they went. You can redeem the free picture at either Disneyland or California Adventure.

Also, last time we were there, the timing was 10:30 - Chip and Dale, 11:00 Pluto, and then 11:30-Chip and Dale. Just to keep in mind! The CM usually announces which characters and times too, so don't forget to ask. You still only get one free pic, even if you see two different characters.

As for which picture you get free, that is totally up to you. Any pictures on your photopass are eligible for the free photo. So get smiling and track down those PP photographers and the beautiful holiday decor! Of course, a free 5x7 with chip and dale or Pluto isn't bad either!

Hope this helped! Have fun!

Thanks for clarifying... I honestly didn't understand what the Cane family was talking about, hehe. Is this offer available for anyone? How do you do this?

 

[Cesilie]

sweetness!! We were actually talking about getting pictures elsewhere in the park and seeing which one we liked best

do you still have the option to buy them online as well so if when we get home and decide we want another picture we can buy it?

I can't believe its a week away! I'm so excited!! we've got it all mapped out, showtimes, food reservations, and we're just counting down the days to school ending and our trip beginning!

 

[Disneylvrforever]

sweetness!! We were actually talking about getting pictures elsewhere in the park and seeing which one we liked best

do you still have the option to buy them online as well so if when we get home and decide we want another picture we can buy it?

I can't believe its a week away! I'm so excited!! we've got it all mapped out, showtimes, food reservations, and we're just counting down the days to school ending and our trip beginning!

The Photopass card that you get from CMs will let you see all of your pics online so that you can buy additional pics & edit them w/ borders and such.

As for Vinylmation, they don't have trading in the park. I've only experienced the trading @ the D23 Expo. And unfortunately, they aren't selling Pook-A-Looz in the park...yet.

Thanks for clarifying... I honestly didn't understand what the Cane family was talking about, hehe. Is this offer available for anyone? How do you do this?

This is if you're a Disney Visa cardholder. All you have to do is get in line & show the CM your Disney Visa card. Then they will tell you when it's your turn to go & meet the character(s). After the photographer takes some pics, they give you a voucher to get a free pic.

 

[mareed]

As for Vinylmation, they don't have trading in the park. I've only experienced the trading @ the D23 Expo. And unfortunately, they aren't selling Pook-A-Looz in the park...yet.

I was really hoping they would have Vinylmation trading somewhere there. With having to purchase them "blind", this is something that's really needed. My 13 year old DS really liked the clear ones, and he purchased 3 that were pink or purple before finally getting one that wasn't quite as girly - yellow. As with probably most 13 year old boys, he's less than thrilled with the pink & purple! We'd love to find somewhere that he could trade these, and I'd imagine that there's a girl somewhere who would love to have the pink & purple!