What's your favorite thing to do at DL for Christmas time?

[joeysmommy]

Hi All,

We are going to DL at the end of Sept for our annual Bday trip, but the kids and I are going with my Mom Nov 16th-19th to see DL at Xmas for the first time!
I've never been there to see the beautiful holiday decor, I'm also not too familiar with all the events and special happenings at that time of year.

What are your favorite things to do and see at DL during the holidays?

So far I want to see:
The reindeer roundup (pictures with Santa?)
The Christmas parade
Santa's Beach Party at DCA
ELP in Nov??

Unfortunately we'll miss the candlelight processional..sounds great.
Our travel dates aren't flexible, so it has to be that weekend in Nov.

Thanks for your ideas!

 

[Master Mason]

I can't answer you question, but you might want to compare the price of an AP, and see if it saves you some money since your going a couple of times, you could even plan your B-day trip for the following year a week ahead, and then you could use it then for a 3rd time....

 

[JadeDarkstar]

well seeing the christmas parade would be grate, but from what ive heard it dosent start till thanksgiving day. I thought you should know.. id hate to not know something wasnt happining diering my dates..
dangermouse is the one told me electric parade wont be playing yet..

 

[joeysmommy]

mastermason-
Yes, I am planning on buying the AP in September to use for that trip, Nov trip and next Sept's trip. I will have to pay $30 each time I want to use it on a black out date(Sat Nov 17 and maybe Sat Sept 20,2008).
My Mom and the kids will be able to get in on EE for Sat Nov 17, but I'll just have to meet up with them an hour later.

We are staying off property on all of our trips, so no EE for us every day it's offered, well they can use it Sat but not Monday.
Now I'm thinking of buying the kids AP's since we're making 3 trips within 12 months.

Jade- I'm bummed about the ELP, I loved it as a kid.

 

[spazzyjazzy]

I love to people watch and just take in the scenery.

 

[Disnee]

The Santa Christmas parade starts the Friday before Thanksgiving - so November 16th this year, which means you'll get a couple of chances to see it. It's really great - we enjoyed it immensely last year (we were there Nov 12-18 last year).

Positioning yourself to get "snowed on" after the holiday fireworks is fun - there's something really magical about being on Main Street or in NOS and having it snow! Haunted Mansion Holiday should be open then, as well, which is not to be missed. IASW Holiday should be up, too - the lights are amazing. If you time it right, they put on this really fun light show (with accompanying music) on the facade of IASW a few times each night - we stumbled across it completely by accident, and it was one of the coolest things we saw the entire trip.

Christmas time is our favorite time at DL - the park is just so beautiful when it's all decked out. The castle makes a great photo anytime, but is especially lovely when the Christmas swags are on. If you stay until closing, then wait until most people have left that area, you can get a great photo of the castle with the Christmas lights and no other people in the shot.

 

[joeysmommy]

Disnee-Thanks for the tips!
IASW light show sounds great, I've never heard about that one.
Where exactly do you position yourself to be snowed on?
Is NOS a better spot?

 

[XTinabell]

We did the holiday tour last year and it was so great. You get lots of information about the park and the holidays, you get to sample some pumpkin tasting treats from the bakery and you get to skip the long lineups for small world holiday and haunted mansion nightmare before christmas and you get front row seats - yes seats you dont' need to sit on the ground or stand behind someone with a tall head - for the christmas parade. At the end of the tour we got a christmas pin, it was tinkerbell in a santa outfit and it said 2006 it was very nice and I strongly recommend the tour, well worth the price in my opinion.

Edit: Forgot to mention we also got to take a little break and have some free hotchocolate in a collectors mug and a gingerbread man cookie which was quite yummy.

 

[Another^Dimension]

What's your favorite thing to do at DL for Christmas time?

Watch Believe in Holiday Magic fireworks...

 

[JadeDarkstar]

whats this christmas tour? do you have info for it

 

[joeysmommy]

Thanks xtinabell.
Do you think a 3yr old and 6 yr old would like the tour?
How much is it? Also how long?
It's worth it however much it is just to get great seats for the fireworks!

 

[jacksparrowfan]

I agree with XTINABELL. LOVE LOVE LOVE the holiday tour. They do a cute thing with kids and multiple groups. They give you all sorts of holiday information starting at the Tour office on Main Street. You end right in front of IASW. Your view is IASW and your are sitting, in chairs, at the beginning of the parade route. It's a great spot.

Don't forget to see Toontown and NOS at night. Both are beautiful with the lights/decorations. Toontown's decorations is dependent on the building it's on. Their Toontown christmas tree is always cute! Goofy is Santa.

The best place to experience the snow/music is on Main Street. We are always between the Coca Cola/Photo shops. Like that we can see the fireworks and then be able to experience the snow between the shops. You love the music. Makes me cry every time! They also have snow in NOS, along the river, but it's not as magical as Main Street. We tried it, and won't do it again. It's not the same.

 

[XTinabell]

Thanks xtinabell.
Do you think a 3yr old and 6 yr old would like the tour?
How much is it? Also how long?
It's worth it however much it is just to get great seats for the fireworks!

I'm sorry but I can't remember how much we paid and DL doesn't have that tour info listed yet. There were young children on the tour and they seemed to be having a good time. The tour guide was extra sweet to them and held a very outgoing little girl's hand the entire tour it was very cute. However because of her age she was too afraid to go on haunted mansion so her and her dad hung out at the exit of the ride but the kids loved the parade.
I also can't recall how long the tour was it was something like 1 or 2 hours long.

 

[joeysmommy]

Wow! Sounds great! Thanks for the info!

jacksparrowfan
Does it also snow near IASW after the parade? That's great they have chairs for you to sit in to watch the parade.
Do you know if the tours book up pretty fast?

Thanks!

 

[biolabetty]

I've done the holiday tour a couple of times, and the small children on our tour were having a hard time keeping up with the group. You do move fairly quickly, and it is very crowded that time of year, so that is just something to think about. I didn't bring my kids because of that. Snow happens on the Small World mall, Main Street, and around the Rivers of America waterfront.

 

[jacksparrowfan]

Thanks xtinabell.
Do you think a 3yr old and 6 yr old would like the tour?
How much is it? Also how long?
It's worth it however much it is just to get great seats for the fireworks!

Just to make sure you know, it's seats for the Holiday parade. Unfortunately, not the fireworks. The tour lasted about 2 or 2/12 hours. The last time we went, the tour started at 4pm and the parade was around 6:30. The info they share is for adults, but they do get the children involved too. In our case, they had the kids looking for the other groups. We yelled Happy Holidays and it was a race to see who would say it first. The kids thought this was pretty funny and and were always looking. Kept them busy. They would let the whole group know and they got a kick out of it. It depends on your kids and how they will be for that amount of time? The kids we were with got involved with the tour guide and what they had to say. As the lights are coming on, it's really a beautiful time. They start at the tree on Main Street. You will see/hear holiday related trivia from different countries along the way. We end at IASW, come off the ride and straight over to the chairs. They don't let anyone around to obstruct the view. They handed out hot chocolate, a krispy treat, and a pin. The parade cast members always pay attention to the group. It was around $79, but I think that was with my AP??? It really is worth it for what they give you. I have had some great tour guides who make it a fun experience for all.

You also asked about it filling up quickly. I have found it has. Call 30 days ahead of time. I always call 60 and just start asking questions. But, tours usually start taking reservations 30 days in advance.

 

[joeysmommy]

jacksparrowsfan
thanks for the info on the tour, $79 isn't too bad. It's something special we will always remember. Also, not having to find a spot to watch the parade will be one less thing to worry about.
I think my kids would be ok with the tour, I'll tell them it's a guided storytime.

biolabetty-thanks for the warning, maybe I'll bring our fold up stroller for my 3 yr old so he won't be asking me to carry him. Those DL strollers are pretty bulky.