When do the holiday overlays typically go up for the season?

[lvdis]

For Haunted Mansion and IASW? Thanks!

 

[skiingfast]

For Haunted Mansion and IASW? Thanks!

HM goes up for the start of Halloween in mid September.

IASW for the Holiday Season which may start on the 9th, 12th or 16th. It's hard to tell for sure because of the way the calendar falls this year. There isn't a lot of time from Halloween to the 2nd weekends of November in 2012 compared to the last year.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

Relook at your calendar skiing, thanksgiving is the 22nd. I'd say the 16th at the latest.

 

[lvdis]

So, is the weekend before Thanksgiving (11/17 & 11/18 this year) typically the start of the IASW Christmas overlay? What about the other Christmas decorations? Will the HM overlay still be in place at that point? Starting my planning/dreaming early!

I guess I should also ask when do the castle lights turn on?

Thanks!

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

Christmas stuff typically all start at the same time. The last two years it's started Vets day weekend (Friday or Monday), however because how Halloween falls most think the quick turnover from Halloween to Christmas by then is unrealistic. It could start Monday nov 12, but that'd really be pushing it.

HM stays in holiday mode for Halloween and Christmas, so that'll start mid September and go until early January.

 

[Sherry E]

So, is the weekend before Thanksgiving (11/17 & 11/18 this year) typically the start of the IASW Christmas overlay? What about the other Christmas decorations? Will the HM overlay still be in place at that point? Starting my planning/dreaming early!

I guess I should also ask when do the castle lights turn on?

Thanks!

lvdis -

Hi!

I posted a rundown of the different 'stages' of the holiday decoration process at Disneyland Resort somewhere in the Christmas Superthread last year (and it might be helpful to you), but I stopped at this thread first so I didn't copy the link to my post from the other thread. I'll find it.

In any case, this is how it basically breaks down - or how it's worked for the last several years:

In 2008 (the last Leap Year), the holiday season began on the Friday immediately before Thanksgiving, so less than one full week before.

In 2009 & 2010, the holiday season "officially" began at DLR two Fridays before Thanksgiving.

Last year, Disney surprised us by starting the season "officially" on a Monday - 11/14/11 - although certain things were up & running before 11/14/11, such as IASW Holiday.

This year, we can't be sure what's going to happen.

Typically, even before Halloween season ends, there are signs of Christmas popping up around the 2 parks. Many of the shops begin to get holiday merchandise in stock and the Castle gets its blanket of fake snow.

As soon as November begins, it is a steady process to get the whole Resort decorated by the official season starting date, and there are different things going up every day. For example, New Orleans Square is one of the first lands to receive its holiday makeover. ToonTown is not far behind, and then everything else falls into place. The Christmas trees in all the shops, window displays and restaurants go up here and there.

So prior to the official start date of the holiday season this year (and that date could be Friday, 11/9, which seems too early to me; or possibly Monday, 11/12, Friday, 11/16, or maybe Monday, 11/19 at the very latest), there will be all sorts of decorations up in the 2 parks. There will also be some holiday treats in the bake shops and candy stores.

IASW Holiday has been known to quietly open a couple of days before the official start date of the season (last year it was open by 11/11/11, I think), so I wouldn't be shocked if it happens again.

That pre-official holiday season time frame is what I call Stage 1/Phase 1.

​

Stage 2/Phase 2 would be the official start date of the season. With that date usually comes the beginning of the special holiday entertainment. Santa's Reindeer Round-Up will be open. The nighttime Winter Castle will be aglow in gorgeous icicle lights. The Believe...in Holiday Magic fireworks will be happening. A Christmas Fantasy Parade will be running daily. The snow falls on Main Street. If World of Color has any kind of holiday segment or overlay, it would likely begin then. Santa appears in California Adventure. That kind of thing. Anything holiday-related in the 2 parks will be in effect.

​

Stage 3/Phase 3 is the period between the official season start date and Thanksgiving. This is when the 3 hotels get their holiday decorations. Downtown Disney starts playing holiday music. Usually, by the day after Thanksgiving (at the latest), all the hotels' trees are in place, there are Christmas carolers strolling the lobbies and performing for guests, and Santa holds court at his photo areas at each hotel.

Last year, there were a couple of folks who said that the Paradise Pier Hotel tree (which is stunning in person!) was up earlier than normal, ahead of schedule, while the Grand Californian Hotel tree (also magnificent) was not up until the day after Thanksgiving.

I get the feeling that Disneyland is trying to get the hotels ready for the season as early as they can but sometimes they may be ahead of schedule and sometimes they are behind, so we never know exactly how much will be in place in the week before Thanksgiving and how much will kick off the day after Thanksgiving. In any case, the Grand Californian Hotel is really special during that time of year, so I highly recommend enjoying its atmosphere and merriment if at all possible.

Also, right around Thanksgiving there may be some extra food items (such as tamales and special dishes or desserts at some of the table service restaurants) that come out, but the majority of the holiday cookies, ice cream, fudge and other treats will come out in that Phase 1/Phase 2 time frame. Same thing with the merchandise - the bulk of it will be out by Stage 2/Phase 2, but some extra little things here and there will come out after Thanksgiving, near the beginning of December (like the holiday popcorn buckets, for example - those tend to come out later).

So that's about all I can tell you right now.

In late August last year, in the Christmas Superthread I began a countdown to the official season start date of November 14th with a different "Theme Week" each Monday (some of the themes were Main Street, Treats & Treasures, the hotels, IASW Holiday, Christmas trees around the resort, Reindeer Round-Up, etc., etc.). This became very popular, as it provided a great opportunity for everyone to dig up their photos from the different themes and share them each week. It really helped to build anticipation and momentum for the holidays, as well as shine a spotlight on some of the often overlooked details and hidden gems that can be found around Disneyland Resort.

I plan on resurrecting the Theme Week Countdown this year - probably in late August again (possibly early September - depending on when the season actually begins). Stay tuned!!