disney at christmas

[DisneySuiteFreak]

I have to ditto everything Sherri has said about DLR at the holidays. There is nothing else like it. Everyone should experience it at least once. We are also not religious and just enjoy the simple ambience of being in the most magical places with an extra dose of magic! I love the music that plays in the background and the extra little touches like the light show and snow that occurs every so often with the tree and lights on Main Street.
Love it!
Here are some photos...

NOS:










HMH:













The light show on Main Street with snow falling:










I just love the Holidays at DLR!

[DisneySuiteFreak]

A few more pics...












snow falling at IASW:

[madjohn]

Well I am going on Friday dec 18 just before a two week cruise to Hawaii, and I may be more excited about the one day at Disneyland??? Oh well, I was wondering if anyone has a guess as to crowd levels that day and hours the park will be open.

Thanks john

[Sherry E]

Excellent photographic additions to this thread, DisneySuiteFreak!!! I love Halloweentime at DLR, but there is nothing quite as special and magical as Christmastime at DLR!!

[DisneySuiteFreak]

Originally Posted by Sherry E

Excellent photographic additions to this thread, DisneySuiteFreak!!! I love Halloweentime at DLR, but there is nothing quite as special and magical as Christmastime at DLR!!

Thanks Sherry! I totally agree about Christmastime... I am so sad that this is the first year since 2002 that I won't be going for the holidays. I used up most of my PL so that's why I won't be going. I don't know what I was thinking when I decided to go in Sept instead of January!

[darren123]

Originally Posted by Sherry E

I can do a pretty good job of describing DLR during the holidays (because I love it so much), but then I remembered I had that list of food from last stored on my computer, and so that, along with 21yankees' great photos, we can make a pretty compelling point as to why anyone should visit DLR during that time! And you know we did a good job if someone wants to fly halfway around the world to get there!!

Yes you have done a good job We are flying from half way round the world and will be over for Christmas 2010 Thank you for all this great information makes us want to go this year

[alvernon90]

I have nothing to add except that we are going at Xmas for the first time in 11 years, and this thread is getting me very excited!

[Arizona Rita]

DisneySuiteFreak~thank you for posting your gorgeous photos!!
We usually go for our annivarsary which is the leader of the clubs birthday and everything is all Christmassy but havnt been for 2 years so havnt had the chance to see the castle with the "ice" overlay!!
We leave 2 months from today and your photos really help set the mood!
Anyone who gets a chance to go at Christmas, should!

[Sleepless Knight]

Let me say this about Disneyland at Christmas. I'm a Christian, so this time of year is extra special for me. But there was a time in my life when nothing seemed to go right for me. As December rolled around, it had literally become just another month for me. On the inside, I literally felt like Ebeneezer Scrooge, and my normal hope and optimism was replaced by despair and cynicism.

And then my family went to Disneyland later that month. I will never forget the tears that rolled down my cheek (and I don't cry easily) as the Silent Night portion of the fireworks show began one night as I stood alone in front the castle. That soft beautiful guitar music and the one star shooting across the night sky made me feel like for just an instant what it must have been like for the shepherds on that first Christmas night as the star shone brightly in the sky. By the time the snow fell at the end, I again felt like Scrooge, only this time the Scrooge at the end of Dickens' classic.

I've been to Disneyland every year in December since. It's as much a part of the holidays for me as caroling and hot cocoa.

[deejdigsdis]

Thanks for sharing Sleepless Knight. Sounds like a beautiful time to go.

And thanks to those who shared pictures. Looks so amazing!

[mommato4]

Hello, We have been to DL twice, both times at Christmas, our first day being Christmas DAY. This year we are going again, over christmas, except it will be 21 on. I can't say what it's like compared to a regular time of year but we LOVE it christmas. It works for us for a few reasons, husband is a school principal so he has it off, we make sure we are there over christmas day, therefore we buy NO presents for our 4 kids or ourselves. I tend to spend alot on presents so that money goes towards DL. It is SUPER busy, super busy. Our last 5 days the park closed 3 of those days due to capacity. However, if you know it's busy, your ready for it, and it's DISNEYLAND... how can you be crabby It really IS the happiest place on earth!

[kirstie101]

When I was in college (so over 10 years ago) I went with some friends a few days before Christmas and I remember it being absolutely beautiful. One of these days, when DD is a little older and into Christmas I want to go back and see it again. I know my Mom would love it. Im a huge Christmas person so add that to Disney magic and you just can't beat it IMO.

[DisneySuiteFreak]

Originally Posted by Arizona Rita

DisneySuiteFreak~thank you for posting your gorgeous photos!!
We usually go for our annivarsary which is the leader of the clubs birthday and everything is all Christmassy but havnt been for 2 years so havnt had the chance to see the castle with the "ice" overlay!!
We leave 2 months from today and your photos really help set the mood!
Anyone who gets a chance to go at Christmas, should!

Thank you for the compliment! I'm glad you enjoyed them!

Originally Posted by Sleepless Knight

I will never forget the tears that rolled down my cheek (and I don't cry easily) as the Silent Night portion of the fireworks show began one night as I stood alone in front the castle. That soft beautiful guitar music and the one star shooting across the night sky made me feel like for just an instant what it must have been like for the shepherds on that first Christmas night as the star shone brightly in the sky. By the time the snow fell at the end, I again felt like Scrooge, only this time the Scrooge at the end of Dickens' classic.
I've been to Disneyland every year in December since. It's as much a part of the holidays for me as caroling and hot cocoa.

I have had the same thing happen to me every year. There's something about the melancholy chord structure and the way the song is performed... I believe it's Kelly Coffee singing Silent Night, but at any rate, if it is her, she does an outstanding job on that song and White Christmas at the end too. I always cry the first time I see this firework show. It's simply amazing!

[smiley_face2]

this is the best thread ever!! well the food porn thread is pretty good too.... anyway... It is hands down the best time to go, and yes, somehow they manage to rekindle a lot of Christmas spirit, and funnily enough, peace and joy! even with the crowds! I absolutely can not wait to be sitting on a bench on main street, sipping a holiday latte and gazing at the stunning castle while the joyful music of Christmas plays and the scents of sugary goodness waft from the bakery and candy palace

[abouley]

I LOVE the Christmas theming in the parks and have done both WDW and DL end of Nov/early Dec to get to see the decorations. But, one year we arrived at DL the day after Christmas and stayed 3 days and it was HORRIBLE crowd wise. The lines were all over 120 minutes in the afternoon (most more like 150 min) and over in New Orleans area you couldn't even get around because of the lines being so long and so many people walking. And we got stuck on main street for probably 30 minutes in a "traffic jam" unable to move after a parade....It started to get scary as people started pushing and shoving a bit. So, while I definitely try to get there during the season, I have tried to avoid the week between Christmas and New Year's. Is it still as crazy? I'm trying to remember what year this was... it was probably 9 years ago or so.

Alison