Disneyland at Christmas/Holiday Season Superthread #5

[Sherry E]

You are right, Sherry. I remember seeing projections on IASWH last year. So it can be done.

We like our holiday celebration too, we would watch the parades/fireworks one time on our visits and the rest of the time, we like to absorb the atmosphere! We had so much fun taking photos of all the Christmas decorations and noticing all the little details.

Yes, exactly -- and all of the themed decorations in every land add to that atmosphere. I don't want the themed décor left out in favor of some bunting that says "60" on it! I want the wacky décor in Toontown. I want the rustic décor in Frontierland. I want the Mardi Gras masks in New Orleans Square. I want the wreaths of different countries in front of IASWH. I want the honey pot décor in Critter Country. I want the teeny tiny decorations on the Storybook Land boat ride. And Main Street! It has to have some decorations and holiday window displays, even if it is lacking in garland hanging overhead, as it is the entrance into Disneyland. It sets the stage for the season!

As I mentioned, I think that Halloween Time will be very telling. If it seems that nothing is going to interrupt the Halloween Time festivities and that the season will carry on as usual, with very few changes (if any), that will be a good indication that the holidays may not suffer too many more blows beyond the losses we already know about. On the other hand, if Halloween Time is basically turned upside down or left as a shell of its former self, the holidays could be in trouble too!

Oh, by the way, DIS'er and photographer extraordinaire, Bret/mvf-m11c (also one of the gift card winners of last year's Theme Week Countdown) has been at DLR this week, enjoying the new nighttime entertainment (and the popcorn buckets!). He has posted a few photos on Facebook. Stay tuned to his trip report in the DL trip report section, as I'm sure he will be posting some amazing shots of Paint the Night, Disneyland Forever and World of Color - Celebrate!

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[princesszelda]

I just want my candy canes!

 

[Sherry E]

I just want my candy canes!

I think there would be a mutiny on Disneyland if they didn't make the candy canes! People would not be pleased.

I don't think that there is any fear of the candy cane-making disappearing this year, fortunately. I think the Candy Canes and the Candlelight Ceremony/Processional are safe from the chopping block. I also think that the hotel decorations, carolers, Santa, etc., are safe from the chopping block. I think that Haunted Mansion Holiday is safe -- even though the Hatbox Ghost is back. I think that the interior overlay of IASWH is safe. The exterior... who knows? I think that Viva Navidad in DCA is safe. Jingle Cruise, I would guess, is safe... hopefully. I think that there will be snow of some kind on Main Street, but it may just fall at the end of Disneyland Forever. Frozen Fun... I wonder if Olaf's Snow Fest and Freeze the Night will be back for the holidays. I tend to think that Snow Fest will return, but maybe not Freeze the Night.

I would have to imagine that the ice rink and Winter Village will be back in DTD, as well.

 

[princesszelda]

As long as I can get more candy canes I am a happy girl! I am not a fan of the HM overlay I know gasp! It might be a nice change to have a more of a low key/ decorations this year in the park. I am really lookinf forward to what they are going to do and not looking at the negative of it all.

 

[Sherry E]

As long as I can get more candy canes I am a happy girl! I am not a fan of the HM overlay I know gasp! It might be a nice change to have a more of a low key/ decorations this year in the park. I am really lookinf forward to what they are going to do and not looking at the negative of it all.

I don't necessarily think of it as looking at the negative as much as looking at the reality of the situation, though if the reality involves things that are going to be omitted from the season then it could be viewed as looking at the negative if those were things that were important to people. I don't like to get alarmed and upset over things that are only rumors and might not happen, and I always tell people on this forum what is just a rumor and what is a fact/official. But I want to be sure to know the facts of what is and is not going to happen, and let people know what they will be dealing with.

For me, it wouldn't be nice to have low key decorations, because I'm a huge Christmas fan. The bigger the holiday celebration, the better for me. That's what I wait all year for, and I want to do it in a big way. I want an actual holiday experience that feels, looks, sounds, smells and tastes like a holiday experience. To me, the themed holiday decorations are more important than bunting that says "60" or has a big "D" on it, because they are so detailed and theme-specific.

However, the things that we know for sure will be missing this year -- the parade, the fireworks and Winter Dreams -- are all things that I tend to skip anyway. So that's why I'm not particularly panicking yet, because I probably would have skipped them. Other people, however, may love those things and may miss them.

As for anything else that may or may not go missing, it's just speculation and pondering at this point. All of the actual holiday decorations may stay intact, whereas the holiday entertainment will be what takes the hit.

I do think that there will be some surprises, and some things added into the season as well. That's my guess.

 

[kylie71]

It was much easier to get them on Buena Vista Street.
Last Thanksgiving weekend, we we're strolling in, and the CM's we're standing on the sidewalk in front of Trolley Treats, and asked us if we wanted one?!?! Uh, YES! So we got wrist bands and came back at 11am, and picked them up! Worth every penny!!!!!!! Nothing like a store bought candy cane!
We brought them home, and smashed them up, and put them in a candy dish... last a little longer that way. They are THICK!!!
Here is a pic..
--Lori

 

[dolphingirl47]

I have finally reached the stage in my trip report that covers the Holiday season at Disneyland. We had three nights at Disneyland before the Holiday season officially started and 10 nights at Aulani, but from now on I will concentrate on the Holiday season. On our first day back at Disneyland, we did a VIP tour. This can be found on page 15 of the thread. Here is the link:

http://www.disboards.com/threads/aloha-happy-birthday-and-merry-christmas.3374668/

Corinna

 

[lunaland]

I have a quick question on this topic that I hope is OK to post here. I love Candlelight and have made a point to get to Main Street EARLY to wait for a chance at a seat (successfully in 2012 and 2013, we went to Epcot to see it last year) however my travel buddy just tolerates it for my sake. I remember reading a trip report from someone who did the Christmas tour on a Candlelight day and got reserved seats that way. Is this possible?

 

[Sherry E]

I have a quick question on this topic that I hope is OK to post here. I love Candlelight and have made a point to get to Main Street EARLY to wait for a chance at a seat (successfully in 2012 and 2013, we went to Epcot to see it last year) however my travel buddy just tolerates it for my sake. I remember reading a trip report from someone who did the Christmas tour on a Candlelight day and got reserved seats that way. Is this possible?

Welcome, lunaland!

Yes, of course -- this is the right place to ask any and all Disneyland Resort/Holiday Season-related questions, whether quick or extensive! Welcome!

If I am not mistaken, I think that the (expensive) VIP tour sometimes includes seats for Candlelight. The regular Holiday tour does not include Candlelight seats.

As I'm sure you know, it is not easy to get actual chair seats for Candlelight unless you belong to Club 33 or are otherwise "connected" via Disney employees, media, etc. The seats are very limited, and the performances only take place over 2 nights. The 2012 situation was unusual, as there were 20 nights of Candlelight, with 2 shows each night. That opened up the field for more people to get seats by being in the right place at the right time -- that's how I was able to first enjoy Candlelight.

In 2013, I did not get a seat. However, I saw someone get chair seats in a unfortunate way -- they sat on a planter or somewhere where they were not supposed to be sitting. I think that someone complained to a CM, who came over and removed the girls from the place they were sitting... and then promptly escorted them to actual seats near the stage!!!! So the girls got rewarded for doing something the wrong way, basically.

You're very lucky to have gotten seats again in 2013! Did you get the actual chairs, or did you score a seat on a bench? You really have to be in the right place at the right time to get the chairs, and then the CMs would determine who gets to sit in any empty seats and who doesn't. They have to first wait and see how many seats are available, and then use their discretion.

I know that other people wait all day to sit on the benches that line the perimeter of the area.

 

[modegard]

I notice on the wdwinfo website that the DL hours for Saturday December 12th are 8:00 am to 6:00 pm. I realize the official park hours are not out for December yet, but I was curious why this one day in December might have reduced hours. Would they close early for a staff party during the Christmas season?

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Lunaland, I just sent you a PM about CP. I was so blessed to view it last year for the first time and from one of the actual chairs. Incredible to be part of Jesus being celebrated that way at DL. I definitely plan to go again this year. To you and anyone else who does CP, I know it is only June! I would love this year to get to view it with a friend and someone who enjoys it also. Please PM me. Thanks.

 

[Comicbookmommy]

Hello! We're planning a BIG Holiday Vacation this year are having trouble figuring out what week to visit Disneyland. Could some of you more experienced Disneyland folks help me? I would like the least crowded time, but also would like everything to be open. Our dates are either:

November 30th - December 8th
December 7th - December 15th

What would you recommend?

CANNOT WAIT!

 

[lvdis]

I notice on the wdwinfo website that the DL hours for Saturday December 12th are 8:00 am to 6:00 pm. I realize the official park hours are not out for December yet, but I was curious why this one day in December might have reduced hours. Would they close early for a staff party during the Christmas season?

I'm not sure why they would be that way, but until we get closer to that time I think I would be more inclined to look at the December 2014 hours - http://www.wdwinfo.com/disneyland/park-hours.cfm?month=12&year=2014

 

[Sherry E]

I notice on the wdwinfo website that the DL hours for Saturday December 12th are 8:00 am to 6:00 pm. I realize the official park hours are not out for December yet, but I was curious why this one day in December might have reduced hours. Would they close early for a staff party during the Christmas season?

View attachment 101699

modegard --

For some reason that I can't figure out, there is incorrect schedule info on wdwinfo for later this year. I'm not sure why -- I think Tom Bell was trying to figure it out too, as he updates that side of the board with dates and refurbs and things like that.

Needless to say, nothing has been revealed about the Holiday season schedule yet, and I don't think that the 12/12 early closure means anything. I think it is a mistake. It's very unlikely that Disneyland would close at 6 p.m. on a Saturday, in the middle of the holiday season. I could see something like that happening on a Wednesday, but not a Saturday (unless it was part of a hard ticket Christmas party).

We don't even have a Halloween Time schedule yet, so the December hours will not pop up for several more months.

If there ever is some sort of early closure in December, it would probably not be for a Cast Member party (those were discontinued a few years ago), but maybe for some other private party or private event.

Hello! We're planning a BIG Holiday Vacation this year are having trouble figuring out what week to visit Disneyland. Could some of you more experienced Disneyland folks help me? I would like the least crowded time, but also would like everything to be open. Our dates are either:

November 30th - December 8th
December 7th - December 15th

What would you recommend?

CANNOT WAIT!

Comicbookmommy --

Welcome!

Thank you for joining us!

I really think that either of your choices would be good, but if you don't care about trying to see the Candlelight Ceremony then I'd probably go for the 12/7-12/15 dates so you can beat the Candlelight crowds. I really don't think the Candlelight crowds are as bad as others think they are, but there are extra people in Disneyland on Candlelight weekend (12/5 and 12/6 this year, we assume) and you may not want to deal with that. I have gone to Disneyland right after the Candlelight Ceremony crowds left, on a Monday, and that Monday (which would be 12/7 this year) was delightful in terms of manageable crowds.

I love Candlelight, so I don't mind being there when it's going on and I would happily go during the 11/30-12/8 block of time, but others may want to avoid Candlelight and go during the second set of dates. I've also gone closer to the middle of December and that was good too. Really, the first half of December is a good time to go. It won't be uncrowded, necessarily, but the crowds will be better in the first half of the month than they will be in the second half.

Everything that is happening for the holiday season should be in full swing during either set of dates, including hotel décor, Downtown Disney festivities, rides, etc.

 

[Comicbookmommy]

Thank you so much Sherry!

That is excellent information and thank you for your input. I didn't know the CP was only a few nights a month, I thought it was multiple times a week all month like Mickey's Halloween Party is in October. So you think there won't be a CP in the later time-frame for the trip? I would indeed prefer to avoid it as I got caught up in the crowd a couple years ago, and was shuttled through backstage to get out of the park. Not very magical! But of course I would try to avoid Main Street all together this time.

I noticed on the front page of this thread that there is a Pharmaceutical Convention (prob. 6-10 this year?) How does it affect crowds in the park? I have a sub. to Touring Plans and it doesn't seem to reflect any change in crowd level during this time, but it seems like it would.

Finally, apologies if this is the wrong thread to ask, but is there still a Thanksgiving Buffet at the Disneyland Hotel?

Humming Christmas music already!

 

[dolphingirl47]

Finally, apologies if this is the wrong thread to ask, but is there still a Thanksgiving Buffet at the Disneyland Hotel?

Yes, there is. We did this last year.

Corinna

 

[Comicbookmommy]

Ok great! Did you enjoy it? Was it worth the money? If you stayed at Disneyland Hotel, was it horribly packed? Sorry for all the questions, I'm considering lengthening the trip at the beginning to include the Thanksgiving meal (not going to parks, just relaxing for a few days over the weekend at the hotel).

 

[dolphingirl47]

Ok great! Did you enjoy it? Was it worth the money? If you stayed at Disneyland Hotel, was it horribly packed? Sorry for all the questions, I'm considering lengthening the trip at the beginning to include the Thanksgiving meal (not going to parks, just relaxing for a few days over the weekend at the hotel).

Yes, I did enjoy it. There were some quite unusual food options. I am a bit torn about the question if it was worth the money. I loved the experience, the setting, the characters and most of the food so I will say yes, for me it was worth it. However, some of the food was a little hit and miss (with the turkey being a big miss for me and I normally love turkey). In this regard, I would have expected better considering the amount I paid. There were a number of quite rare characters out. We did not stay at the Disneyland Hotel. For that part of the trip we stayed offsite at the Howard Johnson. I had spent the morning at California Adventure which was nowhere near as busy as I had expected and then we spent the afternoon resort hopping and none of the resorts felt overly busy.

Corinna

 

[Sherry E]

Thank you so much Sherry!

That is excellent information and thank you for your input. I didn't know the CP was only a few nights a month, I thought it was multiple times a week all month like Mickey's Halloween Party is in October. So you think there won't be a CP in the later time-frame for the trip? I would indeed prefer to avoid it as I got caught up in the crowd a couple years ago, and was shuttled through backstage to get out of the park. Not very magical! But of course I would try to avoid Main Street all together this time.

I noticed on the front page of this thread that there is a Pharmaceutical Convention (prob. 6-10 this year?) How does it affect crowds in the park? I have a sub. to Touring Plans and it doesn't seem to reflect any change in crowd level during this time, but it seems like it would.

Finally, apologies if this is the wrong thread to ask, but is there still a Thanksgiving Buffet at the Disneyland Hotel?

Humming Christmas music already!

You're very welcome!

Yes, Candlelight usually only takes place on both nights of the first full weekend of December, and there are 2 performances each night. In 2012 we had a bonanza of 20 nights/40 performances, which was great for some people and not so much for others! This year, because it's the 60th anniversary year for Disneyland, it seems like it would be a great time to try to add in some extra Candlelight nights again -- but I don't think it will happen, unfortunately.

So if you want to avoid that one weekend, then the 12/7 - 12/15 dates would be better.

The pharmacy convention happened last year (I usually keep the info from the previous year on the first page until we start getting solid info about the current year), and many of the attendees had rooms at the Disney hotels, and many of them visited the parks at some point before or after their convention activities. This year the convention is being held elsewhere, thankfully, and hopefully there won't be any other major conventions popping up during early December.

Also, last year there was something called Raver Day at Disneyland -- which was new to all of us -- and the participants visited the parks on Friday (and probably beyond) of Candlelight weekend too. So, there was a perfect storm of Candlelight crowds, Raver Day people and pharmacy convention folks in the parks that weekend, and many people said it was super, super crowded.

Let's hope we don't have a perfect storm like that again this year!

Yes, Thanksgiving talk is welcome and encouraged in this thread too! We cover the entire holiday season, so any holidays that happen in November, December or early January (Three Kings Day usually ends the holiday season) may be discussed here.

As Corinna mentioned above, there is a Thanksgiving buffet (I'm sure she can fill you in on the details better than I can), and in this holiday food post - http://www.disboards.com/threads/di...iting-details-for-2015.3358217/#post-52730328 - look under the Thanksgiving category and click on some of the links to blogs, which will give you an idea of other Thanksgiving meals to be found at DLR.

 

[pudinhd]

Yes, I did enjoy it. There were some quite unusual food options. I am a bit torn about the question if it was worth the money. I loved the experience, the setting, the characters and most of the food so I will say yes, for me it was worth it. However, some of the food was a little hit and miss (with the turkey being a big miss for me and I normally love turkey). In this regard, I would have expected better considering the amount I paid. There were a number of quite rare characters out. We did not stay at the Disneyland Hotel. For that part of the trip we stayed offsite at the Howard Johnson. I had spent the morning at California Adventure which was nowhere near as busy as I had expected and then we spent the afternoon resort hopping and none of the resorts felt overly busy.

Corinna

I would be very interested in hearing about the rare characters...