bamagirl36507 --
Welcome!
I think that
figment_jii and
Bret/mvf-m11c would probably be able to offer more specific info about F! and WOC, as well as the dining options for those shows, and times.
As for the rides during EMH -- I hopes that others weigh in on this as well. Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I think that on a day when California Adventure is your EMH park, you should be able to get on Radiator Springs Racers in Cars Land. If not, or if I am incorrect, I'd go for Toy Story Midway Mania, California Screamin' or Soarin.' I have been in DCA during an EMH, and I am struggling to remember what exactly was open, or if everything was open.
In Disneyland, there are not as many things open during the EMH/MM. Usually it is just Fantasyland and Tomorrowland that are open. A lot of people rush to Peter Pan, as that line gets long very fast. You may want to try that. IF It's a Small World Holiday happens to be open during the EMH (usually it is not, but I was there once when it was open early), you could get on that before the line grows. If you like the Matterhorn and it's open, of course, head for that. The Teacups have a nice short line during EMH/MM, as does Alice. The Nemo Subs can have a super-long line, so you might want to hit that.
When you say "must do things during this time that might not get as much advertisement," do you mean rides and shows? Or just general holiday season things? I think it depends on who is in your group (all adults, adults with very young kids, adults with older kids, etc.).
In general, I would suggest making a point of seeing Viva Navidad in California Adventure -- it's a colorful, fun, lively event featuring a "street party" and authentic food, decorations and theme-appropriate characters (such as the Three Caballeros).
I think that the Jingle Jangle Jamboree in Frontierland is a fun area for kids. There are holiday games, crafts and treats. Characters wear holiday attire. Santa Claus may or may not still be there after Christmas, but if he is there beyond 12/25 he wears a different outfit (not the red suit) and greets guests. There are cute, rustic reindeer decorations all around the area. There is cookie decorating and a little stage show.
This is not something that is necessarily advertised by Disney, but it is known on Disney discussion boards such as this as being a great thing to do -- enjoying the GCH lobby. Since you will be staying at the GCH you will be passing through the lobby every day, but if you have some time and want to relax, grab a beverage or snack from Downtown Disney, from the nearby Hearthstone Lounge or from the snack area next to the large gingerbread house, and hunker down in the comfortable chairs, or near the hearth. I don't think that Santa Claus or the Christmas carolers will still be there during your dates, but the giant Christmas tree will still be there. Lots of people plop down around the tree and just chat, take photos, etc. The pianist will probably be there, playing some seasonal tunes. I can't explain it, but it's just a nice, cozy atmosphere for unwinding. You can still be in a Disney environment, but not out in the chaos of the parks. And you can, of course, drink adult beverages in the hotel lobby too, if that's what you prefer.
Another thing that you can do at the GCH is visit the Napa Rose lounge. While you would need a reservation for the actual Napa Rose restaurant, you don't need one for the lounge. You can order many of the same beverages and appetizers that you would be ordering inside the restaurant (such as NR's popular hot chocolate).
I don't know if these things will be going on during your dates because they are post-Christmas, but the GCH offers a "Winter Ornament Workshop" (making snowglobes). There is also a "Merriest Holiday Hunt" that takes place for all onsite hotel guests (of any of the 3 DLR hotels), and that may or may not still be going on during your trip.
I always like to suggest walking around the other hotels as well, as they all have different trees and decorations.
Visit Tangaroa Terrace at the Disneyland Hotel for really good and interesting counter service food. Trader Sam's right next door to TT is popular for snacks and adult beverages as well -- people love the atmosphere!
White Water Snacks at the GCH is a popular counter service location that always gets good reviews. I enjoy Storytellers Cafe's cozy, earthy environment for lunch or dinner (and that's at the GCH too). Both Storytellers and White Water should have miniature gingerbread houses as well.
There will probably be some New Year's Eve events and/or special dining at some of the restaurants in Downtown Disney, such as Catal, Jazz Kitchen and maybe Tortilla Jo's.
MarcV --
I loved that Candlelight ran for 20 nights, as it meant that I finally got to see it! I had been wanting to see it for years, but tales of crowds and waiting all day always scared me away. When the 20-night bonanza took place, I could finally see it and actually have seats, two nights in a row. I love, love, LOVED Candlelight. I am a huge Christmas fan anyway, and I love Christmas music. I loved the whole setting -- the candlelight in Town Square really added a haunting quality to it. I almost tried for a Kurt Russell night in 2012, but I ended up with Lou Diamond Phillips instead -- which was fine. He did a good job. The music was so moving -- especially the young man singing "Silent Night" -- and everyone was in good spirits and happy to be there. In 2013 I saw Candlelight again, but that time I did not get seats. I wanted to see Kurt Russell narrate, since I had missed him in 2012.
Candlelight is definitely something that everyone who truly loves Christmas and Christmas music should see. I would not recommend it for the casual Christmas fan -- if someone really just likes decorations and gingerbread cookies, and otherwise doesn't care that much about Christmas, I would say that Candlelight is not worth the effort. But for those who really view that time of year as extra special and magical, those who don't mind the non-secular aspect of the Ceremony, and those who like choirs and things of that sort, Candlelight is for you!
mrsbicewdw --
Good to see you back with us -- though I don't think you missed too much while you were away! All we really know so far is that the Christmas parade is supposed to be off the holiday schedule this year (although that could always change), the holiday fireworks are not happening this year, and the holiday version of Winter Dreams is supposedly not happening either. More than likely there will be no garland hanging over Main Street, as it would interfere with some taller parade floats. The old rumor (from last year) was that the long-departed Christmas star -- not seen since the early '70s -- will be making a grand return to the top of the Matterhorn. I think that is very likely to happen, as we have already seen the return of the Hatbox Ghost in Haunted Mansion.
The Winter Castle is a mystery. Personally, I like the icicle lights at night during the holiday season, and I can't imagine the Castle not looking like that this year. I don't think the current nighttime Castle is quite as spectacular. But I don't know if the current "diamond" overlay of the Castle would take the place of the icicles for the rest of the year, or if the sparkle factor would be amped up several notches for the holidays. I would hope that the holiday Castle is extra special, and not just the same one that's there right now.
You're absolutely right that December seems so much closer. Last year it seemed like, once we began the Theme Week Countdown in July and the assorted Fall/Halloween products began appearing on the shelves in July as well, everything after that just zipped by at lightning speed.
I'm glad to see that your plans are still on track!
lunaland --
You're welcome!
I was spoiled after my 2012 Candlelight seats as well! I would have given anything for a seat in 2013, as I was in a lot of pain (in my leg, which is also related to having a bad back!), but I stood and watched Candlelight, smooshed in the crowds. After a while I had to make a quick escape because the cold air (30 degrees) was not agreeing with the pain in my leg, and I began to feel queasy. You never want to feel a sudden wave of nausea come over you when you are standing in a big crowd. So I had to push my way OUT of the crowd. People were getting annoyed with me for causing them to have to move an inch, but I was trying to get OUT -- not cut in front of them to get a better view!
That's why it annoyed me to no end that those people who sat on the planter were escorted out of that area by a CM and then placed in actual chairs to watch the rest of the CP. I was standing there in pain and nauseous and didn't try sneaky tactics to get a seat -- but they sat in the wrong spot and got chairs!
Yes -- I think that a lot of people will wait in Town Square all day long to get those benches.
In 2013 got in line for the second CP while the first CP was still going on. I stood in the line that was forming on Main Street. I think it was around 6:30 or so. Maybe earlier. I ended up on the right side (facing the stage).
LoriLovesMickey --
Thank you for posting that! I guess that
sgrap never saw my question to her about IASWH being decorated in 2005, so I am glad you posted the photo! I thought that IASWH had the outside lights in 2005, but your photo confirmed it. I don't think there is any doubt that IASWH will be back in its full glory this year. It's too popular an attraction to not bring back, and too many other holiday shows are not happening. I think that the projections on the IASW façade will happen as usual during Disneyland Forever, and then when the fireworks are over the IASWH lights will come back on.
flyingdumbo127 -
I feel fine -- I'm not sick at all. I took ZzzQuil because I needed to sleep -- that medicine is just for sleep! It's NyQuil and DayQuil that are used for colds and flus and what not.
99 cents is definitely a great deal for Dreyer's/Edy's ice cream of any flavor, but I just can't deal with that deceptive Slow Churned nonsense. It's a great price, though, if someone just wants to try the ice cream and see if they like it.
JadeDarkstar -
The 99 Cents Only stores really do have some great finds -- and they have things that you have to grab right away, or they will be gone the next time you go in! They always have good brands of dish liquid and hand soap (all the brands that everyone knows and uses), good toothpaste, good plates and large mugs and things like that. Plus, they get in lots of seasonal products that are left over after the seasons have ended (like the Pumpkin Pie Pop Tarts). They also have a lot of good fruit and vegetables now as well. Produce is not cheap at grocery stores, but at the 99 Cents Only store it is!
scopewest --
I've never been to Times Square, but from what I've seen of the crowds waiting for the ball to drop, Disneyland will not be that bad. It might get a bit like that on Main Street, leading up to midnight -- it was pretty uncomfortable the one and only time I decided to try New Year's Eve at Disneyland. However, in the rest of the park the crowds should not be wall to wall, at a standstill, all day long.
The parks will be busy -- so at least you know that going in, and know to expect it. Yes, Disneyland will reach capacity at some point in the period of time after Christmas and by/before New Years (unless it is raining). Capacity could happen on one or more days that week, and they will stop letting people in the park for a while if it reaches capacity. You may or may not be able to get back in the park, or you may have to go over to the other park. I would probably plan to stay in Disneyland and not leave until you're ready to go back to the hotel for the night.
And I've never met Pocahontas! My 5 y/o son would adore meeting her. He's super scared of the Country Bears though, haha. They're in his "
). 
Every last carton was Slow Churned (that's because it's not as good as the full fat kind, and not many people buy it so the stores have a lot of extras left!). Oh, the searing sting of disappointment.... 
)
