Disneyland at Christmas/Holiday Season Superthread #4

[figment_jii]

Thanks, so it won't have taken over when we are there for Christmas Eve.

The soft opening is December 20th. The articles do not specify which elements will be open, but I'm guessing most/much. So by Christmas Eve, I think you'll see lots of Frozen in Hollywoodland.

 

[pumpkin5156]

We were at the parks yesterday and I didn't see one Frozen thing. Granted I have two boys. The only thing that I noticed was the white snow decor over the DL turnstiles, which I don't remember being there 4 years ago (my last holiday trip).

We all loved the gingerbread house in HM. Super funny this year. And when it snowed (which lasted longer than I remember) it smelled like cinnamon. That was new for me as well.

Fireworks were just amazing. Lots of people left after that leaving the park a little more manageable for those last 40 minutes of opening.

We were on the train going through Small World while the light show was going on. That was cool for my 2.5 year old.

People were pretty friendly. I found that if we extended extra courtesy, lots of manners, apologies and smiles, people would respond in kind. There were a few people losing it over really funny things though. Like the paper towel dispenser not working.

 

[Sherry E]

The soft opening is December 20th. The articles do not specify which elements will be open, but I'm guessing most/much. So by Christmas Eve, I think you'll see lots of Frozen in Hollywoodland.

Yes. I agree with this. I don't think the Sneak Peek will hold back on too much, except for maybe the show at the Royal Theatre. Since 12/20 is going to involve a whole lot of people arriving at DLR for Christmas week, Disney will try to get as much of this Frozen madness up and running as they can, when they know they are about to be hit with big crowds.

 

[figment_jii]

We were at the parks yesterday and I didn't see one Frozen thing. Granted I have two boys. The only thing that I noticed was the white snow decor over the DL turnstiles, which I don't remember being there 4 years ago (my last holiday trip).

It's kind of a mixed bag...I don't think there is a lot of concentrated frozen stuff in the parks (yet), but if you look around, you'll find it scattered here and there. As it's been reported in this thread and others, there are Frozen elements in WoC (a lot in this one, you can't really miss it if you watch WoC), the Christmas Parade (one float), the ice skating rink in DTD, A&E boutique in DTD, A&E's M&G in DL (Olaf on the roof), and tons of merchandise in almost every store.

I didn't feel terribly Frozen-overloaded in mid-November, but it might be different when Frozen Fun gets started. It might also because I went with a little one that likes Frozen, so seeing A&E was a big deal to her. It makes dealing with all of those things more worthwhile (to me) if you're there with someone that really likes it.

Yes. I agree with this. I don't think the Sneak Peek will hold back on too much, except for maybe the show at the Royal Theatre. Since 12/20 is going to involve a whole lot of people arriving at DLR for Christmas week, Disney will try to get as much of this Frozen madness up and running as they can, when they know hey are about to be hit with big crowds.

I have to admit that a small part of me thought they might have A&E meet at both locations (DCA and DL). Given their popularity, that seemed like a possibility, but I guess they're just going with DCA at this point. I wonder what will happen to the place where they are currently meeting guests. Poor little Olaf on the roof...being abandoned!

 

[Sherry E]

We were at the parks yesterday and I didn't see one Frozen thing. Granted I have two boys. The only thing that I noticed was the white snow decor over the DL turnstiles, which I don't remember being there 4 years ago (my last holiday trip).

We all loved the gingerbread house in HM. Super funny this year. And when it snowed (which lasted longer than I remember) it smelled like cinnamon. That was new for me as well.

Fireworks were just amazing. Lots of people left after that leaving the park a little more manageable for those last 40 minutes of opening.

We were on the train going through Small World while the light show was going on. That was cool for my 2.5 year old.

People were pretty friendly. I found that if we extended extra courtesy, lots of manners, apologies and smiles, people would respond in kind. There were a few people losing it over really funny things though. Like the paper towel dispenser not working.

pumpkin5156 --

I think you're right -- when we are polite and courteous to people, apologize even when we don't need to, act friendly and nice, etc., most people will respond the same way. In a place like DLR, where everyone will get in each other's way at some point, courtesy and having a good attitude will carry us a long way!

I love the train ride through IASWH when the lights are on -- just beautiful!

The snow above the turnstiles was put up a few years ago -- so Frozen can't claim that addition!

 

[pudinhd]

I have to admit that a small part of me thought they might have A&E meet at both locations (DCA and DL). Given their popularity, that seemed like a possibility, but I guess they're just going with DCA at this point. I wonder what will happen to the place where they are currently meeting guests. Poor little Olaf on the roof...being abandoned!

I totally thought that, too! I hadn't heard anything about them NOT meeting in Disneyland, so I assumed it would continue. Now I am wondering what they will do with that little area... Maybe bring back Rapunzel and Flynn since they are "temporarily" taking away their show?!?!

 

[Sherry E]

I have to admit that a small part of me thought they might have A&E meet at both locations (DCA and DL). Given their popularity, that seemed like a possibility, but I guess they're just going with DCA at this point. I wonder what will happen to the place where they are currently meeting guests. Poor little Olaf on the roof...being abandoned!

I totally thought that, too! I hadn't heard anything about them NOT meeting in Disneyland, so I assumed it would continue. Now I am wondering what they will do with that little area... Maybe bring back Rapunzel and Flynn since they are "temporarily" taking away their show?!?!

Maybe the current M&G area will turn into some sort of Frozen gift shop (you know, like how there used to be a Christmas shop and a Villains shop in Fantasyland), in addition to the one that will be in DCA? I can't see that the Olaf on the roof will disappear forever. For all we know, he may end up stuck somewhere else -- like over the turnstiles at DCA! Or maybe over the arch or somewhere in Hollywood Land, near Olaf's Snow Fest.

 

[pudinhd]

Maybe the current M&G area will turn into some sort of Frozen gift shop (you know, like how there used to be a Christmas shop and a Villains shop in Fantasyland), in addition to the one that will be in DCA? I can't see that the Olaf on the roof will disappear forever. For all we know, he may end up stuck somewhere else -- like over the turnstiles at DCA! Or maybe over the arch or somewhere in Hollywood Land, near Olaf's Snow Fest.

Ugh. I hope not! I think it's such a cute meet & greet area! I agree that Olaf needs to go somewhere, but I really don't like the idea of a Frozen shop there.

 

[figment_jii]

Maybe the current M&G area will turn into some sort of Frozen gift shop (you know, like how there used to be a Christmas shop and a Villains shop in Fantasyland), in addition to the one that will be in DCA? I can't see that the Olaf on the roof will disappear forever. For all we know, he may end up stuck somewhere else -- like over the turnstiles at DCA! Or maybe over the arch or somewhere in Hollywood Land, near Olaf's Snow Fest.

I can totally see this! (Both the shop and Olaf being moved.)

 

[Sherry E]

Just in case anyone missed it (because he just responded this morning), Shawn at the Parks Blog answered my question about "Green Plaid Santa" at the Jingle Jangle Jamboree in the Parks Blog comments (under the Santa Parks Blog from yesterday).

In the past, Disney has always said that Santa would be at his assorted posts through 12/24. Disney has never said that Santa would be at the JJJ in any outfit beyond 12/24. I asked about Green Plaid Santa, who has been seen at the JJJ after Christmas and even after New Year's Day by DIS'er Malcon10t.

So if someone has a need to meet Santa in an outfit other than the red suit (after Christmas Eve), Shawn says he will be there through January 6th -- HERE.

​

 

[dalstitch45]

They are taping Holiday commercials today next to the Christmas tree at Town Square according to the CM I talked to. I saw Minnie and Pluto doing their commercials. Main Street is so beautiful with all the CP stuff up. I haven't seen any CP merchandise yet, except for the pin. Going back to the park shortly for the Holiday Tour.

 

[tlovesdis]

I'm leaving early (4am) tomorrow morning! Work is dragging!!! I am so ready for this vacation!!!!

 

[dsneygirl]

Just in case anyone missed it (because he just responded this morning), Shawn at the Parks Blog answered my question about "Green Plaid Santa" at the Jingle Jangle Jamboree in the Parks Blog comments (under the Santa Parks Blog from yesterday).

In the past, Disney has always said that Santa would be at his assorted posts through 12/24. Disney has never said that Santa would be at the JJJ in any outfit beyond 12/24. I asked about Green Plaid Santa, who has been seen at the JJJ after Christmas and even after New Year's Day by DIS'er Malcon10t.

So if someone has a need to meet Santa in an outfit other than the red suit (after Christmas Eve), Shawn says he will be there through January 6th -- HERE.

​

I wonder if this is the same Santa that meets in Canada at Epcot.

 

[crystal1313]

At DCA right now and the hub cap tree by Stanley is back!! Do to know if this is old news. Just thought I'd share

 

[figment_jii]

I wonder if this is the same Santa that meets in Canada at Epcot.

Similar but not quite the same based on the photo by DisneyGeek from last January.
http://disneygeek.com/disneyland/pictures/large/2014/01/03/43/1

 

[Sherry E]

This is the photo that Malcon10t posted of Green Plaid Santa (who she saw on January 2nd) -- the photo vanished from the previous Christmas/Holiday Season Superthread, so I had to hunt it down in another thread where she had posted it! (It's good that I can remember where and when certain things were posted!)

Anyway, that's the same outfit as the one shown in DisneyGeek's photo that figment_jii linked above, although I thought that Santa wore a slightly different version of the green plaid ensemble at the JJJ/former Reindeer Round-Up a couple of years back -- but I could be wrong. He has never been advertised as being anywhere at DLR beyond 12/24, so I haven't yet seen him in his other, post-Christmas outfit in person.




By the way, did anyone see my question from last night -- HERE -- about the locations of characters in seasonal/holiday attire and the locations for holiday specific PhotoPass pictures? Did I leave anything out? I wanted to add the list to the Photo section/post on page 1.

​

New:

"Five Ways to Celebrate the Holidays on Buena Vista Street at Disney California Adventure Park" -- Disney Parks Blog; posted on December 5th, 2014 by Erin Glover, Social Media Director, Disneyland Resort

​

 

[lorijohnhill]

Sherry, I love the answer you received about who's minding the reindeer! So clever!


Those bell ringer carolers are amazing! I hope they still appear until the 6th!

 

[Sherry E]

Sherry, I love the answer you received about who's minding the reindeer! So clever!

lorijohnhill --

It was a funny response! I'm shocked that Shawn at the Parks Blog took time to reply about Santa since it appeared that he spent the better part of the morning answering "Frozen Fun"-related questions! Because there are so many different elements to Frozen Fun (in both parks), there are so many questions!

I wasn't sure whether or not to add in any Frozen Fun info to the DCA and DL posts on page 1 of this thread at first, as this event is technically not a "holiday season event" -- yet. However, most of Frozen Fun -- if not all of it -- will begin in "sneak peek" form on December 20th (if not a soft launch on 12/19), and will be going on through January 6th, when the holidays officially end. So I added a Frozen Fun section to both the DL and DCA posts, since there will be Frozen Fun elements in both parks.

Also, I think we can all guess that Frozen Fun will be a huge success and -- although certain parts of it may close after May 15th -- chances are very good that it will come back for the actual holiday season of 2015.

In fact, I actually wonder if Disney might try to work the Frozen Fun angle (since 95% of it will be in DCA) into a hard ticket Christmas party next year. I've thought all along that they would be better off having a Christmas party in DCA (when it eventually happens) instead of in DL, and they could use all of that Frozen Fun stuff as party exclusives.

Those bell ringer carolers are amazing! I hope they still appear until the 6th!

I love the Bell Ringers! They are so talented and fun to watch, and I love the vintage outfits. I think that they might stick around longer than the other carolers do at DLR. The carolers at the hotels leave shortly after Christmas, but I think that the Bell Ringers may still be jingling out the tunes beyond that point.

 

[MinnieLovesMickey]

I haven't read the thread yet so I don't know if it's been mentioned yet, I'm over in Cars Land right now and happy to report that the hubcap tree by Stanley is back! I'll try to figure out how to post a picture later.

 

[DisneylandPlanner]

Princessmocha I think you do need to eat there. I bet they could do it but how it worked was they took the picture then when they came around to sell it. They took the voucher back to their room and brought out the picture packet and the lanyard.