OFFICIAL CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY SEASON & NEW YEAR'S 2017 THREAD

[chirurgeon]

I has to give up one vacation day that would give me a full 10 days in California. But since our office is open 365 days a year, my friend traded my Sunday off for her Friday off. Got the confirmation today, so I was doing the happy dance at work today. Five full days and at least two half days to experience everything I can at a smell the roses pace. And food is a MAJOR planning point!

 

[midnight star]

How does this thread keep falling off the top page? Are we not all excited enough for the holidays in Disneyland?

What are you looking forward to the most? Candy canes? Holiday parade? Candle light processional?

For me, it is the music. In the parks, but especially in the lobby of the GCH. We just love to find a comfy seat and listen to the carolers with a hot beverage in hand.

What are you looking forward too?????????

The decorations! The Christmas music! Treats! Everything!!! There is just something special about Disneyland during Christmas. It puts me in the biggest Christmas mood. Last year when they made it snow on Main Street, it was even more magical.

 

[Susie63]

Last year, on the night before we were set to leave for our DL and WDW trip, I ended up in the emergency dept. after a gallbladder attack(my first). I begged the surgeon to let me go and promised to be on my best behavior. My travel insurance was void at that point. I ate steamed fish and plain rice for 2 1/2 weeks. I can't WAIT to try all the food.

 

[ttig34]

A few years ago, I had a similar experience, except my gallbladder attack happened at Disneyland during my Xmas trip. Went to emergency room from the park-was told I had gallstones and most likely would need my gallbladder removed. But in the mean time, gave me pain meds and said to be careful what I eat. So was back at the park the next day, eating only grilled chicken and rice. So still had fun, but a bummer when you cant splurge a little on food when at Disneyland! And put a damper on things when I got home, too= since it was the holiday season and I had to be very careful what I ate.

 

[haileymarie92]

I'm getting super excited for our trip! I love Christmas time at DL!

 

[PoohsFan1]

How does this thread keep falling off the top page? Are we not all excited enough for the holidays in Disneyland?

What are you looking forward to the most? Candy canes? Holiday parade? Candle light processional?

For me, it is the music. In the parks, but especially in the lobby of the GCH. We just love to find a comfy seat and listen to the carolers with a hot beverage in hand.

What are you looking forward too?????????

What am I looking forward too???? Everything, this is our first time at DLR during this time of year. I cannot wait to see all of the decorations in and out of the parks, the yummy treats that will be offered, the holiday fireworks at DL, the Holiday WOC, Holiday HM, Jingle Cruise, Holiday IASW. I can't wait to see Mickey and friends dressed in their holiday best. I cannot wait to be spending Christmas Day at DL park and being immersed in all of the Disney magic on my most favorite holiday.

 

[EDS19]

I've never been right at the beginning of the Christmas season in the parks before, does anyone know if the Santa Claus parade will start Nov 10 too? That would make me SO happy haha!

For the last few years I've been to the parks the first day of the Christmas season and the Christmas Fantasy Parade has always started on the opening day. So it should be running on Nov 10. The one difference last year was for the first week or two they didn't have the Toy Solider band section of the Parade, but then later in the season they added it in.

 

[lwanthony]

I can't wait to see this!!!!!!!

 

[mom2rtk]

For the last few years I've been to the parks the first day of the Christmas season and the Christmas Fantasy Parade has always started on the opening day. So it should be running on Nov 10. The one difference last year was for the first week or two they didn't have the Toy Solider band section of the Parade, but then later in the season they added it in.

I forgot about the missing toy soldiers. I was really unhappy they weren't there the week before Thanksgiving last year. We're going after Thanksgiving this year, so hopefully they're back.




On the March by mom2rtk, on Flickr

IMG_2396 by mom2rtk, on Flickr

 

[2wordsforyou]

So if I'm there on November 9-12, does that mean on the 9th I'll get to see the regular firework shows and stuff? I'm so pumped to take my first Disneyland trip and for it to be Christmasy!

 

[mom2rtk]

So if I'm there on November 9-12, does that mean on the 9th I'll get to see the regular firework shows and stuff? I'm so pumped to take my first Disneyland trip and for it to be Christmasy!

Fireworks will probably be just on weekends that time of year. So the 9th will have regular entertainment, but that's unlikely to include fireworks.

 

[Canadian Harmony]

So here's a question that popped into my mind: For Christmas night dinner, I was thinking of booking Steakhouse 55 (because STEAK!) but I heard that PPH has a themed buffet where characters might make an appearance? Yes? No?

Where would you go for dinner that night? Family of 4 - the girls don't eat much and their favourite Disney food is PB&J Pizza from Goofy's.

 

[rentayenta]

We live locally now and go weekly but do have a weekend at the GCV planned for Dec 15-17!

 

[egritz]

Hey there, joining in! We are going to be returning for Christmas time! This will be our 4th Holiday time visit (can you believe that @Sherry E ??), the last 2 were the week before Thanksgiving (which I LOVED that timing for the AMAZING weather) but with an older kid in sports now we had to push it to the first week of December this year. We are staying at either the Tropicana or the Desert Palm….we have reservations at both places, but will have to evaluate if the Tropicana Executive Disney View Suite is worth the extra $400+ over the Desert Palm Parlor Suite...we've stayed at Desert Palm last year and it was nice w/ fireworks view from our Parlor Suite....any feedback on this decision would be appreciated.


We will be arriving late December 2nd. Unfortunately we won't get there until early evening because our local Santa event that *I* refuse to miss is that weekend (it is a REALLY great looking Santa with a "real" professional photographer and an amazing set). Last year we got to Anaheim by noon on Saturday and were able to spend a couple hours in DCA before our hotel room was ready to get settled in, the kids loved that little taste of the parks on the first day last year!!


Anyway, with the Candlelight Processional being that weekend I think we are going to do an ADR for WOC on Sunday night and either spend all day in DCA or start in DL and head to DCA after a short break. We just need to figure out what other meals we want to schedule besides that WOC dinner and the Santa Breakfast at Catal on our departure day (Dec 9th). Besides Plaza Inn with Minnie we may not do any other character meals and concentrate our food spending on the priority “seating” dinners for parades/shows. I Just realized our 60 day dining window will be opening shortly so I need to start getting caught up on the happenings for this year! Fingers crossed the weather and crowds are mild, our last December trip (2013) was the 2nd week of the month and we felt it was MOBBED so I’m slightly worried, but we’ll just have to go with the flow if that happens this time.

 

[dec2009mama]

put us down for going in the 2017 holiday season fun -- just booked our trip for Dec 5 to Dec 9
haven't been for christmas time since 2014!!!

 

[Susie63]

I am starting to get anxious about this trip. We always go for longer trips...during slower times. I have never made an ADR. There was never any need. Now I feel like I need reservations for everything. It is starting to feel like planning a trip to WDW. Patiently waiting for the 60 day mark. I wish I knew what was going on at RBT. Maybe they are improving the viewing experience. I can't sit on the ground or stand in one spot for too long so that is my only option. Aaaaahhhhh!

 

[millie0312]

Hey there, joining in! We are going to be returning for Christmas time! This will be our 4th Holiday time visit (can you believe that @Sherry E ??), the last 2 were the week before Thanksgiving (which I LOVED that timing for the AMAZING weather) but with an older kid in sports now we had to push it to the first week of December this year. We are staying at either the Tropicana or the Desert Palm….we have reservations at both places, but will have to evaluate if the Tropicana Executive Disney View Suite is worth the extra $400+ over the Desert Palm Parlor Suite...we've stayed at Desert Palm last year and it was nice w/ fireworks view from our Parlor Suite....any feedback on this decision would be appreciated.


We will be arriving late December 2nd. Unfortunately we won't get there until early evening because our local Santa event that *I* refuse to miss is that weekend (it is a REALLY great looking Santa with a "real" professional photographer and an amazing set). Last year we got to Anaheim by noon on Saturday and were able to spend a couple hours in DCA before our hotel room was ready to get settled in, the kids loved that little taste of the parks on the first day last year!!


Anyway, with the Candlelight Processional being that weekend I think we are going to do an ADR for WOC on Sunday night and either spend all day in DCA or start in DL and head to DCA after a short break. We just need to figure out what other meals we want to schedule besides that WOC dinner and the Santa Breakfast at Catal on our departure day (Dec 9th). Besides Plaza Inn with Minnie we may not do any other character meals and concentrate our food spending on the priority “seating” dinners for parades/shows. I Just realized our 60 day dining window will be opening shortly so I need to start getting caught up on the happenings for this year! Fingers crossed the weather and crowds are mild, our last December trip (2013) was the 2nd week of the month and we felt it was MOBBED so I’m slightly worried, but we’ll just have to go with the flow if that happens this time.

If it helps you feel better the difference between the first and second week in December is pretty noticeable to me. It's quite busy the second week and I'm glad we've never been there later then that as we felt mobbed too lol! There is some busier days the first week, but we find it a lot nicer!

 

[chirurgeon]

I am starting to get anxious about this trip. We always go for longer trips...during slower times. I have never made an ADR. There was never any need. Now I feel like I need reservations for everything. It is starting to feel like planning a trip to WDW. Patiently waiting for the 60 day mark. I wish I knew what was going on at RBT. Maybe they are improving the viewing experience. I can't sit on the ground or stand in one spot for too long so that is my only option. Aaaaahhhhh!

Me to, Susie. I will be using an ECV, so I'm not sure if I should even bother with the dining package.

 

[mom2rtk]

Hey there, joining in! We are going to be returning for Christmas time! This will be our 4th Holiday time visit (can you believe that @Sherry E ??), the last 2 were the week before Thanksgiving (which I LOVED that timing for the AMAZING weather) but with an older kid in sports now we had to push it to the first week of December this year. We are staying at either the Tropicana or the Desert Palm….we have reservations at both places, but will have to evaluate if the Tropicana Executive Disney View Suite is worth the extra $400+ over the Desert Palm Parlor Suite...we've stayed at Desert Palm last year and it was nice w/ fireworks view from our Parlor Suite....any feedback on this decision would be appreciated.


We will be arriving late December 2nd. Unfortunately we won't get there until early evening because our local Santa event that *I* refuse to miss is that weekend (it is a REALLY great looking Santa with a "real" professional photographer and an amazing set). Last year we got to Anaheim by noon on Saturday and were able to spend a couple hours in DCA before our hotel room was ready to get settled in, the kids loved that little taste of the parks on the first day last year!!


Anyway, with the Candlelight Processional being that weekend I think we are going to do an ADR for WOC on Sunday night and either spend all day in DCA or start in DL and head to DCA after a short break. We just need to figure out what other meals we want to schedule besides that WOC dinner and the Santa Breakfast at Catal on our departure day (Dec 9th). Besides Plaza Inn with Minnie we may not do any other character meals and concentrate our food spending on the priority “seating” dinners for parades/shows. I Just realized our 60 day dining window will be opening shortly so I need to start getting caught up on the happenings for this year! Fingers crossed the weather and crowds are mild, our last December trip (2013) was the 2nd week of the month and we felt it was MOBBED so I’m slightly worried, but we’ll just have to go with the flow if that happens this time.

Maybe we'll run into you at rope drop on our last day again like 2013! We'll be leaving on the 3rd (after a morning in the parks). We did October in 2015, and the week before Thanksgiving last year. Really looking forward to trying early December again!

 

[chirurgeon]

So, let's talk candy canes! When do they release the dates for the camdy canes? And how early do you need to be in line to be close to the front?