Sherry E
Currently tag-less...
- Joined
- Jan 5, 2008
Beautiful pictures mvf!! Wow!! Those are definitely getting me excited about our trip on the 24th.
We're all packed, house is cleaned (HATE coming home from a vacation to a dirty house -- am I the only one? lol) and kids are beyond excited! Our vacation starts a day early as we are staying at my parents the night before we leave to have a Pre-Christmas Eve celebration. Then we will be up bright and early for our 6:30am flight. Ugh! That is the only thing I am dreading about the vacation. Getting up at 2:30am is not at the top of my favorite things to do list. lol Hopefully we will get some sleep on one of the THREE flights we need to take (hate Delta airlines for screwing up our flights and changing things two WEEKS before we leave!!). Once we are in California all will be forgotten though I'm sure. We get into SNA at 5pm I believe, then off to the PPH and then to the park for the evening. No specific plans that evening, just going to wing it and enjoy Christmas Eve int he park. Can't wait!! This will be our first Christmas vacation away as a family so while it will be different than the big family get togethers we are used to during this time of the year, I'm sure we will be fine and enjoy our time with just the four of us.
Thanks to everyone in the Christmas thread for all of the help!! I'll be sure to post a trip report upon our return!!
StyledSugar -
I hope the trip went well for you! When you have time, be sure to post here with a recap or review. I feel somehow invested in whether or not my Superthread people have good, rewarding holiday trips! It's not like I work for Disney or anything, but I like to see how things play out from way back when a person first started asking questions about the season (to plan out their trip), to when the trip finally comes to fruition. I always hope that the information/photos that have been provided and the discussions that have taken place here in the thread (well, in the previous thread) will help to create a great trip, and that most people will return from the parks with a love for the holidays at DLR!
And...did you get the Santa Mickey nutcracker in the Disney Showcase store (or anywhere)? After I showed fellow DIS'ers Laurie/DizNee Luver and Liza/funatdisney a picture of those specific Santa nutcrackers and explained that they appeared to be flying off the shelves in at least two stores, they both ended up getting a Santa Mickey at the Showcase store! Of course, this was back in the Wed., December 12th time frame, so I wasn't sure if Santa Mickey had disappeared from Showcase since then.
Getting everything ready to leave tomorrow afternoon - I'm so excited!
Let us know how it went, TotalDreamer!
I hope you had a great time!
I was able to see the CP for the very first time and was fortunate to attend the very last show on the 20th with John Stamos. I captured video of the performance and posted it to YouTube here: http://youtu.be/ZlghoS7dplg
The day after, we stood in line for Candy Canes and there was some confusion at the gates because there was Magic Mornings at both parks. We were directed to the farthest left gate and were told we would be in by 7:30 or 7:45. There were about 10 of us lined up, all wanting Candy Canes, and we were doubtful we would get one because of all of the Magic Morning people. The MM people were let in promptly at 7 and we could see some of them running, which we were assuming to get the wristbands. A few minutes later, a CM decided to give us some holiday magic and also let us in early. We went straight to Candy Palace and there were only a handful of people in line. Mission accomplished and the Candy Cane is definitely unlike any other I've ever had.
swooshbear -
Thank you so much for posting the CP link and the info about the candy canes!
So many people wonder about those candy canes and what makes them so special. Some folks just want to actually see them being made. It's good to know that there is something different about them that puts them in a league above other candy canes!
About the CP - What did you think of the crowds and the CP's impact on Main Street? I would have definitely signed on for a John Stamos CP if he had narrated earlier on in the month. I knew that December 20th would be really busy anyway (the closer to Christmas it gets, the more crowded it gets), but because John is such a huge Disneyland fan I'm sure that he attracted a lot more people to the parks to see him. I would have liked to see Kurt Russell, Dick Van Dyke or John Stamos, but I'm actually really happy that I got to see the Lou Diamond Phillips CP nights - he did a fine job - and I feel very lucky that I got seats both of those nights.
Plus, I don't know if I'm the only one who feels this way, but I am quite happy that I finally got to see the CP in its original, historical, longtime setting - Town Square - before it moves elsewhere. I know that most people hope that it moves to the Hyperion next year (because they think that this will diminish crowds on Main Street and eliminate scheduling issues - not realizing that if the CP moves to DCA it will likely be because there is a paid Christmas party in DL, which will then cause all kinds of other crowd and scheduling issues). I'm sure the CP will still be a lovely show when it's in a theater, but it won't be the same or have the same intimate - almost haunting - vibe that it has in Town Square! It just won't.
I really think that Town Square is a wonderful setting for the CP - and sure, I got caught up in some of the slow-moving crowds on Main Street as I was exiting the park during the last CP of the night (I saw the first show of the night), but it was fine. It didn't ruin my trip, or my night. I've seen worse crowds than that in Adventureland and New Orleans Square after Fantasmic, and on New Year's Eve many years ago.
Wow, wow, wow! All I can say to everyone who posted in the other Superthread, esp Sherry, is THANKS!!! We just completed our trip and it was amazing. We (7 of us) were in the parks Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and the day after Christmas going on rides and expected HUGE crowds, but they did not come. It was BUSY, but not at all what any of us expected. Thursday, on the other hand (two days after Christmas), the park seemed packed and there were only 3 of us! Perhaps it was the weather forecast with expected rain several of the days but it only rained a little on Monday (Christmas Eve) morning and the rest of the trip the weather was fantastic!
Now, to add to the thread...
Highlights:
Holiday Tour... Honestly, the tour itself (the information provided) is very good, but not fantastic (imo) but the other perks make up for it to make this a major highlight. Some of the info/stories is interesting - she even talked about the candy canes. Visited both parks and heard stories not only about Disneyland but different cultures and how the holidays are celebrated/etc. Got to snack on either an Egg Nog or Peppermint Marshmellow (my son and I did Peppermint and it was DELICIOUS) and the timing within the tour was good. Getting walk-on access to HMH and IASWH was great, no waiting, just walk-in and go. Totally worth it and both rides were amazing, love the way they re-did IASW for the holidays... Hot chocolate in a souvenir cup was very tasty and appreciated by all (and if bought outside the tour is a $10-15 purchase) along with the gingerbread... But the creme de la creme was when we walked to the parade area with everyone sitting around and they open up a rope for us to cross the empty street to our our cushioned seats facing It's a Small World Holiday. It's a priceless moment when your 73-year old mom comments on how she feels like such a VIP. For $55 after the AAA discount I would absolutely do this any time I visited the park for the holidays.
Decorations... Obviuously this is a big reason to visit. Christmas Trees, wreaths, decorations everywhere. Very beautiful... I must say it is A LOT better to view the decorations at night when everything is lit up but are still nice during the day.
Characters... Thankfully my DS8 still loves the characters and it was great to see so many characters out there decked out in holiday gear. I will add all of the Santas they have.
Photopass Plus... While this is not a Christmas item I know some were on the fence about it and want to say that I'm glad I did it. When we visited 3 years ago we did 3 character dining experiences but didn't want to purchase 3 sets of pictures at $30-40 a pop. This time we only did 2 character dining experiences, but we took both sets of pictures and that alone paid for the photo pass plus (pre-ordered at $70). But you also get the CD and the ride pictures included as well. Totally worth it and I'm looking forward to getting in there and seeing how everything turned out.
Fireworks... Amazing. Saw them multiple times from different locations. The best for us was with Fantasmic! - see below for comments. Never saw them from the castle area, but didn't feel the need to.
World of Color... It was great to see Prep and Landing in there, adds some nice Christmas cheer to the show and the show was great (first time seeing it). Would be nice to have the show be even more customized for Christmas but was great nonetheless.
Dessert Dining for Fantasmic!... Again, not a Christmas item but it was part of our overall experience and it was great. I did this with my son and mom and it I lined up at about 7:45pm to reserve seats. Due to my DS8 the CM recommended to take the last remaining front row seats off to the far left. They would work well for F! but they would block the fireworks and they would try to move us to see them. Showed up 5 mins before show time and saw everyone sitting around having waited for a long time to get close-up seats and took our chairs and enjoyed the show. The CM serving us was on top of everything as I wanted to start with a soft drink but wanted a hot chocolate to end the show and she was there. Then they did move us to great seats for the fireworks show and brought my son and I another hot chocolate for the fireworks. Snow fell, we got the full experience and my mom again felt like a VIP. I really thought we were served well and while I didn't think the CM could accept tips I asked anyway and was surprised to find they were allowed to accept tips - and she got one
Shopping... Love all the ornaments you could buy, they are great.... China Closet for the win! I assume they are only out at Christmastime but since I've never visited the store otherwise I couldn't say. Note that Shopping is also a low-point (below).
Low-points: - with every trip something must go wrong...
Dinner... Christmas Eve dinner at Blue Bayou for a party of 7... The food was great the problem - getting a table. We had reservations at 8pm. At 8:45 we were still waiting for a table and my dad was steaming at this point (not very patient and was in the restaurant business his whole life) and had complained several times. We finally got a table - the problem they were having was seating a party of 7. They did appease us with 6 magical any ride fast passes (good on any ride in Disneyland even if they don't accept fast passes, except Matterhorn for some reason, for up to 6 people each).
Christmas Eve Goodnight... CANCELLED!!!!! A couple of characters were milling around the front of Disneyland in their night-time outfits so I asked a CM if they had already said Goodnight and she said they weren't doing the Christmas Eve Goodnight this year and recommended that if we were disappointed we should complain @ City Hall in hopes it'll return next year (I got the impresstion she and most CM's were not happy it was gone). Never made it to CH to complain, anyway to complain to them online or through email??
Shopping... Yes, this was a high-point but also a low-point. how can they sell out of their 2012 gear BEFORE CHRISTMAS?!?!?! I REALLY wanted one of those Merriest Place on Earth shirts and they were NO WHERE. They lost a sale from me. Still bought my son a generic Disney shirt, still bought the ornaments. Would have bought more items though.
Items we missed out on: - either couldn't fit it in or just totally forgot about them until too late...
Jingle Jangle Jamboree - paid it a visit after the holidays. Seemed nicely setup. Characters were still there but $6 to decorate a cookie?!?! Really?? I assume it was more festive before the holidays but not sure.
Mad Tea Party - Disappointed we missed this. Oh well.
Candy Canes - We missed them on Christmas Eve (didn't think about looking into it).
Well, that's all I can think of for now. Haven't sorted through all the pics yet but wanted to come here and say THANKS to everyone who has contributed and hope you've had a Merry Christmas and have a Happy New Year!
J.
JediMasterNerd -
Thank you so, so much for coming back here and posting such a wonderful, detailed review that covered a lot of great subjects! I think you touched on a lot of things that people are currently interested in or talking about (such as PhotoPass Plus).
It sounds as though it was mostly a fantastic trip and that you had an amazing time.
I can't believe that the Christmas Eve Goodnight was cancelled! I know that there were at least 3 or 4 DIS'ers (from this thread alone) who were planning to see it. I wonder if it has been cancelled forever, and I wonder why. It's not like the CP was still going on by December 24th so the CP set-up wouldn't have affected it.
I definitely think the weather forecast helped to keep crowds down. For SoCal, compared to what we normally have through the year, we have actually had a decent bit of rain recently. So there was probably a strong enough likelihood that it would rain on your dates to keep people away, even if it didn't really pan out to be all that much.
That's too bad about the Merriest Place on Earth shirt (that's the red shirt, correct?). I assume you also looked in World of Disney? I found a shirt in World of Disney that I could no longer find in the stores in both parks.
China Closet is a great shop - in the past I have bought some of my favorite items there. China Closet does sell some holiday things year-round in a section of the store (though it is not an official year-round Christmas store because they mostly sell other things), including some ornaments, and then when it gets closer to the season they sell even more holiday things!
I was amazed by how beautiful and elegant so many of the ornaments are. They come in so many different colors and styles, and yet they all have Mickey on them somewhere, somehow.
Seriously, this was pretty frustrating to me too. DBF and I visited Dec 9-11 and no 2012 ornaments were to be found. 2013 merch was already starting to crowd in. Really now? If we visit in 2012, we want a 2012 ornament, not a 2013 one. We asked a CM how long they keep it in stock for and she said that they keep ordering shipments throughout the year until they run out. What does that even mean??! How can you run out of merch if you keep ordering it??! Keep the merch in stock until the last day of 2012 or at LEAST until Christmas. Ugh.
mysteriouspnai -
You certainly would not be the only one to be annoyed at this merchandise situation! It seems that more and more people are becoming bothered by not being able to find the appropriate year's merchandise when they visit, and more people have been mentioning it on this board this season.
I know that some items can certainly catch on and unexpectedly fly off the shelves (like the Santa Mickey nutcracker I mentioned in my reply to StyledSugar above), so Disney might not be prepared for that because they don't necessarily know what will catch on and what won't. But it sounds as if they just order a finite number of holiday items up to a hard end date, and then if the items are sold out at that point then they are gone for good. In other words, if something sells out well before 12/25 and their cut-off date to order holiday stock for the year was, say, 12/10, then I guess they wouldn't be ordering more. Their cut-off/end date for ordering more holiday season merchandise is probably well before the actual holiday season is even midway through! They probably place one big final holiday order in early December or late November and hope that it lasts all the way to January 6th! They probably begin ordering the non-holiday stuff for the new year well before January 1st.
I am just guessing at how it's all run, of course - I don't know any of it for sure.