First Christmas visit to DL- what to look for?

[KikoKea]

This will be our 2nd trip to DL. Our first was for the 2014 Halloween party (a blast!) and this year we are going back the 2nd week in Dec to see how DL does Christmas. I know there's no party, unlike WDW- which we enjoyed a couple of years ago- but would like to know what to expect, such as any events or traditions that are unique to DL we should not miss? Thanks in advance!

We have 3 days, 8th-10th, with reservations at Blue Bayou on my bd.

 

[Californian Elitist]

Christmas at Disneyland is just like Halloween at Disneyland; there are special offerings, though Disney doesn't charge extra like they do for Halloween. Haunted Mansion Holiday will still be available. "it's a small world" Holiday has temporarily replaced "it's a small world," and I'm pretty sure Jingle Cruise is still on for this year. Not sure of a Christmas Fantasy and Believe will be put on this year. Both are lackluster and incredibly dated, in my opinion, so you wouldn't be missing out (I could understand wanting to see them in your case). In short, I'd just say expect it to be like Halloween, only themed to Christmas.

 

[KikoKea]

Christmas at Disneyland is just like Halloween at Disneyland; there are special offerings, though Disney doesn't charge extra like they do for Halloween. Haunted Mansion Holiday will still be available. "it's a small world" Holiday has temporarily replaced "it's a small world," and I'm pretty sure Jingle Cruise is still on for this year. Not sure of a Christmas Fantasy and Believe will be put on this year. Both are lackluster and incredibly dated, in my opinion, so you wouldn't be missing out (I could understand wanting to see them in your case). In short, I'd just say expect it to be like Halloween, only themed to Christmas.

Thanks. I checked the DL website and noted a few events, like the World of Color shows and the Navidad party in CA. Anyways, there are still some attractions we did not get to last time so those are on my list.

 

[Twilight_Roxas]

The Christmas fireworks won't be showing this year, and both World of Color Winter Dreams, and World of Color Celebrate will both be showing one for the first showing, and the other for the second showing.

 

[Twilight_Roxas]

There's also season of the force which will have Star Wars stuff this year like the Hyperspace Mountain overlay.

 

[KikoKea]

The Christmas fireworks won't be showing this year, and both World of Color Winter Dreams, and World of Color Celebrate will both be showing one for the first showing, and the other for the second showing.

I wondered about the 2 different WoCs listed. That should be nice- we enjoyed the show last year. I"m guessing the fireworks, if any, will be something to do with the 60th? That's OK, if so. Just thought there might be some little, less noticed changes or special touches to look out for.

 

[KikoKea]

There's also season of the force which will have Star Wars stuff this year like the Hyperspace Mountain overlay.

That sounds like fun! Space Mt at DL is so smooth! We come off the Fla one feeling like we're an inch shorter and ache for the rest of the day.

 

[Californian Elitist]

Thanks. I checked the DL website and noted a few events, like the World of Color shows and the Navidad party in CA. Anyways, there are still some attractions we did not get to last time so those are on my list.

Yes, I completely forgot about DCA. There are special offering there as well, and they're pretty popular with guests.

 

[GiveMeTheMusic]

Viva Navidad is wonderful, don't miss it. A Christmas Fantasy Parade is lovely, and you won't find it as tiresome as we might (it's been running for 20 years!). No Christmas fireworks this year, which isn't a big loss as Forever is a MUCH better show.

If you're into treats, fresh candy canes are made on certain dates at both DL and DCA. I don't think the schedule has been released yet, but they're a big deal (and physically very big!) and really wonderful. Plaza Inn also has an amazing Yule log cake dessert.

It's a small world Holiday is fantastic. Be sure to see it at night all lit up.

 

[Crazydisneyfanluke]

Any idea which version of winter dreams they will be showing? From what u have heard, last year's was unpopular compared to its first year.

 

[KikoKea]

Thanks for everyone's thoughts. We like to look for small details, too, like window dressings on main st, the tree decorations, etc. I'm looking forward to IASW- one of my favorites. Do the DL hotels decorate? We have our arrival evening free and wanted to check them out.

 

[GiveMeTheMusic]

Thanks for everyone's thoughts. We like to look for small details, too, like window dressings on main st, the tree decorations, etc. I'm looking forward to IASW- one of my favorites. Do the DL hotels decorate? We have our arrival evening free and wanted to check them out.

They do. The grand has a gingerbread house, so worth poking around. Skip paradise pier hotel.

 

[George Lucas on a Bench]

As of this weekend, it's still at the point where the Christmas (or, Holiday?) stuff is tolerable, and they aren't pumping out the music 24/7, there isn't a giant fake tree blocking everything, Jungle Cruise is not yet the, uh, "fruitcake" version, and the entire population of the United States isn't packed into Disneyland. Main Street looks great right now with minimal decorations and no tree, but that won't last for long. There's a charm to it all currently. I did "it's a small world" Holiday once, and that's enough. "Jingle Shells" will forever haunt my nightmares. Can't wait for them to turn that one back, along with Haunted Mansion, which has seemingly been transformed into a neon cartoon version for, like, ever at this point.

 

[KikoKea]

They do. The grand has a gingerbread house, so worth poking around. Skip paradise pier hotel.

Love gingerbread house @ Grand Fla, so will definitely check out Ca Grand. Actually, did not plan to wander over to PP, but thanks for letting me know I wouldn't have missed anything!

 

[KikoKea]

As of this weekend, it's still at the point where the Christmas (or, Holiday?) stuff is tolerable, and they aren't pumping out the music 24/7, there isn't a giant fake tree blocking everything, Jungle Cruise is not yet the, uh, "fruitcake" version, and the entire population of the United States isn't packed into Disneyland. Main Street looks great right now with minimal decorations and no tree, but that won't last for long. There's a charm to it all currently. I did "it's a small world" Holiday once, and that's enough. "Jingle Shells" will forever haunt my nightmares. Can't wait for them to turn that one back, along with Haunted Mansion, which has seemingly been transformed into a neon cartoon version for, like, ever at this point.

Well, I hope the Christmas music is going strong, the tree is up, and the holiday is in full swing when we get there in 4 weeks! (Except for the crowds, of course ) We are big Nightmare fans, and were happy to see it for the first time last year at Halloween and will be happy to see it again this year, too.

And, we'll take a look around Big Thunder area that closing- not going to stuff ourselves at the BBQ, but will pet the goats, if they're out. Guess we'll have to ride the boat, too, since we've never seen the DL RoA. Will be a while before it is open again.

 

[Disneysea05]

Love gingerbread house @ Grand Fla, so will definitely check out Ca Grand. Actually, did not plan to wander over to PP, but thanks for letting me know I wouldn't have missed anything!

If you have time to check out all the hotels, do it, they're all within minutes walk from one another. The christmas tree at the Paradise Pier Hotel is smaller but still very beautiful in person and ocean themed.

And each tower at the Disneyland Hotel has trees themed to their respective tower (Frontier, Adventure)

 

[KikoKea]

If you have time to check out all the hotels, do it, they're all within minutes walk from one another. The christmas tree at the Paradise Pier Hotel is smaller but still very beautiful in person and ocean themed.

And each tower at the Disneyland Hotel has trees themed to their respective tower (Frontier, Adventure)

Thanks. Maybe we will walk over, then. We get in about 4pm, I think, so will have time to see the hotels and have dinner at DTD. It's supposed to be cold, 70* down to 47*, so great holiday weather for jackets, hats, etc.

 

[HauntedMansionFLA]

When is the best time to visit DL to see the holiday offerings? And I mean smallest crowds. Never been to DL. WDW us starting to get too crowded. Thank you

 

[KikoKea]

When is the best time to visit DL to see the holiday offerings? And I mean smallest crowds. Never been to DL. WDW us starting to get too crowded. Thank you

Check the crowd calendars and you'll see that weekdays during the first part of Dec is best- that's when we are going. The closer to Christmas/NY, the busier it gets.

 

[zooey]

I really like trying all the different holiday food and treats. You could also consider trying to get one of the infamous candy canes offered every season. We did that last year and it was crazy but we had a blast.