Disneyland at Christmas/Holiday Season Superthread #5

[mommymermaid]

I tried all of that and got a WDW Pin code

Really? I have always gotten Disneyland, but, man, I would love a Disneyworld code. I haven't had a chance to visit!

 

[Miggee]

I got 25% off the room, so the actual rate will vary. The PPH was $228 and the DLH was $305/night. It comes with a fast pass for each member (to any attraction, any time, whether it takes fast passes or not), and a $20 dining voucher. The fast pass sealed the deal for me!! Ha!!

are discounts offered at GC as well? for AP only or Disney Visa holders too? thanks.

 

[fsjking]

Really? I have always gotten Disneyland, but, man, I would love a Disneyworld code. I haven't had a chance to visit!

I think the problem is that they had codes out for the week I'm going before I started searching, and on top of that the Fall room offer, and the hotels are just getting booked up. It's starting to look busy the first week of December.

 

[cinder-ellah]

I tried all of that and got a WDW Pin code

Whenever I am soooo lucky to even get a Pin Code its for WDW
DL is only a 2 hour 20 min flight for us, where as WDW is a 6 hour flight.
Not that I don't want to go to WDW .....
But its odd, cause I'm mainly on the DL site.
Hmmmmm, maybe if I'm over on the WDW site I'll get a DL Pin Code.

 

[Carolynleanne]

Hi all!

We'll be in 'the land' from December 1st - 5th. It's our first Disney Christmas - even though we are Disney regulars! Hoping the Candlelight Processional doesn't mess with the schedule of our weekend TOO much. We're really excited about the Holiday parade!

 

[SecretPoohLove]

I just called to check details for the Holiday Time Tour. The cast member confirmed that it does not include rides this year, but does include a fast pass for the Haunted Mansion (don't believe anyone else has posted that info yet). I asked about the VIP tour at the same time and the holiday pricing is $550/hour for a 6 hour minimum.

This stinks. I booked the tour for the three rides access as a selling point. I s, going to be very dissapointed.

 

[cinder-ellah]

I just got this email from Disney. Probably info that you know already, just sharing :

"The 2016 Candlelight Processional and Ceremony will be held on Saturday, December 3, 2016 and Sunday, December 4. 2016. There will be two shows per night. One at 5:30pm and the other is at 7:45pm. The narrators have not been announced quite yet. Reserved seating is by invitation only, so unfortunately there are no tickets available for the reserved seating sections.

There are some options to watch Candlelight. If you have a ticket for the park that day, there are some standing areas around the reserved seating that you can watch the show. People do line up for these areas quite early to reserve a spot. Our guest control cast members will be in charge of how early and where you can wait to get a standing spot for the show. Your best option would be to get there early ask a guest control cast member when they are allowing guests to wait for the performance. I hope this helps, please let me know if you have any other questions.

We hope you have a wonderful time at the Disneyland Resort!

Thank You!
Candlelight Processional Specialist
Guest Talent Events 714.781.7634
DLR.Candlelight@Disney.com"

 

[Jaina]

I am so sad! I have been dreaming of seeing PTN and hoping, but we are there Nov 28-Dec 1. It is offered until the night before our trip, and again the night after we're there. If they had posted the schedule sooner I could have moved our trip around a little, but it's not possible now. Sigh.

Anyway. The parks open at 10 am Nov 28, 29, and 30, then Dec 1 it opens at 8 am. Then the next day (Friday) opening is 9 am. Is something weird going on Thursday the 1st?

 

[mom2rtk]

I sure miss @Sherry E posting on the holiday thread. I hope all is well with her.

I do hope she can find a moment, or maybe one of the other mods can find a moment, to update the title. Holiday time is 2 weeks out and while we don't have a complete picture of the offerings, we do have some information now available and "no 2016 info yet" isn't quite accurate.

 

[lorijohnhill]

I agree. The threads just aren't the same without Sherry.

 

[cinder-ellah]

I sure miss @Sherry E posting on the holiday thread. I hope all is well with her.

I do hope she can find a moment, or maybe one of the other mods can find a moment, to update the title. Holiday time is 2 weeks out and while we don't have a complete picture of the offerings, we do have some information now available and "no 2016 info yet" isn't quite accurate.

I agree. The threads just aren't the same without Sherry.

Yes, I miss Sherry and appreciate all her good work to develop this thread.
I did message the Dis and asked if they could please see if our OP was still active or not as we were concerned.
I'll let you know when I hear something.
Hope I wasn't out of line in inquiring.

 

[Miggee]

Does anyone know that if I can leave in the middle of a holiday tour at Disneyland if my kids get fussy and i can just meet back up at the reserved seating area? much thanks.

 

[twinky]

I just called to check details for the Holiday Time Tour. The cast member confirmed that it does not include rides this year, but does include a fast pass for the Haunted Mansion (don't believe anyone else has posted that info yet). I asked about the VIP tour at the same time and the holiday pricing is $550/hour for a 6 hour minimum.

Thanks jenbright, for helping to bring clarity to the new tour situation!

 

[Abbey1]

Guys! They updated the holiday page on the Disneyland website!!!! https://disneyland.disney.go.com/events-tours/holidays-at-the-disneyland-resort/ I have a feeling we'll be seeing a new blog post soon, hopefully this week.

 

[cinder-ellah]

Guys! They updated the holiday page on the Disneyland website!!!! https://disneyland.disney.go.com/events-tours/holidays-at-the-disneyland-resort/ I have a feeling we'll be seeing a new blog post soon, hopefully this week.

Thank you for the update alert !

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

I sure miss @Sherry E posting on the holiday thread. I hope all is well with her.

I do hope she can find a moment, or maybe one of the other mods can find a moment, to update the title. Holiday time is 2 weeks out and while we don't have a complete picture of the offerings, we do have some information now available and "no 2016 info yet" isn't quite accurate.

I miss her, too. I messaged her the other day, and she's "okay." I don't know when she'll be back on the boards. She sure could use all the positive thoughts and virtual hugs people can send to her.

I agree. The threads just aren't the same without Sherry.

Yes, I miss Sherry and appreciate all her good work to develop this thread.
I did message the Dis and asked if they could please see if our OP was still active or not as we were concerned.
I'll let you know when I hear something.
Hope I wasn't out of line in inquiring.

I'm not sure who you sent a message to on the DIS...

Sherry will be back when she can.

In the meantime, I'll try and post updates on the first page this weekend. I could use your help, though.

 

[vault19dweller]

I'll try to fill you in on what I know about the candlelight processional. First of all, you won't see it on the official calendar because it's not advertised as a public event. It can usually be assumed that it's going to be the first weekend of December, but we don't have any official confirmation unless one of the invited guests comes on here and informs us.

Officially, it's not really for the general public, it's for special invited guests, VIPs, members of club 33, etc.
All of the real seating (except for a few benches) are reserved for these guests, and anyone else who wants to watch can fill in the standing areas around/behind the seating.
I have heard of instances where they have extra seats available and give them away randomly to people who are waiting for standing spots too, but don't count on it. They don't really make an effort to make sure there's lots of space available since the event is primarily for those seated VIP guests, but they do rope off the areas where you're allowed to stand to help with traffic flow.

Oh, I did not know that at all! Thank you for letting me know!!!
I feel a little bad for having asked about it now - I mean, wouldn't expect benches at all and thought even being able to hear/see it would be kinda nice (to get in the festive spirit) - but then I'm encroaching on those who its actually for (oh to dream of being a club 33 member *laughs* )

If you decide to watch it, there are typically two showings per night. If you want a bench seat, I think you'll have to wait a very long time - possibly all day. But if you just want a reasonable standing spot, you don't have to wait too long. I watched the second showing last year, and I waited in line for my spot while the first show was going on. I don't remember how long I waited, but it was at the end of a long day and I had a curb seat, so it wasn't a bad wait. I've heard that the second showing is less crowded than the first. We were able to get spots right behind the benches for a pretty good view, but since the singers/speakers are on a raised area, I think it would be pretty easy to have an ok view from elsewhere.

If you decide not to watch it, I don't think it's necessary to hop over to DCA. The performance takes place at the very front of the park, so it only affects those who are on their way in and out of the park or who are trying to shop on Main Street. So you might be more encumbered by it if you decide to park hop than if you just stay put in Disneyland. As long as you don't go wandering up to the front of Main Street, you can run all around Disneyland without noticing the processional at all. I would just plan to spend my evening going on rides, up until the point where you want to stake out a spot for PtN. Speaking of which, the people waiting for the second processional last year were in a roped off area that included part of the sidewalk, so once those people stood up to go into the processional area, other people were able to snag those curb spots for the PtN. I can't guarantee it will be situated the same way this year though. Also be aware that there is likely to be one-way traffic enforced on Main Street as the night goes on, so if you want to get a parade spot or do anything else on Main Street, give yourself extra time in case you find yourself needing to loop around the processional to get to the side of the street you want.

Thats awesome information, thank you so much!
I totally get what you're saying about the wait vs view, and thank you for the information regarding the second showing I appreciate it!
Also I just kind of assumed it was such a big thing it would impact the most of DLR, so really glad to hear it primarily affects the front of the park and that other areas should be okay
I really, really appreciate your advice and feedback. I learnt a lot of things I didnt know yet, so I really do thank you a lot!!!!!!

We have done Candlelight each year during our December trip since 2012. Prior to that we actually spent about 10 years avoiding it due to the crowds. I'm crushed that we'll miss it this year but there was no way for it to workout with our schedule this time. So I can tell you how it's worked for us either way. If you decide not to go, I'd recommend either staying in the back of the park or going over to DCA. They will be most likely be using the bypasses on Main Street to get people in and out. It will be crowded that weekend, but as long as we stayed out of the way we never found it terrible. Even since we've gone to Candlelight whichever day we don't go we have managed to still have fun and get stuff done. We usually spend the early morning in Disneyland and then the rest of the day at DCA.

If you do decide to see Candlelight- and if you enjoy Christmas I really, really cannot recommend it enough- choose which day and time you are going to try and see it ahead of time. It's shown twice on Saturday and Sunday, at 5:30 and 8:00. There are major benefits to both shows. Lines are longer for the first, but if you line up for the second you will see most of the first show. Except for last year, I have gotten a seat every year. This means lining up early! Last year we tried a different strategy. My friend is not as big of a fan of Candlelight as I am and really didn't want to wait for a seat, but wanted to see both narrators. We ate dinner at Carnation Cafe, paid early, and dashed outside and into line the minute that the choir started Hallelujah (end of show). We ended up just behind the chairs with one row of people standing in front of us. Not terrible! Especially considering how long we usually wait.

Oh wow, thank you for responding! That's why I love forums so much, you get to talk to people who know it!!!
Thanks for the advise, it sounds like it'd be a nice show. Do you happen to know roughly how long it goes for (like half an hour, 1 hour, or 2 hours even?)
Just so I can have an idea about it is all (it is sounding more and more tempting) *laughs*
Thank you again!

 

[vault19dweller]

I miss her, too. I messaged her the other day, and she's "okay." I don't know when she'll be back on the boards. She sure could use all the positive thoughts and virtual hugs people can send to her.
I'm not sure who you sent a message to on the DIS...

Sherry will be back when she can.

In the meantime, I'll try and post updates on the first page this weekend. I could use your help, though.

I agree, I've been a long-time lurker and even though I tend not to post a whole lot, she's been so helpful with these boards!

Sending all the virtual hugs her way

 

[MacMama0930]

I've been driving myself crazy with my hotel reservations!

I've gone back and forth and round and round. I had wanted to try and do a split stay - between the DLH and the Grand - because I just really want to know what the Grand is like! I hohummed over the cost, and then a good AP discount popped up so I went for it. Since it's just my dad and I (no kids) and a short trip, I'm not worried about switching hotels. Plus, with these now TWO reservations, I'll get "double" the goodies! I'll get our FPs and $20 dining voucher at DLH our first night and then the next morning, since EMM doesn't start until 9am, we'll go check in at the Grand get another FP and another dining voucher! I haven't told my dad yet, so hopefully he's good with it too!

 

[lorijohnhill]

In the meantime, I'll try and post updates on the first page this weekend. I could use your help, though.

Just let me know what you need and I'll be happy to help.