Traver, I want to thank you for all of the work and passion you put into your channel. Your tip videos (especially your money saving tips video about single day tickets) saved me hundreds of dollars on my three day park visit last week. Your food videos helped us enjoy delicious food in the parks (including the famed gingerbread cookie) and helped me create a magical experience for my family. I saved tons of time and money because of your videos, keep up the good work!
It's such a California thing to be in a t shirt and sunglasses during "Christmas". 😂 I remember watching a video a while back where you said one year it was super hot the first day of Christmas in Disneyland. Thanks for sharing why small world was closed this most recent visit. I went too early before Christmas really began.
More like bring a light jacket AND a thick jacket! 😆 We go often at the end of November and it gets cold at night! Especially when there's wind, like you mentioned.. that wind chill can make a person feel like an icicle!
I've been to the KOST holiday party when it was at Disneyland previously. Although it's a great opportunity to visit the park for free and see the Christmas decorations, it's not the same as being a regular guest. There are a limited number of rides open and there are no shows, parades, or fireworks. On the plus side, the crowds were manageable and there were some fun extras like a special welcome message over the speaker system and a lot of Christmas music featured on KOST.
Since you replied I'll re-edit so people aren't confused :). My original post said it was a bummer that early entry days didn't pair up with candy cane sales. But it looks like during the week it does. Also, don't forget there's a tea party with Santa at Grand Californian Hotel that is new as well.
@@necrotwoshoes It’s a bit of a mix. Sundays are DCA early entry days and Disneyland has candy canes on those dates. But they are also on Tuesdays, which IS a Disneyland early entry day. I’m not sure it matters. You’d actually rather have it on a date that isn’t early entry because otherwise you’re wasting early entry to stand in line for the candy cane.
@@SoCalDisneyDad I noticed on weekdays that it did indeed fall on early entry days for the correct park. My issue is that Hotel guests would have to give up their early entry day in either park if they wanted the candy cane, but that's not the case during the week. Just the possibility on a small amount of days.
I can’t believe I’ve been watching your channel for a year and a half now and you haven’t run out of things to talk about! Thank you for this! We went last year in Dec & used your videos to prep, but our next trip is in a few weeks & so much changed since last year! Down the rabbit hole I go…
Going on a 2 week vacation! 12/21 to 12/6! Disneyland, Universal, SD Zoo, etc! We went back in March to DL and you were such a huge help! So excited!!!
I have just discovered your channel. These videos are so very helpful. Thank you so much. I know you meantioned dat3s to avoid. Does it it get super crowded and hectic on Thanksgiving day? I was planning on going that day for my child's bday.
@@mrsherronwatson I’ve never been on Thanksgiving as I’m with family, but in general holidays are busier. It was busier today, Veterans Day, than it was the last few visits I’ve been. I can’t say it’ll be super packed wall to wall, terrible idea crowded. But it’s likely to be busier than Monday or Tuesday of that week. Or even the week before/after.
@@kc38291 Saturdays have been decent lately, primarily because so many passholders are blocked out. But I can’t say for certain just how busy it will be because I haven’t been on a Saturday in the fall for a long time. My family is blocked out those days.
Wondering if you will be doing any virtual queue recons specifically before Sunday December 15? I am coming from the east coast on a two night, one park day visit hopefully to see the holiday overlays at haunted mansion and small world for the first time , ride Tiana’s at least once and hopefully twice, and see fantasmic. I know you mentioned in video to put priority on tiana virtual queue but I have been monitoring the app since Tiana’s opening and if both are still in operation, am leaning toward trying for haunted mansion at 7 since that stays open longer at 7 and I feel I would have a better chance to have ridden haunted by the time the 12 or 4 queue open for Tiana’s? I would be fearful that even if I got Tiana’s at 7 it would be possible that I would still be holding the reservation and then couldn’t try for the 12 haunted mansion? I got lightning lane on my ticket prior to the price increase,( thanks to your heads up when the price might go up), so I wil have another bite at the tiana Apple (or beignet). At 76, I am very grateful that I’m still mobile enough to be taking this trip. Realistically I don’t know when I’ll have another opportunity. As I said I monitor the app almost daily trying to figure the best strategy for my particular situation but it would be super helpful to have an on the ground video that addressed the virtual queue issues though I realize that could be tricky because queue could cease at any time. Thank you for all your helpful advice and upbeat attitude.
Your plan is a solid one. And the best you can do with the current system if both Haunted Mansion and Tiana's are wanted in just one day. Grab Haunted Mansion at 7 AM, and go for Tiana's via Lightning Lane.
@@SoCalDisneyDad thank you! I appreciate you bolstering my current game plan for my Disneyland day! It’s a long way to travel for only one day so I really hope I can make the best of my time. Any suggestions on somewhere to be able to stand up to watch fantasmic ? It’s a solo trip and getting up and down from a seated position is difficult at my age.
@ Unfortunately, I’m not much help there. I’ve only seen Fantasmic once as we don’t often stay late. So I don’t know how the viewing area works all that well. The best advice I can give is to show up no later than 8 PM and ask the cast members in that area for advice. You might even consider 7:30 PM to talk to someone about it. You might also want to look into Fantasmic Dining PREMIUM packages as the premium ones include chairs in a separate section (I believe. I would confirm with Disney via phone or chat first)
We’re headed to DL tomorrow, 11/12 until 11/15. We will get to do. Christmas in DL on 11/15, but our only day in DCA is 11/13. I hope they do some extra soft openings and some of the festival food is available that day.
@@Idontremember27 no later than 90 minutes before. A lot of people are setting up 2 hours before. But there’s still spots at 90 minutes. But by an hour out most everywhere is full.
@ You’re awesome, thank you! I appreciate how your videos aren’t filled with fluff (talking just to talk). You had a TON of great info we will use for our trip the last week of December.
@@EricHeiden-mr879 I haven’t heard anything. And this is the closest info I could find: plandisney.disney.go.com/question/thanksgiving-dinner-offered-disneyland-hotel-party-split-590098/ I would recommend setting a mouse dining alert for a few places. And be quick on the draw when they open up reservations.
@@oliviamorris4873 It’s bound to be busier that day than earlier in the week or the start of the following week. As to whether Thanksgiving Day or Black Friday will be more crowded, I couldn’t say. But it’s bound to be busier than a non-holiday.
@@jonathanwilliams9359 Not so much until January/February. It’s not that cold right now. There are the freak cold days where it might be necessary in December, but that’s not usual.
We are finally back - will try some food you recommend. We are staying at Grand CA hotel and the lobby is jammed with people. The line to get through security at 6PM was back past storytellers - a real mess here.
I managed to book a Fantasmic dining package for Monday, 12/23, so I’m thinking there might be more shows scheduled throughout the week rather than just on weekends.
@@kaylahernandez7448 That’s Christmas week. It’s going to function a little differently. There are always minor exceptions to schedules all over the place. This is just in general for the whole season, but it’s always good to check the calendar for the dates you’re going for any changes.
@@linkingurl1680 You have to choose whatever time is currently available. And they disappear in order. So if you want, say 3 PM, you have to watch the arrival windows in the app and wait until it pushes out to 3 PM to book it. You can’t just choose whichever time you’d prefer to go. It starts at 8 AM and slowly pushes further out as people make reservations.
My family is planning on going to Disney world for only 2 days this Christmas! I've never been there before and am wondering what some of the most Important things to do while we're there and what are some good channels to watch to prep?
@@Theofficialsammy. All Ears and DFB Guide are always good to watch. Vloggers, I like Paging Mr. Morrow but he doesn’t do planning, it’s more or less just him experiencing the parks. Good for an “after the fact”. You might look up his old videos from Christmas last year. Mammoth Club is worth checking out too.
I am understanding from the time that Small World will be down after the holidays, that the 70th will not be celebrated until mid to late March, maybe April. Is this correct? Have you heard anything more about Paint The Night coming back?
@@DiznyGrandma The most likely date for the start of the 70th is May 2025. That’s when the 60th started. We can infer it will run May 2025 to September 2026 based on the 60th.
@@PCCBreaks Just when the queue is finished. Which we don’t know when that will be. Fresh Baked posts updates weekly about what’s going on behind the wall. You might find some more info from him on that one. But Disney hasn’t said anything. It would just be his observations with how far along things are.
@@SoCalDisneyDad thank you so much for the response ❤️ we are going to Disney Dec. 4th (wed) we love watching your videos and hope maybe to catch you there haha 🥳
@@stephaniewhittington64 I’ll film it. Whether it shows up as members only or available publicly I’m not sure, but you’ll get to see it one way or another. I’ll do the same for world of color season of light
This vlog was fun. And now I really want to go to DL for the holidays. I love walking through the hotels at Christmas time. All the trees and decorations. I think you and your family should do Storyteller's Cafe for the holiday pj breakfast. That sounds like fun.
I think if we go back to Storyteller's it will be for a regular meal, because it's been so long and we've done a Character Breakfast recently. But I don't know when we'll go. Maybe for Amy's birthday in January.
Been watching your videos for a while. I’m retiring as a cop and didn’t know if you offered any tickets or discounts so I could take my children. Thanks for the videos because it helps with my PTSD.
Traver! You MUST check out Candlelight! Last year, I happened to show up in the afternoon on the Sunday they did it, and I was able to stand in the waiting area for the first performance and then got to stand behind the ticketed audience for the second performance. It was WONDERFUL! It's beautiful and the choirs are phenomenal! I did have to stand and wait for like 4 hours, but I met a Tiktokker who brought a walker with a seat on it specifically for the wait. Lol. Granted, I work as a choir director, so I'm biased, lol. But it is absolutely wonderful, especially if you also celebrate Christmas for religious reasons.
My first Disneyland and DCA Christmas experience. I need all the tips I can get.
Im so excited to spend new years eve at Disneyland 🙌🏻
Traver, I want to thank you for all of the work and passion you put into your channel. Your tip videos (especially your money saving tips video about single day tickets) saved me hundreds of dollars on my three day park visit last week. Your food videos helped us enjoy delicious food in the parks (including the famed gingerbread cookie) and helped me create a magical experience for my family. I saved tons of time and money because of your videos, keep up the good work!
Thanks so much for the park info 🎉
Omg this video just made me 10x more excited for my December trip !! 🎄🎅
It's such a California thing to be in a t shirt and sunglasses during "Christmas". 😂 I remember watching a video a while back where you said one year it was super hot the first day of Christmas in Disneyland. Thanks for sharing why small world was closed this most recent visit. I went too early before Christmas really began.
It's So Cal
Thanks for all the tips
Thank you for the video
More like bring a light jacket AND a thick jacket! 😆 We go often at the end of November and it gets cold at night! Especially when there's wind, like you mentioned.. that wind chill can make a person feel like an icicle!
For someone who hasn't ever gone at this time of year, where would I keep both of these jackets when it's not cold? 😅
@b1e2a3j4r5 if u dont want to carry it in a bag or anything, you can rent a locker!
Someday I hope to make it to Disneyland during the Christmas season and get a gingerbread Mickey!
Happy Holidays!
You’re like a series I watch every day now! ❤🎉
@@sophiasdreamquinnblue8977 Thank you!
Same! Especially trying to figure out how cold it is there
I've been to the KOST holiday party when it was at Disneyland previously. Although it's a great opportunity to visit the park for free and see the Christmas decorations, it's not the same as being a regular guest. There are a limited number of rides open and there are no shows, parades, or fireworks. On the plus side, the crowds were manageable and there were some fun extras like a special welcome message over the speaker system and a lot of Christmas music featured on KOST.
This is great! I am going in Nov. Next week. As an Imagine Key holder December is blocked out. But at least it will be less crowded. I hope.
Thanks Traver!
Can you grab a virtual queue when you are outside the park?
@@catherineblair550 At the 7 AM drop, yes. For the others you have to have scanned in for the day. But you can be back at the hotel, etc.
Since you replied I'll re-edit so people aren't confused :). My original post said it was a bummer that early entry days didn't pair up with candy cane sales. But it looks like during the week it does.
Also, don't forget there's a tea party with Santa at Grand Californian Hotel that is new as well.
@@necrotwoshoes It’s a bit of a mix. Sundays are DCA early entry days and Disneyland has candy canes on those dates. But they are also on Tuesdays, which IS a Disneyland early entry day.
I’m not sure it matters. You’d actually rather have it on a date that isn’t early entry because otherwise you’re wasting early entry to stand in line for the candy cane.
@@SoCalDisneyDad I noticed on weekdays that it did indeed fall on early entry days for the correct park. My issue is that Hotel guests would have to give up their early entry day in either park if they wanted the candy cane, but that's not the case during the week. Just the possibility on a small amount of days.
I can’t believe I’ve been watching your channel for a year and a half now and you haven’t run out of things to talk about! Thank you for this! We went last year in Dec & used your videos to prep, but our next trip is in a few weeks & so much changed since last year! Down the rabbit hole I go…
Going on a 2 week vacation! 12/21 to 12/6! Disneyland, Universal, SD Zoo, etc!
We went back in March to DL and you were such a huge help!
So excited!!!
We were there the 5th too!
I have just discovered your channel. These videos are so very helpful. Thank you so much. I know you meantioned dat3s to avoid. Does it it get super crowded and hectic on Thanksgiving day? I was planning on going that day for my child's bday.
@@mrsherronwatson I’ve never been on Thanksgiving as I’m with family, but in general holidays are busier.
It was busier today, Veterans Day, than it was the last few visits I’ve been.
I can’t say it’ll be super packed wall to wall, terrible idea crowded. But it’s likely to be busier than Monday or Tuesday of that week. Or even the week before/after.
We get to be there this Saturday, can’t wait!!! How are the crowds on Saturday for a tier 5 day?
@@kc38291 Saturdays have been decent lately, primarily because so many passholders are blocked out. But I can’t say for certain just how busy it will be because I haven’t been on a Saturday in the fall for a long time. My family is blocked out those days.
Great video as always! Can’t wait to be in the parks for Christmas! Have a great week!
Wondering if you will be doing any virtual queue recons specifically before Sunday December 15? I am coming from the east coast on a two night, one park day visit hopefully to see the holiday overlays at haunted mansion and small world for the first time , ride Tiana’s at least once and hopefully twice, and see fantasmic. I know you mentioned in video to put priority on tiana virtual queue but I have been monitoring the app since Tiana’s opening and if both are still in operation, am leaning toward trying for haunted mansion at 7 since that stays open longer at 7 and I feel I would have a better chance to have ridden haunted by the time the 12 or 4 queue open for Tiana’s? I would be fearful that even if I got Tiana’s at 7 it would be possible that I would still be holding the reservation and then couldn’t try for the 12 haunted mansion? I got lightning lane on my ticket prior to the price increase,( thanks to your heads up when the price might go up), so I wil have another bite at the tiana Apple (or beignet). At 76, I am very grateful that I’m still mobile enough to be taking this trip. Realistically I don’t know when I’ll have another opportunity. As I said I monitor the app almost daily trying to figure the best strategy for my particular situation but it would be super helpful to have an on the ground video that addressed the virtual queue issues though I realize that could be tricky because queue could cease at any time. Thank you for all your helpful advice and upbeat attitude.
Your plan is a solid one. And the best you can do with the current system if both Haunted Mansion and Tiana's are wanted in just one day.
Grab Haunted Mansion at 7 AM, and go for Tiana's via Lightning Lane.
@@SoCalDisneyDad thank you! I appreciate you bolstering my current game plan for my Disneyland day! It’s a long way to travel for only one day so I really hope I can make the best of my time. Any suggestions on somewhere to be able to stand up to watch fantasmic ? It’s a solo trip and getting up and down from a seated position is difficult at my age.
@ Unfortunately, I’m not much help there. I’ve only seen Fantasmic once as we don’t often stay late. So I don’t know how the viewing area works all that well.
The best advice I can give is to show up no later than 8 PM and ask the cast members in that area for advice.
You might even consider 7:30 PM to talk to someone about it.
You might also want to look into Fantasmic Dining PREMIUM packages as the premium ones include chairs in a separate section (I believe. I would confirm with Disney via phone or chat first)
@@SoCalDisneyDad thank you!
We’re headed to DL tomorrow, 11/12 until 11/15. We will get to do. Christmas in DL on 11/15, but our only day in DCA is 11/13. I hope they do some extra soft openings and some of the festival food is available that day.
Commenting to support the channel
The Christmas lights are a little similar to the ones in Dollywood, but I have never been. I’ve just seen them.
How long before the parade do you suggest finding a spot in front of the main train station?
@@Idontremember27 no later than 90 minutes before. A lot of people are setting up 2 hours before. But there’s still spots at 90 minutes. But by an hour out most everywhere is full.
@ You’re awesome, thank you! I appreciate how your videos aren’t filled with fluff (talking just to talk). You had a TON of great info we will use for our trip the last week of December.
Has Disney released any info on meals for Thanksgiving? It’s our tradition, we have Thanksgiving dinner at Disneyland, this is the 4th year in a row.
@@EricHeiden-mr879 I haven’t heard anything. And this is the closest info I could find:
plandisney.disney.go.com/question/thanksgiving-dinner-offered-disneyland-hotel-party-split-590098/
I would recommend setting a mouse dining alert for a few places. And be quick on the draw when they open up reservations.
Hi Traver! What are your thoughts on going to the park on Thanksgiving day? Super busy?
Oooh, what a good question.
@@oliviamorris4873 It’s bound to be busier that day than earlier in the week or the start of the following week. As to whether Thanksgiving Day or Black Friday will be more crowded, I couldn’t say. But it’s bound to be busier than a non-holiday.
We are getting there Jan. 2 and missing the pajama party! 🥹
Thanks for these videos that help us ready for the 2024 Christmas season!!!
Bring a warm beanie should be on your list! Rope dropping becomes an arctic adventure in the winter.
@@jonathanwilliams9359 Not so much until January/February. It’s not that cold right now.
There are the freak cold days where it might be necessary in December, but that’s not usual.
It is chilllllly in the morning for sure
Im going for the first time this year with my boyfriend! We’re so exited we’ve been binging all your videos for tips✨
We are finally back - will try some food you recommend. We are staying at Grand CA hotel and the lobby is jammed with people. The line to get through security at 6PM was back past storytellers - a real mess here.
@@disneylandlux Wow, that’s crazy.
@ it’s the gingerbread cookies. Line is huge in lobby. I’ve never seen so many line up here like that.
Great video! Positive attitude and useful info!!
We love the Disney Christmas videos! It’s the Mouse-t Wonderful Time of the Year!🤓
what I miss long ago in Main Street during holidays is they have a Candy Cane scented all over.. dont know if they still do that
I managed to book a Fantasmic dining package for Monday, 12/23, so I’m thinking there might be more shows scheduled throughout the week rather than just on weekends.
@@kaylahernandez7448 That’s Christmas week. It’s going to function a little differently.
There are always minor exceptions to schedules all over the place. This is just in general for the whole season, but it’s always good to check the calendar for the dates you’re going for any changes.
Im going next week!!! :) ty for da tips😊
Can I do the lightening lane for Tiana first thing but for later? I haven’t been to Disney seen the lightening lane started.
@@linkingurl1680 You have to choose whatever time is currently available. And they disappear in order. So if you want, say 3 PM, you have to watch the arrival windows in the app and wait until it pushes out to 3 PM to book it.
You can’t just choose whichever time you’d prefer to go. It starts at 8 AM and slowly pushes further out as people make reservations.
@ oh darn, I’m not really a get wet water ride person until the end of the night 😔
Thank you! Leaving tomorrow for our trip!
My family is planning on going to Disney world for only 2 days this Christmas! I've never been there before and am wondering what some of the most Important things to do while we're there and what are some good channels to watch to prep?
@@Theofficialsammy. All Ears and DFB Guide are always good to watch. Vloggers, I like Paging Mr. Morrow but he doesn’t do planning, it’s more or less just him experiencing the parks. Good for an “after the fact”. You might look up his old videos from Christmas last year.
Mammoth Club is worth checking out too.
Ear Scouts is really good
@@SoCalDisneyDad thank you so much!!
Thank you, this video was so helpful!!
I am understanding from the time that Small World will be down after the holidays, that the 70th will not be celebrated until mid to late March, maybe April. Is this correct? Have you heard anything more about Paint The Night coming back?
@@DiznyGrandma The most likely date for the start of the 70th is May 2025. That’s when the 60th started. We can infer it will run May 2025 to September 2026 based on the 60th.
👍
Is there a time frame for when haunted mansion is gonna be off virtual que?
Seems like it’s been on it forever now
@@PCCBreaks Just when the queue is finished. Which we don’t know when that will be. Fresh Baked posts updates weekly about what’s going on behind the wall. You might find some more info from him on that one. But Disney hasn’t said anything. It would just be his observations with how far along things are.
@@SoCalDisneyDad thank you so much for the response ❤️ we are going to Disney Dec. 4th (wed) we love watching your videos and hope maybe to catch you there haha 🥳
I’d love a video of the whole parade!
@@stephaniewhittington64 I’ll film it. Whether it shows up as members only or available publicly I’m not sure, but you’ll get to see it one way or another.
I’ll do the same for world of color season of light
@ awesome thanks!
This vlog was fun. And now I really want to go to DL for the holidays. I love walking through the hotels at Christmas time. All the trees and decorations. I think you and your family should do Storyteller's Cafe for the holiday pj breakfast. That sounds like fun.
I think if we go back to Storyteller's it will be for a regular meal, because it's been so long and we've done a Character Breakfast recently. But I don't know when we'll go. Maybe for Amy's birthday in January.
So excited you're doing the world of color dessert party! I've been debating if its worth it for my Dec trip and can't wait to see your review!
Thank you for this! We’ll be there Christmas week in all the craziness !
Thank you ! Plan to take my one year old to go Disneyland for the first time!
Been watching your videos for a while. I’m retiring as a cop and didn’t know if you offered any tickets or discounts so I could take my children. Thanks for the videos because it helps with my PTSD.
Disneyland and Disney California Adventure are 2 different parks. Festival of the Holidays is only at Disney California Adventure
Woohoo I was the 1k 👍🏻 hahaha
Traver! You MUST check out Candlelight! Last year, I happened to show up in the afternoon on the Sunday they did it, and I was able to stand in the waiting area for the first performance and then got to stand behind the ticketed audience for the second performance. It was WONDERFUL! It's beautiful and the choirs are phenomenal! I did have to stand and wait for like 4 hours, but I met a Tiktokker who brought a walker with a seat on it specifically for the wait. Lol. Granted, I work as a choir director, so I'm biased, lol. But it is absolutely wonderful, especially if you also celebrate Christmas for religious reasons.