Originally Posted By dagobert The Christmas season is approaching and so I think it's time for a topic dedicated to it. This is what I've gathered from other Disney fansites and boards about this year's Christmas season: - Belle's Christmas Village in Fantasyland - Father Christmas Village in Frontierland - Mickey's Winter Wonderland at the Chaparral Theatre - Return of Disney's Fantillusion Parade - Princess Aurora's Christmas Wish show on the Central Plaza Stage - "it's a small world" Celebration And rumour has it, that the lightning system for the castle will be updated to LED lights. According to the rumours it will change its colours and brightness.
Originally Posted By dagobert Belle's Christmas Village under construction: <a href="http://twitpic.com/6z7i1l" target="_blank">http://twitpic.com/6z7i1l</a>
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Let's hope it is better than Halloween this year, which is positively anorexic compared to previous years. But again, I think the last awesome Christmas was 1999 - Lights of Winter, Fireworks every night, a specific Christmas parade, Santa meet and greet, character's trees in the hub, and the tree lighting ceremony included the Lights of Winter and snow. It was truly amazing and a real Disney experience. Also MSEP ran and the Mickey's Ice Skating show was on too (I suspect that should come back this year too?). Sigh.....
Originally Posted By dagobert >>>Let's hope it is better than Halloween this year, which is positively anorexic compared to previous years.<<< It seems we have a different taste when it comes to Halloween. I like this years decorations a lot better than in recent years. Maybe that's a cultural thing, because Halloween isn't very big in the German-Austrian area. I agree that there should be more entertainment, but in my opinion the decoration looks better. I've never really liked the pumpkin men and the orange colour on Main Street.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo I liked the pumpkin men, just not the orange paint everywhere. But more to the point, it is about the scale. There is virtually nothing going on this year.
Originally Posted By u k fan I think what Halloween lost in substance this year in gained in taste! I'd love a specific parade for Xmas and the lights of winter to come back. I love a December visit, but they aren't as special as they used to be. Mind you, attendance is up in December isn't it?!!!
Originally Posted By dagobert Were "Lights of Winter" the illuminated arches over Main Street. I've never seen them, but they looked great on pictures.
Originally Posted By u k fan Yeah, they were great and looked really magical. They were a bit intrusive during the day, but nowhere near as bad as the Pumpkinmen, IMHO. I think they were stopped because of conflicts with the height of parade floats, but I could be wrong!!!
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Yep, they came down if I recall when the Imaginations parade started and stayed away ever since (and have left Epcot too). They were fab. Also, my issue with Halloween is not just the pumpkin men and pink witches. Cast your mind back Kiz. 12 years ago, we had a specific Halloween Parade, several stage shows, the pinata and scarecrows and pumpkin carving at the Ranch area. Decorated Mark Twain and Phantom Manor. And the fab giant pumpkin on the hub, as well as the face painting and hair salons. The Lucky Nugget had a show, as well as special menues in the restaurants (including dry ice cocktails). There was character trick or treating as well. Then the party had lots of entertainment (we enjoyed Anastasia very much), DISCOveryland with loads of dancing, loads of entertainment, and fireworks. Compare that to this year, it is telling that Legoland has more on.
Originally Posted By LindsayC [Yep, they came down if I recall when the Imaginations parade started and stayed away ever since] I thought the ImaginNations parade only ran in 2000? I have photographs of "Lights of Winter" at DLP from December 2003 and they may have been there during the Christmas season of 2004 I just cant recall if I saw the first or second season of the Chandeliers (which I think are tasteful but do not have the impact of the arches.)
Originally Posted By dagobert I've seen a picture of a structure that looked a bit like a ropeway that was connected to BTM and it seemed like it was transporting the orange color from the mountain to the pumpkin men. Does someone know when that was?
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo ooops, good point Lindsay, they did come back for a while, you are right. Dagobert - that paint machine on BTM ran for a couple of years at Halloween. And no, I do not like the chandeliers, never have, and likely never will. They seem tacky.
Originally Posted By u k fan The chandeliers are ok, but I preferred the lights of winter. I hated the terrible backstories they created for the Pumpkinmen each year and really didn't like way they invaded Frontierland. I didn't mind the characters, they would have been fine in a parade, but they were everywhere spoiling the theming of every where they went. One of the longest queues I have ever endured at DLP was for the Halloween hair salon, but we did get a great photo afterwards! I miss the specific parades etc. for all seasons, but with limited funds and lots of refurbs I understand that we just won't get that stuff. I thought this year's decorations were a step in the right direction. I think it's shocking (and telling) that Legoland are charging extra for their fireworks. I'm not sure what AP's we have as I've never converted them from a paper voucher because of Power Cut Day, but if we have the standard ones we won't be attending. Why should I have an AP and have to pay extra to see the fireworks?!!!
Originally Posted By dagobert Belle's Christmas Village is taking shape: <a href="http://twitpic.com/6zkuys" target="_blank">http://twitpic.com/6zkuys</a>
Originally Posted By dagobert Unfortunately I've never seen the Lights of Winter, but it looked fantastic on pictures, not so much during the day, but when it was illuminated. I don't mind the Chandeliers, but I think without them, Main Street would look better, especially during the day.
Originally Posted By u k fan I don't really like Belle's Christmas Village. There are enough opportunities to spend at DLP without clogging up the walkways of Fantasyland!!!
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo UKfan - you do not have to pay extra for the fireworks at Legoland, they simply suggest you can guarantee your admission for £5. We intend on simply getting there early.
Originally Posted By u k fan Dave, re Legoland - that's good to know. The info on the web is very confusing. I was planning to call Legoland to check. It doesn't help that we didn't get our passes when we visited as we're not on the mailing list etc. I don't even know what passes we have as we bought them from a third party on a killer offer. The voucher actually said lifetime passes when I printed them off, but I don't think that's what we got. What day are you going? Sorry to hijack the thread. I did toy with going to DLP in December to watch the Muppets!!!
