Christmas (Season) Is Here!
I suspect that when half of you groaned when you read that title, and the other half of you smiled. There seems to be a pretty even split on the “issue” of Christmas before Thanksgiving: half are in the spirit right after Halloween, and half don’t want to hear or see anything Christmas until the day after Thanksgiving. We definitely skew more towards the former, although our Christmas tree probably won’t go up this year until the last week of November or the first week of December, compared to last year when it was already up by now (in hindsight, that was too early). I have started listening to Christmas music here and there, and I’ve watched “Virtual Flames” several times.
A bit of a tangent, but how do you all feel about Virtual Flames? When I played it for the first time, Sarah thought I was messing around. She still cannot fathom why anyone would watch a video of a fire. I counter that it’s nice background noise, a relaxing ambiance “video” to play while I’m doing something else, and the closest I’ll get in our house to a real fire in a fireplace (which I absolutely love sitting near).
Virtual fires aside, whether you like it or not, Christmas season is already here. This is especially true today at Walt Disney World and Disneyland, where today is essentially the kick-off of the holiday season for both coasts (even if unofficially for Disneyland). The first Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is tonight, the first public showing of the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights is tonight, and out at Disneyland Resort, ‘it’s a small world’ holiday has reopened, and the decorations are fully installed at Disney California Adventure. If there’s a single day that signifies the start of the Christmas 2012 season for the Disney theme parks in the United States, I’d have to say it’s November 9.
Part of the reason I’ve been listening to Christmas music and watching Virtual Flame is because I’ve been hard at work on a couple of Disney Christmas eBooks the last few weeks for TouringPlans.com, so I’ve been in the Christmas “mood.” You can find details about the eBooks here (including coupons for 25% off through Monday), but, suffice to say, if you’re a fan of my Christmas photos, you’ll like these books. The Disneyland eBook is an update to last year’s A Disneyland Christmas (so if you already own that, you may not want to purchase this new eBook–although photos have been updated, text has been revised and expanded, and the layout is all-new). The Walt Disney World eBook is really great, in my opinion. Brian McNichols did the bulk of the writing for it and I provided some additional text, as well as all of the photography and design. Although I’m obviously biased, I think it’s easily the best overall book about Walt Disney World at Christmas ever produced. At least until 2013 when we improve upon it even further with all-new photos and additional tips! 🙂
If you do purchase either or both of the eBooks, please share your feedback, good or bad, with me. We’re always looking to refine and improve, and your honest feedback is helpful in that regard! Have a great (holiday season ;)) weekend!
Disney World at Christmas is a whole ‘nother world! The lights are spectacular on the Castle and no words can actually describe it. There is no better place on earth to put me in the Christmas mood than a WDW. I only wish they would do away with the “swags” that hang across main street. They take away from the castle view as you enter the park. Still, it’s amazing the way the colors change and the castle sparkles. Can’t wait to see it in a couple weeks!
Looking forward for it…..
I’m going to Disneyland in a few weeks. Although I’ve been to both DL and WDW a number of times over the years, this will be my first time in either park when it’s decorated for Christmas. Needless to say, I cannot wait. You and Sarah’s old Xmas trip reports are doing a lot to keep me sated ’til then, but still…WHY DOES TIME MOVE SO SLOWLY BEFORE A DISNEY VACATION?!
We’ve gone to Disney World in April the past three years and plan on returning April 2013. Wondering if we should try going in December instead to experience the Christmas stuff. It’s just hard to let our one chance to escape the winter weather in New York be to Florida when it’s going to be cold there as well…