So what does "In Time for the Holidays" mean? - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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This is kind of vague for the new fantasy land attractions. We are arriving the day after Thanksgiving and I sure hope it is open. This could mean anything from October to mid December. Any thoughts, opinions or rumors?
It seems most people think "In time for the holidays" means Disney holiday season which really begins in early to mid November. I'm hoping this is true since we'll be there November 28 and are counting on dinner in the Beast's castle!!
My understanding of it is that it will be ready for Thanksgiving, as that's one of the huge times of the year for Disney. In reality, my guess is that things will be in soft opening a couple of weeks before just to iron out any issues, so I'm thinking early to mid November.
This is very, very normal for Walt Disney World. Nearly every major parks construction project is planned to go into official service sometime between October 1 and mid-November, in order to be up and running at full speed (all staff familiar with operations, etc.) before the big crowds arrive. They need every possible attraction and restaurant in operation throughout the "holiday season." Possibly the worst crime a construction team could commit would be if the project opening had to be delayed until January.
Disney uses vague terms like, "Fall," "End of 2012," and "In time for the holidays." Folks here got a bit excited when Disney announced, "In time for the holidays." That's more exact than "End of 20112," which had been the previous estimated opening, right? In fact, all those terms mean the same thing to the Disney organization. The only difference is, as opening day approaches, they're in a better position to be sure that it'll open as scheduled. That, and they get extra publicity by making a new announcement every so often.
(At Disneyland, it's more common to see openings set for prior to the peak summer season, such as the Cars Land opening on June 15. The summer is bigger for Disneyland than the Thanksgiving/Christmas/New Years season, as the vast majority of Disneyland visitors are day visitors coming from the local region.)
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To me the terms "Holidays" actually means Christmas and New Years, not Thanksgiving but who knows what it actually means to Disney.
A fair number of folks know exactly what Disney means, under routine circumstances - when the parks and resorts start observing the holiday season. The issue in this thread is that folks are wondering whether, or expecting that, "Holidays" means something different in the case of the Fantasyland opening. It's a combination of optimism (by the time MVMCP begins), and pessimism (December 23).
The key term here is, "In time forthe holidays." That could be soft openings as early as October, or even sooner.
Classic example? Mission: Space was scheduled for an early October official opening - that's when the travel industry and media would be present for the seasonal big media event (travel agents always outnumber the media by a very substantial amount, but it's called "media event" anyway). Soft openings actually started in early August, and, while it was still considered in soft opening throughout August and September, it was running full-tilt, full-time, by the third week in August.
Under all normal circumstances, "Holidays" is when the seasonal decorations and activities start - typically, about two weeks prior to Thanksgiving. And, the way things are going, it could also include Halloween before we know it.
Disney regularly issues press releases under the heading "What's New, What's Next,"
Quote:
Holiday Splendor (November-January) – Walt Disney World Resort is all aglitter during the holiday season with dazzling lights, spirited song and even snow flurries. Here’s what’s in store: Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom; Candlelight Processional at Epcot; plus caroling, tree lighting ceremonies and visits by Santa..
This year, the earliest item on that schedule is Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, which starts November 9. Mickey's Jingle Jungle Parade starts November 10. Walt Disney World Holiday Events 2011 | Walt Disney World Resort (this page still needs updating - it has 2012 events, but they haven't changed the date on the heading).
At Disneyland, the Holidays have effectively started at the end of September for many years now, since that's when Haunted Mansion Holiday opens - that ties Halloween and Christmas up in one nice orange, black, red, and green bow.
The one time "Holiday Season" means the week from Christmas Eve through New Years Day (to Disney) is in regard to lodging rate seasons (Value, Regular, Summer, Peak, and Holiday).
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It seems most people think "In time for the holidays" means Disney holiday season which really begins in early to mid November. I'm hoping this is true since we'll be there November 28 and are counting on dinner in the Beast's castle!!
We're going the same day as you....and we're also from Western NY! Wonder if we'll be on the same flight!! LOL!! We usually do SW direct flights down and back! But yeah, definitely hoping for a meal in the Beast's castle!!
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It's interesting that Disney would open a large expansion during the holidays. Most companies aim to drum up the business with new attractions during slower times. I guess slow attendance is relative for Disney.
I'll be there the first week of October and want to believe that in time for the holidays meant just before the halloween festiviities. Realistically I'm thinking right before Thanksgiving.
We're going the same day as you....and we're also from Western NY! Wonder if we'll be on the same flight!! LOL!! We usually do SW direct flights down and back! But yeah, definitely hoping for a meal in the Beast's castle!!
We've always done SW in the past as well, but I don't see the early morning direct flight that we usually take. Maybe when November dates are released it will be included, but if not we may be flying Air-Tran. They have a non-stop flight that arrives at 11:10.
Our arrival day is when I'm hoping to book Be our Guest. Maybe we'll see you there!
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Maybe when November dates are released it will be included, but if not we may be flying Air-Tran. They have a non-stop flight that arrives at 11:10. 
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