Welcome to those of you joining me from 'A Disney Mom's Love of Disney'. I am the third stop on our Magical Blogorail.
For today's stop, I thought it might be nice to take a look at all of the different Holiday options that are available to you as visitors while you are in Disneyland Park (and Disney California Adventure). The holidays are truly a magical time of year in The Parks, and the one time of year when our family considers it an absolute must to visit and take in all of the holiday cheer.
Holiday Decorations
The first and most obvious changes around The Parks are the many decorations you see literally everywhere. Whether it be the extraordinary Christmas trees which are visible in both Parks, or the many wreaths and lights which are prevalent everywhere, The Parks truly become a cornucopia of Holiday decor. You can't turn left or right without seeing something eye-catching, all of it amazing.
Sleeping Beauty Castle
In the same vein as decorations but worthy of its own category is Sleeping Beauty Castle. Arguably the landmark of The Park, the castle is replete with wreaths, baubles, lights and snow. In addition, the castle goes through three different stages of "lighting" each and every night, culminating in...
"Believe... In Holiday Magic" Fireworks Show
This annual fireworks extravaganza is not to be missed! Combining Holiday music and carols along with some famous Disney pyro is something that is sure to please everyone in attendance, both children and parents. And hang around after each and every show for the "snowfall finale".
Candlelight Processional
An annual event on Main Street, the Processional features a celebrity reciting the biblical Christmas story (this year's was Tom Skerritt), backed up by a choir (who form a living Christmas tree) and orchestra playing many of our favorite Christmas carols and song. It's an absolutely gorgeous ceremony, and takes place twice a day, on the first weekend in December, each and every year.
Holiday Tour
Held twice a day during the holiday season, guests are taken on a guided tour around The Park with a focus on the holiday traditions and celebrations worldwide which are represented around The Park. Participants are given priority seating on two of The Park's holiday attractions, a bevy of collectibles and goodies, as well as priority seating for...
A Christmas Fantasy Parade
It's definitely "the spirit of the season" as this parade of wonderful Holiday floats, Disney characters, Princesses and more rolls its way along the Disneyland Parade route, culminating in a float featuring the big man himself, Santa Claus. A must-see if you are going into The Parks during the holidays with your children. Now if I could just get the music out of my head...
Lest you think we've forgotten them, the holidays aren't all about showmanship and pageantry. There are also more than enough holiday-themed attractions to go around!
Santa's Reindeer Roundup (in Big Thunder Ranch)
For most of the year, Big Thunder Ranch over in Frontierland might be viewed by some as just another prop lending the area a western feel, but you'd be hard-pressed come the holidays to look at it so blandly. The area is completely transformed and decorated into nothing short of an excellent replica of a western ranch during the holidays. And if the sights aren't enough why not visit the Petting Zoo, now housing 8 different reindeer during the season (Rudolph remains at the North Pole), or visit Santa himself if you have a mind to? One of our favorite parts of The Park during this time of year.
Haunted Mansion Holiday
Like it or not (and we do) during the holidays The Haunted Mansion is completely turned topsy-turvy and transformed into a wonderfully done homage to Tim Burton's "The Nightmare Before Christmas", both outside and in. We know a lot of people deplore the change (and we're fine with that) but if you enjoy The Haunted Mansion, and "TNBC", we just don't see how you can not like this attraction. It's one of our favorites and we look forward to it every year. Jack Skellington as an animatronic? Classic!
It's A Small World
A seminal classic in The Park, and bemoaned by parents and adults everywhere, Its A Small World is perfect for a holiday transformation. Throw in some fantastic lighting on the building, a new holiday twist on that song, new holiday-themed decorations inside the building, and turn the "cute" amplifier up to 11 and you have this ride during the holidays. Even I can stand it this time of year. It's for the kids, and I can't help but enjoy watching their eyes and smiles light up while we're riding it. Okay, okay, I can recommend it.
And last but not least what Day In The Park would be complete, after watching so many shows and attractions, without some wonderful Park treats?
Holiday Treats
Loved by people (and hated by waistlines) everywhere, The Parks do an amazing job of throwing sugar and more sugar at us during the Holidays. Whether it's their special candy-cane making sessions (only on certain days and only this time of year), the many varieties of candy apples, cakes and pies, or teas and coffees, the holidays are full of things that are pretty much guaranteed to make your heart race and your energy levels (not to mention the subsequent sugar crash) triple.
While not all-inclusive or indicative of everything offered, these are some of my family's favorites and come highly recommended! We hope that they've given you a good idea at just how extensive the holidays at The Park are celebrated, and we hope each and every one of you reading this has an opportunity to visit Disneyland Resort and experience it firsthand for yourselves.
Your next stop on the Magical Blogorail Loop is 'Crystal and Bryan at Walt Disney World'.
For today's stop, I thought it might be nice to take a look at all of the different Holiday options that are available to you as visitors while you are in Disneyland Park (and Disney California Adventure). The holidays are truly a magical time of year in The Parks, and the one time of year when our family considers it an absolute must to visit and take in all of the holiday cheer.
Holiday Decorations
The first and most obvious changes around The Parks are the many decorations you see literally everywhere. Whether it be the extraordinary Christmas trees which are visible in both Parks, or the many wreaths and lights which are prevalent everywhere, The Parks truly become a cornucopia of Holiday decor. You can't turn left or right without seeing something eye-catching, all of it amazing.
 |
| The Paradise Pier tree in Disney California Adventure |
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| The Main Street, U.S.A. tree in Disneyland Park |
 |
| New Orleans Square all decked out for the holidays |
Sleeping Beauty Castle
In the same vein as decorations but worthy of its own category is Sleeping Beauty Castle. Arguably the landmark of The Park, the castle is replete with wreaths, baubles, lights and snow. In addition, the castle goes through three different stages of "lighting" each and every night, culminating in...
 |
| Sleeping Beauty Castle in one of its nightly lighting stages |
"Believe... In Holiday Magic" Fireworks Show
This annual fireworks extravaganza is not to be missed! Combining Holiday music and carols along with some famous Disney pyro is something that is sure to please everyone in attendance, both children and parents. And hang around after each and every show for the "snowfall finale".
 |
| Holiday fireworks as seen from Innoventions - photo by Amy Naluai |
Candlelight Processional
An annual event on Main Street, the Processional features a celebrity reciting the biblical Christmas story (this year's was Tom Skerritt), backed up by a choir (who form a living Christmas tree) and orchestra playing many of our favorite Christmas carols and song. It's an absolutely gorgeous ceremony, and takes place twice a day, on the first weekend in December, each and every year.
 |
| The Candlelight Processional getting ready to take place |
Holiday Tour
Held twice a day during the holiday season, guests are taken on a guided tour around The Park with a focus on the holiday traditions and celebrations worldwide which are represented around The Park. Participants are given priority seating on two of The Park's holiday attractions, a bevy of collectibles and goodies, as well as priority seating for...
A Christmas Fantasy Parade
It's definitely "the spirit of the season" as this parade of wonderful Holiday floats, Disney characters, Princesses and more rolls its way along the Disneyland Parade route, culminating in a float featuring the big man himself, Santa Claus. A must-see if you are going into The Parks during the holidays with your children. Now if I could just get the music out of my head...
 |
| The Pluto float during the Christmas Fantasy Parade |
Lest you think we've forgotten them, the holidays aren't all about showmanship and pageantry. There are also more than enough holiday-themed attractions to go around!
Santa's Reindeer Roundup (in Big Thunder Ranch)
For most of the year, Big Thunder Ranch over in Frontierland might be viewed by some as just another prop lending the area a western feel, but you'd be hard-pressed come the holidays to look at it so blandly. The area is completely transformed and decorated into nothing short of an excellent replica of a western ranch during the holidays. And if the sights aren't enough why not visit the Petting Zoo, now housing 8 different reindeer during the season (Rudolph remains at the North Pole), or visit Santa himself if you have a mind to? One of our favorite parts of The Park during this time of year.
 |
| Entrance to Santa's Reindeer Round-Up |
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| 2 of the 8 reindeer cop a bit of a snooze before their long trip |
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| Oh, Santa! |
Haunted Mansion Holiday
Like it or not (and we do) during the holidays The Haunted Mansion is completely turned topsy-turvy and transformed into a wonderfully done homage to Tim Burton's "The Nightmare Before Christmas", both outside and in. We know a lot of people deplore the change (and we're fine with that) but if you enjoy The Haunted Mansion, and "TNBC", we just don't see how you can not like this attraction. It's one of our favorites and we look forward to it every year. Jack Skellington as an animatronic? Classic!
 |
| Haunted Mansion Holiday exterior |
It's A Small World
A seminal classic in The Park, and bemoaned by parents and adults everywhere, Its A Small World is perfect for a holiday transformation. Throw in some fantastic lighting on the building, a new holiday twist on that song, new holiday-themed decorations inside the building, and turn the "cute" amplifier up to 11 and you have this ride during the holidays. Even I can stand it this time of year. It's for the kids, and I can't help but enjoy watching their eyes and smiles light up while we're riding it. Okay, okay, I can recommend it.
 |
| It's A Small World exterior - photo by Amy Naluai |
 |
| Some interior decorations on It's A Small World - photo by Amy Naluai |
And last but not least what Day In The Park would be complete, after watching so many shows and attractions, without some wonderful Park treats?
Holiday Treats
Loved by people (and hated by waistlines) everywhere, The Parks do an amazing job of throwing sugar and more sugar at us during the Holidays. Whether it's their special candy-cane making sessions (only on certain days and only this time of year), the many varieties of candy apples, cakes and pies, or teas and coffees, the holidays are full of things that are pretty much guaranteed to make your heart race and your energy levels (not to mention the subsequent sugar crash) triple.
 |
| Chocolate Mint Mousse and Mickey Mug - photo by Amy Naluai |
While not all-inclusive or indicative of everything offered, these are some of my family's favorites and come highly recommended! We hope that they've given you a good idea at just how extensive the holidays at The Park are celebrated, and we hope each and every one of you reading this has an opportunity to visit Disneyland Resort and experience it firsthand for yourselves.
Your next stop on the Magical Blogorail Loop is 'Crystal and Bryan at Walt Disney World'.
Here's the map of our Magical Blogorail should you happen to need to make a stop along the way and want to re-board:
1st ~ Growing Up Disney
2nd Stop ~ A Disney Mom's Love of Disney
3rd Stop ~ Days in the Park
4th Stop ~ Crystal and Bryan at Walt Disney World
5th Stop ~ Disney Babies Blog
6th Stop ~ Cooking with Mickey
Final Stop ~ Meet the Magic
5 comments:
I love all your photos! We haven't visited any of the parks during the holidays, but we will be next year! I'm really looking forward to seeing the decorations. I also didn't know about Santa's Reindeer Round Up. I will have to see of they have anything like that at WDW. By the way, I could use one of those Mickey mugs about right now - looks delicious!
Thanks, Beth; glad you liked them!
The holidays are a special time in all of The Parks, no doubt.
I'm glad I was able to show you a few things you didn't know about, as well. And I hear the dessert WAS delicious. :)
Great photos especially the Mickey fireworks one by Amy! I just love how they do that!
I would LOVE to experience the Haunted Mansion holiday overlay some day!!!
@Motherhood Magic: Thanks so much! The pyro is a favorite of ours, as well. Amy has seen it this year while the rest of us have not. Gotta get on that!
@CYP: We'd love to have you experience it some day! A lot of people don't like the change, but we couldn't be happier with it. :)
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