The word Disney is synonymous with entertainment even more so during the holidays. Our favorite time to visit the Disney parks is during the holiday season when they are decked out in festive splendour. They don’t leave anything untouched. We spent my daughter’s 10th birthday at Disneyland last Sunday and got a wonderful dose of holiday cheer that will last us the whole season. I wanted to share some of that holiday goodness here and show how they transformed the happiest place on earth to the merriest one during Christmas at Disneyland.
Despite the cloudy skies and impending rain, it was still pretty crowded. As soon as we walked in and saw the train depot all decorated and Mickey’s smiling face at the entrance, we felt the holiday spirit rush and gloomy weather didn’t matter.
The 60-ft Christmas Tree at the town square and the start of Main Street has been a staple here for many years. The huge and colorful ornaments and the presents underneath make it a popular photo spot.
I have always loved standing on Main Street and seeing the garlands and Mickey wreaths strewn across the street with balls of poinsettias hanging on lampposts. It is amazing to see how much attention to detail is put in decorating the park.
Plenty of red poinsettias surrounded the Walt Disney and Mickey statue.
Despite seeing Sleeping Beauty Castle many times over the years, its transformation as a winter castle during the holidays has always left me in awe. Its towers and turrets are covered with snow and icicles hanging from it. It makes a perfect backdrop for many of the celebrations around the park.
Disneyland also completely changes a couple of the rides for the holidays. One of my favorite rides at Disneyland has always been It’s A Small World. For those unfamiliar, it is a boat ride through the many lands with the dolls in their native costumes singing along. It’s travel inspiration – Disney style.
Its facade is adorned with some merriment including the main face with a Santa hat. The ride is completely transformed with a holiday theme and decorated with 300,000 lights.
The It’s A Small World song is still playing through the duration of the ride but it is mixed with Jingle Bells sung in different languages. Happy Holidays/Merry Christmas signs in different languages were also displayed in the various lands. Feliz Navidad from Mexico
Mele Kalikimaka from the Hawaiian Islands.
Buon Natale from Italia.
Then, there was winter wonderland which included a giant snowman and numerous dolls representing many of the countries singing their hearts out. This was the first time we’ve been here since they incorporated Disney characters in the rides. It was fun trying to look for the characters throughout the ride.
The other ride that is transformed during the holidays is the Haunted Mansion where it is taken over by characters from the movie, the Nightmare Before Christmas. The mansion is adorned with Halloween and Christmas decor. I’ve never been a fan of the Nightmare franchise and we’ve never seen the movies so I didn’t get a lot of the references.
Toon Town was decorated with whimsical garlands and trees. This is a common place for many families especially those traveling with babies and toddlers.
The highlight for many visitors though is the Christmas Fantasy Parade which occurs twice a day. It starts from Small World and travels to Main Street USA and reverses in direction and gets everyone into the holiday spirit. Many people stake out seats along the route an hour or so before the parade starts to get front row access to the floats. It gives everyone a chance to see many of the characters.
Mickey and Minnie in their finest holiday outfit enjoy their own ice skating rink float.
Some of the classic characters and floats return every year that always bring smiles like dancing holiday gingerbread cookies.
Adorable snow creatures bouncing along to the music.
The characters dressed in their holiday attire were enough to get so many toddlers excited. I loved hearing screams of joy and recognition as each float passed them by. I remember those sweet days. My 7 and 10 year old have given up calling out to the characters and frantically waving to them.
Of course, the grand marshal of the parade is Santa Claus preceded by the dancing, upright reindeer.
I love watching all the kids’ faces light up as Santa waved to the crowd and shouting out holiday greetings in many languages.
Of course, we can’t visit Disneyland without some photo ops with some of their favorite characters.
As dusk settled, the lights transformed Disneyland into an even more magical place. I actually love seeing the decorations and attractions more when they’re lit up at night.
All the Disneyland merriment and decorations are enough to make even the Grinch or Scrooge smile a bit. Disneyland is a wondrous place for all kids and the young at heart. But, the holiday atmosphere, sights and scents make for quite an amazing experience and a special time to visit.
In addition to the parade, these are the holiday events around the park:
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Jingle Jangle Jamboree. Kids can meet Santa and Mrs. Claus with holiday crafts, live music and games at Frontierland.
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“Believe… In Holiday Magic” fireworks spectacular over Sleeping Beautify’s castle. It ends with falling snow on Main Street. Truly magical! Unfortunately, it was a school night for the kids and work for us the following day so we didn’t stay long enough for the fireworks and snowfall afterwards. But, we will be back next week to experience its wonders at night.
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Candlelight Ceremony and Processional. This event occurs 20 nights during the holidays when part of Main Street is closed off and a candlelight procession begins and a celebrity narrator, several choirs of 600 singers and the Disneyland orchestra tell the first Christmas story with holiday music. The stage is set up behind the train station on the town square. Seating is limited to annual passholders based on a sweepstakes or guests booking dining packages. This was the stage set up during our visit.
Spending Christmas at Disneyland Tips/Basics:
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Expect crowds to increase as it gets closer to the holidays. Best times to visit may be Dec. 25 and Jan. 1.
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Grab Fast Passes to your favorite rides early to get your preferred times.
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Stake out places for the parade and fireworks display early.
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Ride the train, cars, omnibus, carriages along Main Street to save walking with the little ones or for the experience.
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Download Disney park apps on your smartphone for wait times and events (Disneyland Wait Times, Disney Mobile Magic)
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Check the park hours and attraction closures by visiting the Disneyland website.
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Holiday Decorations and events will continue at Disneyland until Jan. 6, 2013.
*Have you visited the Disney parks or other theme parks during the holidays? Worth it or not?
An island girl at heart who loves cruising, visiting National Parks & traveling the world with two kids in tow. 
Disneyland does look like a magical place. The winter castle has a
gaudi-esque look about it. Lot of good information and photos in this piece.
Budget Jan recently posted..The Beach Scene at Essaouira
Thanks Jan! I’ve never thought of the winter castle as Gaudi-esque but very interesting observation.
It’s a magical place throughout the year and I think it’s one of the best places to visit during the season. I love the Toon Town. Beautiful photos.
Salika Jay recently posted..Kuala Lumpur Attractions: Batu Caves
Thanks Salika! It really is more magical during Christmas.
We were at Hong Kong Disneyland last year the week before Christmas, and I don’t remember them doing as much as the one in California. We were at the one in Florida a few years ago the first week of January. It was nice that the decorations were still up but most of the crowds had gone home (and the hotel was cheaper). I really like the photos of It’s a Small World. I’ve been on it so many times that I think seeing it at Christmas would add some nice variation to the experience.
Michele @ Malaysian Meanders recently posted..ESCAPE: Penang’s New Eco-Adventure Park
Thanks Michele! They completely transform Its A Small World to the Holiday one and I love seeing it this way. Thanks for the insight on HK Disneyland.
Great photos, I love Christmas Fantasy Parade
Muza-chan recently posted..A Japanese Song per Day: Perfume – Twinkle Snow Powdery Snow
Thanks Muza-chan!
we were there just before Thanksgiving and I really loved the themed Christmas
trees that pop up everywhere. The one at Animal Kingdom had jungle animals, the one at wilderness lodge had teepees, etc. Very fun. It’s a Small World wasn’t decorated yet — too badd — my daughter would have loved it. we stayed one night for Mickey’s Christmas party. A splurge but so worth it. the parade had more characters than I can name — we saw princes with the princesses and
got to meet minnie and mickey in the holiday clothes (with almost no wait). we also got to reide a lot of rides that were too busy during the day. AND they made it snow! it’s hard to make disney more dazzling and magical than it already is, but somehow they manage!
eileen at FamiliesGo! recently posted..10 Tips For Your First Vacation With a Child
Disneyland doesn’t have the Mickey Christmas Party but sounds fun. What a wonderful vacation for your daughter to spend it with all the beloved characters. Yes, they can make it snow. I’d love to visit the Florida resorts during the holidays.
I’m sure my daughter would happily have traded parents and swapped with those that actually did fun things and take them to Disney over Christmas. Alas it was not to be but I can well imagine the thrill kids especially must get when they visit a place decked out like this. You have done a great job f presenting Disney in all its glory.
Leigh recently posted..Photo Essay: The San Francisco Bay Area
Thanks Leigh! It is such a joy to see the kids’ faces at Disneyland (including mine). I’m sure your daughter has some great memories with all the wonderful trips and adventures you took them to.
Love the photos – you have made me wish that I was at Disneyland right now! We had our first Christmas experience two years ago when we drove from San Diego to Disneyland for New Year’s Day. I loved seeing all the decorations and the Holiday Parade but It’s a Small World was my absolute favourite thing about the day. Last year we went to Orlando for a few days over New Year’s and were able to do holiday Disney again. It was still wonderful but it wasn’t quite as magical as Disneyland. I was disappointed that It’s a Small World wasn’t transformed there as that was what I had been most looking forward to and the parade that we saw wasn’t holiday themed. I’m looking forward to seeing how the Disney Magic is done up for the holidays – and I can’t believe that we will be having some Disney Christmas for the third year in a row!
Lisa recently posted..Titanic Sites in Eastern Canada
Thanks Lisa! I’ve always wondered how the two resorts compare so thanks for the insight. You can never have too much Disney. I’m sure the Magic will be all decked out splendidly.
Aaw, I haven’t been to Disneyland since I was little – love it all festive!
We do too!
Love Disneyland at the holidays! I grew up right around the corner from Disneyland so this brings back many fond memories. I was actually in the Christmas Parade during High School
Great pictures. Thanks for the memories!
Debbie Beardsley @ European Travelista recently posted..Rostock – Devastation to Rebuilding
Thanks Debbie! I keep forgetting that you’re a SocalGal. How cool to be in the Christmas parade. Glad to take you down memory lane.
I love Disneyland around the holidays. My mom took my 3-year old nephew last week. I was jealous!
Michael Figueiredo recently posted..Greetings From… Saguaro National Park, Arizona
Lucky for both of us it’s within driving distance to see it during the holidays.
Great synopsis, and most importantly, incredible photos! You manage to capture so many aspects that I just never can get right. I have to admit though that our bucket lists includes seeing the Haunted Mansion with the Nightmare Before Christmas overlay.
InACents recently posted..A Review of Busch Gardens Williamsburg for Christmas Town
Thanks Justin! If that’s on your bucket list, then you’d love Haunted Mansion. It was completely Nightmare Before Christmas. Hope you get to visit during the holidays.
This looks like fun for kids of all ages. I bet it was gorgeous lit up at night!
Nancie recently posted..#TPThursday — December 6th, 2012 — Buddha Travel Shots From Across Asia
I like it better at night. We were there at dusk so I didn’t get better pictures but we’ll be back next week.
I love Disney at Christmas. It’s even more magical than any other time of the year, whoichis saying a lot.
Jessica recently posted..The Paper House in Rockport MA
It’s the best time of the year to visit. Love it!
The decorations are really such a nice touch! And great tip to go closer to the holidays…beating the crowds and avoiding lines is always key in my book!:-)
Jess @UsedYorkCity recently posted..New Yorker Moments
How fun! Love the idea of the merriest place. . .and my two favorite things: Disney Magic and Christmas Magic.
Jackie Smith recently posted..And the “Celebrity (cruise) Guest Chef” is. . .
You’re right, Jackie..it is a perfect blend of magic of Disney and the holidays.
My first and only visit to Disney was right after Christmas — the decorations were amazing!
Your photos really capture the feeling of merriment and magic.
Happy Holidays, Mary!
InsideJourneys recently posted..Boats
Thanks Marcia! Happy Holidays to you too!
Love these Christmas shots of Disneyland. We live in Australia and I have been wondering if the DIsney parks closer to home (Hong Kong and Tokyo celebrate Christmas as beautifully.
Danielle (Bubs on the Move) recently posted..Photo Friday: Christmas in the tropics
Thanks Danielle! One of the comments above says that Hongkong wasn’t as decorated. Someone also wrote on my FB page saying that Tokyo was amazing. I’m sure they won’t disappoint. I hope you get to visit with your boys soon.
Gloomy weather never bothers me at Disneyland – it makes it less crowded and cooler than in hot weather when it can be unbearable there. I love the Disneyland Christmas decorations. Like you said, so much attention to detail, it’s just fabulous.
Sonja recently posted..Photo Friday: Christmas Shopping in Zurich
I love Disneyland any time of year, but the holidays always make it even more special. Great tips here – Thanks!
Tricia recently posted..Photo Friday: Peak of Yosemite Falls Trail