The Disneyland Resort will once again transform into the Merriest Place on Earth as guests begin their holidays here, Nov. 8, through Jan. 6.
This festive season will include many holiday traditions, including cheerful entertainment, yuletide treats, specialty merchandise, sparkling décor and seasonal transformations of select attractions!
At Disney California Adventure park, “World of Color – Season of Light” will dazzle with its holiday-themed spectacular of lights, lasers, water, fire and hundreds of fountains bringing animation to life. Festival of Holidays returns, bringing the spirit of the season to life through the sights, sounds and tastes of Christmas/Navidad, Hanukkah, Diwali, Kwanzaa and Three Kings Day (Jan. 3-6). For the residents of Cars Land, two attractions rely on holiday magic to transform into Luigi’s Joy to the Whirl and Mater’s Jingle Jamboree.
At Disney California Adventure Park
- The nighttime spectacular “World of Color – Season of Light” wraps guests in the warm glow of holiday magic. Fusing cherished holiday music sung by beloved artists with memorable moments from treasured Disney animated films, this sparkling winter fantasy is magical for all ages. This production of “World of Color” is made extra brilliant with dazzling lights, lasers and high-definition projections.
- Disney Festival of Holidays brings the spirit of the season to life through lively entertainment and special traditions. Children will enjoy craft stations and everyone will appreciate the delicious food at Festive Foods Marketplace, featuring a mix of holiday dishes and beverages that bridge many diverse cultures and family traditions.
- The Three Caballeros host the popular “Disney ¡Viva Navidad! Street Party” celebration, featuring folklórico and samba dancers, live musicians, and Mickey and Minnie in their fiesta best.
- The holidays are zooming into Cars Land and the residents are racing to celebrate the season. Two attractions rely on holiday magic to transform into Luigi’s Joy to the Whirl and Mater’s Jingle Jamboree. The whimsical “Snowcar” greets guests on the road to Radiator Springs, and each “Cars” character also gets a holiday makeover at their Route 66 address to reflect their personality.
- Santa Claus is coming to town! Guests will enjoy special holiday-themed activities with Santa and his sleigh full of mischievous elves at Santa’s Holiday Visit at the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail.
- As guests enter the park and stroll along Buena Vista Street, a dazzling, 50-foot Christmas tree adorns Carthay Circle to help guests get in the holiday spirit. The tree and surrounding buildings are decorated with vintage-style ornaments in keeping with the theme of Buena Vista Street, inspired by Los Angeles as it appeared when Walt Disney arrived in the 1920’s. Pacific Wharf, Hollywood Land and Grizzly Peak will also sparkle with holiday décor throughout the season.
- Guests will drift into a wintry mood as they encounter the splendid sisters Anna and Elsa inside the Disney Animation building. Guests may also relive the story of the Disney blockbuster film “Frozen” as they immerse themselves in the wondrous magic and music in the spectacular stage musical, “Frozen – Live at the Hyperion.”
At Disneyland park, holiday magic shines brightly with the glistening Sleeping Beauty’s Winter Castle. Returning entertainment includes “Believe … in Holiday Magic” fireworks spectacular and “A Christmas Fantasy” parade. In addition, one-of-a-kind seasonal transformations will once again take over “it’s a small world” Holiday and Haunted Mansion Holiday.
At Disneyland Park
- In the evening, the spectacular “Believe … in Holiday Magic” fireworks spectacular and its magical snowfall finale create lasting holiday memories for guests.
- Mickey, Minnie, Disney Princesses and Santa celebrate the season in “A Christmas Fantasy” parade, a daily procession with floats, music and marching “tin soldiers.” Guests may wave to Anna, Elsa and Olaf, who bid them a warm winter welcome from their fantastic “Frozen” float.
- The holiday magic shines brightly with the glow of the shimmering icicles and twinkling lights onSleeping Beauty’s Winter Castle, enchanting guests from day to night.
- Guests entering Disneyland are greeted by a magnificent. 60-foot tall Christmas tree on Main Street, U.S.A., decorated with nearly 1,800 ornaments. The classic tree is an ideal location for holiday photos, to document the magical memory for a lifetime.
- Disneyland guests also will want to experience the popular seasonal transformations of these attractions:
- “it’s a small world” is transformed each evening into “it’s a small world” Holiday, with 50,000-plus colorful lights, music and video projections. Inside the attraction, holiday magic takes guests around the world and back as dolls and toys representing children enjoy the distinctive holiday traditions of their countries.
- ‘Twas “The Nightmare before Christmas” and all through the Haunted Mansion, Jack Skellington and his friends are causing a collision between Christmas and Halloween to transform the Haunted Mansion into Haunted Mansion Holiday.*
- Throughout the resort, guests will discover holiday culinary treats and festive fare, along with special merchandise for the merry season.
Also during the holiday season, the Downtown Disney District will be full of festive shopping, dining and entertainment and the Hotels of the Disneyland Resort also join in the yuletide celebration with twinkling lights and ornaments, holiday displays, special entertainment and holiday-inspired eats and treats.
I know The Jingle Cruise was kind of lame, compared to the other holiday overlays, but I wish they would bring it back or do an overlay for another disneyland attraction.