Disneyland at Christmastime


Living in Orange County allows us to make frequent visits to Disneyland. As I’ve mentioned in earlier posts, we are annual pass holders and visit Disneyland and DCA several times a month. This also provides plenty of blog fodder and tips to pass along.

November through December is undoubtedly the most beautiful time of the year to visit Disneyland. They even keep later hours during the weeknights to allow visitors to enjoy the nighttime entertainment.

A new feature of the holiday’s this year at the park is “Sleeping Beauty’s Winter Castle” covered in freshly fallen snow. The castle has been decorated to appear as if it is covered in snow. Durin the day, it is a neat effect, but at night it’s down right magical. The castle also serves as a stage for the new music, lighting and special effects that will precede the legendary “Believe … in Holiday Magic” nighttime fireworks spectacular. Throughout the night a special little show takes place at the castle with an increasingly number of lighting effects being added. It is just too hard to describe, you have to see it for yourself. The little ones will love this.

The firework show ends with a touching rendition of “White Christmas” and one of Disneyland’s most beloved new holiday traditions: a climactic snowfall that swirls down on Main Street, small world mall and New Orleans Square.

My warning to you is that the space around the castle becomes very congested throughout much of the evening. During the snowfall sequence following the fireworks, Main Street comes to a halt. Just be prepared to be patient. It’s also worthwhile to catch the snow effect over in New Orleans Square which is the least crowded of the three “snow” areas.

Our other favorite experience during this time of the year is Small World Holiday. It’s a small world gets a holiday make over with decorations and a new holiday theme song. My children love this ride year round, but even more so during Christmas. The line is often long but it moves rather quickly. While you are there, don’t miss the Very Merry Christmas parade. Santa even makes a visit at the end.

Even though the three weeks following Thanksgiving are consided off-season at Disneyland, the growing popularity of the Christmas decorations has made it a very busy time at the park. I cannot recommend enough to check out the park during this time of the year, just do it as early in the month as possible.

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