Many of you who know me are aware of my affinity toward the Disney parks ... some might say an obsession. On my bucket list is to visit all the different Disney parks around the world - Paris, Tokyo, and Hong Kong. In the meantime we try to make it a tradition to visit one of the domestic parks during the Christmas season. Now that we live in the mid-west going to either coast is a breeze. We recently got back from Disneyland CA - there really is nothing like strolling down Main Street USA with your family taking in the lights, decorations, and sounds of Christmas ... all while it starts snowing in Southern California! You can check out our pictures via the Photo Album link on the right, but I thought I would also share some highlights:
Disney's Grand California Hotel: We stayed in a one bedroom villa and it was amazing. The rustic and craftsman style of the resort really fits in with the theme of a Christmas Holiday. The six story Christmas tree in the lobby adds to the atmosphere. The Dickens style carolers that perform in the lobby every evening adds that extra touch of magic - they give a great performance. And also we did not forget that Santa makes a visit for pictures as well.
it's a small world holiday - I can can rattle off many many jokes about this attraction, but at Disneyland during the holidays the attraction takes on a whole new meaning. The outside facade is lit up with thousands of Christmas lights and the attraction inside is transformed into a holiday spectacular. All of the scenes are themed to Christmas with holiday songs being sung by the children around the world. The finale has all of the countries and characters singing Deck the Halls - if this does not inspire you to think about world peace for at least a few minutes I do not know what will.
Haunted Mansion - Jack Skellington takes over the Haunted Mansion for the holidays. This must be one of the most inventive holiday decoration transformations I have seen. Scary Holidays is the theme with haunted trees and wreaths in the mansion. Jack transforms the cemetery with snow and holiday singing ghosts. Do not forget the ballroom where the happy haunts are having a Christmas celebration complete with a Gingerbread House that Jack built - it is so good you can actually smell the gingerbread. On your way out you will get a surprise with a haunted gift.
Wonderful World of Color - Over at Disney's California Adventure is the new nighttime spectacular Wonderful World of Color. The best way to describe this show is that it is the Bellagio fountains on steroids. It follows many famous scenes from Disney movies with a combination of water, lights, lasers, and projections performing special effects like you have never seen. It is one of the best shows Disney has ever created.
Christmas Parade and Fireworks - A Christmas Fantasy Parade is a spectacular parade that features life size toy soldiers, dancing snowflakes, and Mickey and Minnie skating on a pond, and do not forget Santa. You can be Ebenezer Scrooge and still have a warm feeling in your heart after experiencing this parade. Follow that up with Sleeping Beauty Castle being lit up with music and snow flying on Main Street. Then we end the night with the Holiday Fireworks set to inspiring music especially for the season.
I can go on and on for pages .... but as you can tell we had a fantastic time. Yes it can be crowded. Yes CA is expensive - $50 for a fast food lunch for 4 - OUCH! Thank goodness for the kitchen in the villa. But there is really nothing like Disneyland at Christmas ... taking your time and just enjoying the small things. Like making homemade candy canes in the windows on Main Street. One of my favorite moments of the trip was watching as the Wicked Witch came out from back stage. She walked right up to a huge 'mean looking' guy with muscles and tattoos as he was in her way to her destination. She stood there gave him a 'wicked look' and without saying a word pointed her finger for him to move. Well he moved and the look on his face was priceless - the magic of Disney!
Christmas was one of Walt's favorite holidays and he always went all out. That tradition and care taken into holidays at the parks is this going strong after 50 years.
Merry Christmas and Happy Cruising !!
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