Disneyland at Christmas
The Disneyland holidays don't stop at the end of October. Starting in early November and lasting through the end of the year, “The Happiest Place on Earth” becomes “The Merriest Place on Earth.” Special holiday activities include the Christmas Fantasy Parade, a special fireworks show, and a new round of seasonal decorations.
The “Nightmare Before Christmas” decorations stay up at Haunted Mansion Holiday (but the hitchhiker changes), all the dolls in “it's a small world” don their holiday finery, new lights and decorations go up, and the music changes to a holiday theme. Main Street, U.S.A. is decorated with thousands of lights and poinsettias, along with a 60-foot-tall Christmas tree decorated with more than 6,000 twinkling lights. Toontown glitters with shiny balls and garlands.
TRAVEL TIP
For an even more magical holiday visit, take the Holiday Time at Disneyland guided tour. You'll get express boarding at Haunted Mansion Holiday and “it's a small world” Holiday, reserved seating for the parade, and a commemorative pin. The two-and-a-half-hour tour costs $59 per person.
Goofy stands in for Santa in Toontown, Mrs. Claus settles into Disneyland's Big Thunder Ranch, turning it into a temporary “West Pole,” while over at California Adventure, Santa himself shows up in a surfer shirt and shorts.
A Christmas Fantasy Parade
Location: Main Street, U.S.A.
In this special version of the daily character parade, a full band of tin soldiers entertains, Pinocchio and Geppetto help Santa make toys, and Mickey and Minnie skate on an icy pond while Goofy and Max make a gingerbread house. Suitable for the entire family, it's well worth the time to stop and watch it.
JUST FOR PARENTS
If your children will enjoy interacting with the parade's characters, seat them in the front row anywhere along the route or on the curb along Main Street, U.S.A. They'll get a good view and the characters often wave back to nearby onlookers or stop to speak to them.
The Christmas Fantasy Parade follows the same route as the regular parade, and all of the same tips about finding a spot to watch the daily parade apply for it, too. The steps in front of the Disneyland Train Station at the end of Main Street, U.S.A. make a particularly good place to watch the Fantasy Parade if you want an overall view. If you want to take pictures of the Christmas Parade, choose the earlier time while it's still light. After dark, the moving floats and figures are very hard to photograph.
“Believe…In Holiday Magic” Fireworks Spectacular
For the Christmas season, the daily fireworks spectacular takes on a soundtrack of favorite holiday songs, but the big surprise is the snowfall at the end. The sight is especially pretty when viewed from the Disneyland Train Station.
