Disneyland at Christmas

By Tracy Crowe

Christmas is a wonderful, magical time of year. It is a time of happiness and of creating joyful memories. Disneyland is a wonderful, magical, happy place, where one creates joyful memories. To experience Christmas at Disneyland, would enhance both of them.

Disneyland takes on a special look at Christmas. Although it is crowded for this season, the crowds are manageable if you plan ahead. The winter's biggest crowds are over Thanksgiving weekend and from Christmas Eve to New Years, but even in December before Christmas Eve it can be crowded. It would be a good idea if you are going for more than one day, to buy your Disneyland tickets online in advance. It is also wise to use Ridemax to avoid standing in line. If you are interested in tours such as the "Walk in Walt's Footsteps Tour", you should reserve them more than a month in advance at 714-781-4400. Reservations for Disneyland restaurants should be made at least two weeks, and preferably up to a month, in advance at 714-781-3463
The Christmas decorations at Disneyland are best in Toontown and New Orleans Square, although they are found throughout the park. In Town Square, at the end of Main Street, there is a 60 ft. Christmas tree covered with thousands of lights and ornaments. In New Orleans Square, every alcove and balcony is decorated for Christmas, and each lamp post is decorated with a different color scheme.

There are all kinds of special things to see and do at Disneyland at Christmas. Here are a few ideas:

1) You can enjoy the holiday makeover of "It's a Small World". There are colorful wreaths and garlands, each one detailed and unique, decorating the promenade leading up to the attraction. At night the facade looks magical with over 300,000 colorful lights. When you go inside, each country is decorated for Christmas and it is fun to try to spot the clever details of the holiday traditions. The theme song is blended with Jingle Bells, Deck the Halls, and We Wish You a Merry Christmas.

2) You can watch the holiday fireworks and snow. The red and green fireworks are shot off above Sleeping Beauty's castle, accompanied by music. The best places to see them would be facing the castle, on a bench, preferably closer to Tomorrowland than Frontierland, so that the fireworks will look like they're behind the castle. Plan on waiting an hour or two for a prime spot on a bench, especially in the snowfall locations. Pick up a map of the park at the gate to find out where the selected spots are that snow will fall just after the fireworks end. As "White Christmas" is played, icicles appear on the castle and snow starts swirling around.

3) You can watch the Disney Christmas parade travel down Main Street (the most crowded but the most beautiful place to see it is the Main Street train station platform), through Fantasyland and towards the Town Square. Check the entertainment schedule when you arrive to find out the parade times and which direction it will be going in. Disney princes and princesses, as well as other Disney characters, are joined by marching nutcrackers, toy soldiers, and dancing snowmen. Santa himself is riding on a giant sleigh.

4) You can enjoy the Christmas carolers who travel around the park performing popular Christmas tunes from around the world. They, muffs and all, perform traditional carols up and down Main Street. Check in the daily entertainment schedule for their performance times.

5) You can enjoy great Christmas food on Main Street. Children, for about five dollars, can get and decorate a large sugar cookie with a choice of two frostings and two sprinkles. Watch out for the blue icing, it will permanently dye your lips. You can get gingerbread men at the Blue Ribbon Bakery during November and December. Every Friday in December you can get fresh candy canes at the Main Street candy shop. You can even watch them making the candy canes through the window of the Candy Kitchen.

Disneyland at Christmas is a magical place at a magical time. There are all kinds of special decorations and activities at Disneyland to celebrate Christmas. As long as you plan ahead, you'll have a wonderful holiday trip. Enjoy.

Tracy Crowe loves the fun of Disneyland and the joy of Christmas

For information about Disney theme parks, visit http://yourdisneythemeparkinfosite.com

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