Christmas Time at Disneyland!
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| By far, my favorite place to get in
the Christmas spirit is Disneyland.
Every year, from mid-November through early-January, the
Happiest Place on Earth becomes the Merriest Place on Earth.
At Disneyland in California, the park isn’t merely decorated
for the winter holidays, in many ways it is transformed. The
regular parade becomes the Christmas Fantasy Parade; the
fireworks show becomes the Believe… in Holiday Magic Fireworks
Spectacular; the "it’s a small world" ride is
elaborately decorated for the holidays and the dolls sing
“Jingle Bells;” and the Haunted Mansion ride becomes, what
feels like the completely different, Haunted Mansion
Holiday. On January 6th, 2013, a friend and I visited Disneyland for the final day of the festivities for the 2012-13 holiday season. Our first stop was Haunted Mansion Holiday. The ride tells the story from Tim Burton’s film, The Nightmare Before Christmas, and includes many of the catchy songs. I like this version even better than the "regular" Haunted Mansion. |
 Inside the Haunted Mansion Holiday ride |
| After a jaunt on Indiana Jones Adventure, an exciting jeep
ride through an ancient temple, we stopped by the Dia De
Reyes (Three Kings Day) celebration (offered January 4-6th,
2013) behind Big Thunder Ranch. There were character
greetings (we saw the Three Caballeros characters);
unique foods, like a mini Rosca de Reyes (a ring shaped
sweet bread) available for purchase; and face painting,
coloring, and paper crowns for the children. On the stage,
performances by Disneyland dancers, including Disney
costumed characters, alternated with performances by local dance
troupes. Next, we headed over to Space Mountain, which had over an hour wait-time posted, to pick up a FASTPASS and then rode Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage. After our voyage through Nemo’s underwater world, we enjoyed the a sail through "it’s a small world" Holiday, marveling at the festive holiday decorations. |
 Inside the "it's a small world" Holiday ride |
| Back at New Orleans Square, we checked in for our lunch
reservation at the Blue Bayou Restaurant and were thrilled
to be seated at a table right along the bayou. Soft
Christmas music with a New Orleans flair filled the air. We
enjoyed the crusty bread rolls, pecan and cranberry salad
(chicken gumbo soup was also available instead of the
salad), and our entrees (perfectly-seasoned chicken breast
with thinly sliced au gratin potatoes and green beans for me
and a portobello mushroom with couscous dish for my friend)
while we watched the shadows of boats full of parkgoers on
the Pirates of the Caribbean ride quietly sail past and “fireflies” dance in
the distance. After lunch, we sailed into the world of pirates on the Pirates of the Caribbean ride. And then we went back to Space Mountain, where we used our FASTPASSES to bypass most of the 65-minute wait for a rollercoaster ride through outer space. Then it was time for the second showing of A Christmas Fantasy Parade. We found a spot along the curb on Main Street and watched the sky darken into night. And then I heard the music that I looked forward to every holiday season. Soon, dancers dressed like elves, snowflakes, and gingerbread men; and holiday-themed floats carrying Disney characters, princesses and princes made their way up the street. At the end of the parade, Santa Claus made an appearance in his sleigh. |
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| After the parade was over, because it was a Sunday evening and my friend had to work early the next morning, we headed home. On past visits, we’d seen the exceptional Fantasmic! (with its projections onto screens of water, Disney characters, and fire effects) and Believe… in Holiday Magic (a breath-taking, heart-warming, holiday-themed fireworks show). Although I would have loved to see them again that night, I didn't despair; because we live not far from Anaheim, I knew I’d be back. |
I did this in 2013 in Anaheim, California, USA. |
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Jen is also known as J.W. Lynne, a best selling author of eleven novels. Her works include: THE UNKNOWN: Eight kidnapped children wake up in a mysterious world full of secrets. ABOVE THE SKY: A girl lives in a world where touching her soulmate is forbidden. THE DARKNESS OUTSIDE: A teen is locked in a bunker to take a simulated trip to the moon. KID DOCS: Teen doctors learn what it really means to practice medicine. WILD ANIMAL SCHOOL: A girl falls in love with a boy at an exotic animal ranch. IF I TELL: A teen wonders if her father is a serial killer. WHAT HE DIDN'T TELL ME: A traumatized girl meets a boy with a horrible secret. Besides reading books and dreaming up stories to write, Jen's favorite activities are singing along to musical theater soundtracks and hiking in California's beautiful parks. Check out Jen's books on Amazon! |
You might also enjoy: Jen's Disney Bucket List Jen's Disneyland Bucket List |