Disneyland has once again transformed its two Anaheim parks for the holiday season. Throughout the two parks, you will find holiday decorations galore as well as some additional surprises to delight and enjoy. At Disneyland, there is the new Christmas Fantasy parade which is sure to entertain the younger guests in your group. In Fantasyland, the park has decked out It’s A Small World for the season, with an extremely-impressive makeover worth taking plenty of photos. Of course, the Haunted Mansion Holiday attraction makeover is still in effect, and has truly become a tradition for many families each Christmas season. The venerable Jungle Cruise attraction over in Disneyland’s Adventureland has also been made over for the season. “Jingle Cruise” features tons of holiday surprises, with lots of the attraction’s animatronics getting into the act.
At Disney California Adventure, they have a new holiday themed World of Color light show for guests as well as a completely made-over Cars Land area, with Christmas trees made from all manner of materials – from road cones to tires. Guests can also take their picture with the “big man” himself, Santa Clause, as well as enjoy a number of musical guests from all manner of genres singing holiday songs and a lot more. Check out park maps and the DCA website for times and dates. Additionally, there are so many good food options at DCA, I highly recommend you and your party go check out some of their culinary fare.
Towards the end of your day at the two parks, I highly recommend you making your way over to Disneyland so you can watch the “Believe… In Holiday Magic” fireworks spectacular. No one does fireworks shows quite like Disneyland and this show is no different – it is amazing and wondrous as its explosions are timed to music. A lot of people will tell you that the best areas to watch are in front of Sleeping Beauty’s castle, and they are probably right. However, I have also had some great fireworks viewing from inside Fantasyland, behind the castle. You miss some of the fireworks that launch over the castle itself, but the bigger ones are in prime view – you are actually so close you can get little particles of ash falling on you!
Overall, both Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure are both great stops for your family’s holiday plans this year. I recommend just investing in the 1-day park hopper pass which allows access to both parks.
