6 Reasons Disneyland Is the Merriest Place on Earth During the Holidays

There may be no place like home for the holidays, but California’s Disneyland Resort is easily a close second. Both the Disneyland and Disney California Adventure theme parks are dressed in their holiday finery, and many traditional attractions transform into special editions you can only see during this limited time. With everything to see, do and taste during the holiday season, some might say it’s the “Merriest Place on Earth.” Here’s our guide for what not to miss this holiday season.

1/6  The Christmas Tree at Disneyland Park

Start off at Disneyland Park where poinsettias and greenery deck the iconic Disneyland railroad station even before you step foot inside. Upon entering, the turn-of-the-century town square boasts a 60-foot Christmas tree loaded with 1,500 ornaments, lights, and oversized faux flickering candles. Continue down Main Street USA where the Dapper Dans barbershop quartet sings a medley of Christmas Carols while you stroll to Sleeping Beauty’s Winter Castle dusted with snow, greenery, glittering lights, and icicles.

2/6  Decked Out Rides

Disneyland is decking their halls and their attractions. Two of Disneyland’s iconic attractions you don’t want to miss during the holidays? it’s a small world and Haunted Mansion. The classic it’s a small world boat ride adds a dazzling light display to its outdoor façade, and the inside is re-decorated with holiday wishes, songs and music. Haunted Mansion is slightly more sinister as Jack Skellington, his pal Zero, Sally, Oogie Boogie and more take over the house and grounds for Haunted Mansion Holiday. Both it’s a small world holiday and Haunted Mansion Holiday are magical re-imaginings of the venerable attractions, transforming them into vastly different experiences.

3/6  Festival of Holidays

Across the esplanade Disney California Adventure hosts a Festival of Holidays with decorations, concerts, live music and special seasonal food celebrating traditions around the world. Cars Land is decorated with automotive themed Christmas decorations and trees throughout Radiator Springs. Santa Mater’s on hand to greet families, Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters becomes Luigi’s Joy to the Whirl, and Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree becomes Mater’s Jingle Jamboree.

4/6  Santa Claus Comes to Town

Of course it wouldn’t be the holidays without Santa Claus, and families can wave hello as Santa rides by in his sleigh piled high with presents during the finale of Disneyland’s A Christmas Fantasy Parade. Afterwards, Santa heads over to Disney California Adventure’s Redwood Creek Challenge Trail to visit with Goofy and the kids. Cap off the night with “Believe… in Holiday Magic” fireworks spectacular as snow falls on Main Street USA and throughout the park.

5/6  Festive Foods

Nothing says holidays like a bounty of tasty goodies, sweets and savory treats. Disneyland chefs have created everything from candy cane beignets to a Holiday Dinner pizza topped with roasted turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, bacon, vegetables and cranberry sauce. Other festive food favorites include Santa Hat macarons and chocolate mint Yule Logs at Disneyland Park and a Blue plate special open faced turkey sandwich at Flo’s V8 Café in Disney California Adventure. It’s not just the parks with delicious offerings, the Disneyland Hotel offers a Very Merry Holiday Tea Party with chocolate “coal” scones and desserts shaped like holiday wreaths, snowmen and Mickey in a Christmas hat.

6/6  Holiday Hotel Magic

Speaking of the Disneyland Resort hotels, the holiday magic continues at all three properties including a signature Christmas tree and themed décor at each location. Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa features a giant, 7-foot tall, 12-foot-wide replica of the hotel in the lobby made from 600 pounds of fragrant gingerbread. For a personal touch, families can have their own 4-foot, pre-lit, decorated Christmas tree set up in their room that they can take home for a memory of their stay.

By Dave Parfitt