Two years ago my husband and I decided to visit Disneyland during Christmastime. We went at the beginning of December, partly to avoid crowds and partly to witness the tradition of the Candlelight Processional. That trip was one of the best we’ve been on at the Disney parks. I thought I would share some of my favorite memories of a Disneyland Christmas.
Walking into a fully decked out Main Street U.S.A. and seeing Sleeping Beauty Castle decorated like a frosted cake
Before this trip I had never seen Magic Kingdom or Disneyland decorated for the holidays. I had watched the Christmas parade on TV and seen pictures online, but I’d never gotten to see it for myself. Walking onto Main Street that first time was like walking into a favorite Christmas movie. There were garlands and wreaths and ornaments and lights everywhere in sight. A small Christmas tree could be seen in Walt’s old apartment over the firehouse, and a 60 foot tall version was located just outside in Town Square.
At the end of Main Street stood Sleeping Beauty Castle, iced completely with thousands of Christmas lights and artificial snow. For a moment we forgot we were in Southern California and were reminded of holidays back home in our native New York. Something about the traditional atmosphere Disney created natural brought back memories of favorite Christmas carols and family decorations. What more can I say? Main Street at Christmas looks like it came to life from a Christmas Card.
Listening to holiday puns aboard the “Jingle Cruise”
I’m not going to lie – my husband and I are notorious for puns (some would say bad ones, but at least we think they’re good). So obviously we appreciate the skippers of Adventureland’s Jungle Cruise. Well every December the attraction becomes the “Jingle Cruise”, bringing a variety of new holiday jokes. We had fun spotting the Christmas decorations that the “animals” had stolen (picture an elephant sporting lights). And while it’s not the most thrilling attraction Disney has ever built, we enjoy being around people who pun so much it would make Rapunzel proud .
Snacking on a bag of pumpkin beignets in New Orleans Square
It’s a fact: everything tastes better when it’s shaped like Mickey Mouse. This goes for the fresh beignets you can find at the Mint Julep bar in New Orleans Square. We always planned a stop there during our trips. They’re warm and covered in powdered sugar (and are even served in a bag filled with more sugar). From September – December they had the option of traditional beignets or pumpkin-flavored ones. When given the option, always pick the pumpkin. I didn’t even know I liked pumpkin that much until I tried them. We loved them so much we came back later in the day and bought a second bag (no shame). Nowadays they offer gingerbread ones during Christmastime, and I’m sure they’re pretty good too.
Touring the Christmas details in Cars Land
I love spotting all the details that Disney puts into their parks. We had so much fun exploring Cars Land in California Adventure, complete with Christmas trees built from every auto part you could imagine. We saw decorations made from road signs, traffic cones, mufflers, and even a towering stack of tires threaded with garlands. What I loved most was that the decorations fully immersed us in the Cars universe – the Imagineers clearly had fun thinking of how the characters would celebrate the holidays.
Hearing the theme from A Christmas Fantasy Parade so many times we couldn’t get it out of our heads
When we first entered the esplanade that morning we heard the trumpet’s blare of “A Christmas Fantasy” and my husband said “oh no…”. We knew instantly that the soundtrack was just too catchy to be good for us. By the time we saw the parade that afternoon it was permanently embedded in our heads (I’m not kidding, I still know all the words). Don’t get me wrong, it’s a great theme. But like “it’s a small world”, the repetition will wear on you after a while.
I do remember the moment my husband came around to the parade – he appreciated the goose-stepping toy soldiers marching down Main Street (military men love their marches). I especially loved the gingerbread houses and the princesses in their Christmas gowns. And by the way, nothing beats a corn dog from the Little Red Wagon while you wait for the parade to start!
Shouting “Merry Christmas!” among the crowds as they lit the Disneyland Christmas tree
Call me old-fashioned, but I love to hear people say “Merry Christmas”. I grew up in a household that celebrated several holidays this time of year, but at the end of the day certain traditions just belong to Christmas. We noticed on our trip that Cast Members went above and beyond to say “Season’s Greetings” or the like. I appreciate the efforts to include everyone, but there is also nothing wrong with acknowledging the inspiration for the season.
The thousands of people crowded in Town Square awaiting the Candlelight Processional felt the same way (given the nature of the event it’s not surprising). As they counted down the lighting of the tree and encouraged everyone to shout “Happy Holidays”, the entire group instead shouted “Merry Christmas!” as loud as they could. To be included in that moment was just special, and the lighting of the 60 foot tree made it magical.
Witnessing the beauty of the Candlelight Processional
The Disneyland Candlelight Ceremony and Processional has taken place on Main Street since 1958. I discovered it when researching Christmas activities, and I nearly missed it. At Disneyland it takes place only one weekend a year and isn’t as well advertised as other events. We planned our trip specifically around this weekend.
The ceremony includes a candlelight processional down Main Street, Christmas carols sung by a choir of 500 performers and accompanied by the Disneyland Symphony Orchestra, and a celebrity narrator reciting the story of the Nativity. The choir itself is comprised of local high school, college, church, and Disneyland singers. It was truly incredible to see this performance with the backdrop of the Disneyland Railroad.
I loved hearing the story interspersed with corresponding hymns and carols. The night we attended the narrator was actor Beau Bridges. He took the words to heart and read them wonderfully. As he finished he said, “I’ve been waiting so say this all day…Merry Christmas!”
Above all, one of my favorite things about Disneyland is how its events and shows spring to life right in front of your eyes. The park is surely smaller than its Florida counterpart, but it works to its advantage with performances such as this because they seem more personal and poignant.
Choosing our first Disney Christmas ornaments
After leaving the parks we headed to Downtown Disney for a little Christmas shopping. The World of Disney store has a massive collection of Disney ornaments of all shapes and sizes. My husband promised I could pick one for our first married Christmas. There were just so many to choose from! In the end I found a set of Victorian-themed Mickey and Minnie ornaments that I fell in love with.
Those ornaments are now the first to go on our tree every year, and have tabletop figurines to match. In fact, we themed all our Christmas decorations around that Victorian style when we picked out our first full-sized tree and ornament sets. They remind us not only of the traditional Christmas scenes we enjoy, but of memories at the parks having carefree fun.
Strolling through Downtown Disney serenaded by live Christmas music
We ended the evening wandering around the shops and sights of Downtown Disney. By this time it was well after midnight, but the paths were lit with Christmas lights and a few performers were scattered throughout the district. I remember a violist playing familiar Christmas favorites, and we stood and listening for a while. It was simple, but it was the perfect, peaceful end to our trip.
These are just a few of my favorite moments. Disneyland at Christmas offers even more than these, including Mickey’s Christmas Party and attractions such as Haunted Mansion Holiday. But I think that’s part of the magic of Disney – there are so many incredible things to experience that everyone has different favorites.
What are your favorite Disney Christmas memories?
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