Many of the rides are decked out for Christmas. The Haunted Mansion and It's a Small World undergo some major decor changes but even rides like Storybook Land (my favorite ride!) have Christmasy touches added to them. We loved the signs on the light posts, the evergreen garland strung across door frames, the red bows, and the many wreaths illustrating Christmas spirit at Disneyland.
Some decor was plainly visible during the day... and then changed at night. For example, It's a Small World and Sleeping Beauty's Castle during the day....
... transformed into this at night!
It wasn't just the kids we heard oohhhhing and aahhhhing when the lights went on!
Big Thunder Ranch hosted some very special "guests" from Thanksgiving through Christmas Eve. They were resting while we were there- preparing for a long trip they would soon be making!
Downtown Disney was every bit as festive and glittery as the park itself with their own humongous Christmas tree and kiosk stations where kids could write letters to Santa or make a card for their parents. And, of course, Santa made daily appearances. But my favorite part was the Christmas tree display. Off to the side of the giant tree were seventeen much smaller (only seven or eight feet tall!) trees decorated by employees of Downtown Disney stores and restaurants. Ornaments and tree decor reflected the business- for example, ESPN Store's tree had sports ball ornaments while the Disney Store used Mickey ornaments. Gifts and gift cards adorned the trees as well. The trees were then given to military families from the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit.
Disneyland puts on world-class parades that entertain children of all ages... and the Christmas Parade did not disappoint! We sipped hot cocoa and munched on gingerbread as we watched our favorite Disney characters dance and entertain us.
And finally, at the end of the parade, Santa made an appearance.
Christmas at Disneyland is very secular (with the exception of traditional carolers singing Christmas hymns)- but it is still nice to hear cast members (Disneyland employees for those who don't know) wish us a "Merry Christmas!" not "Happy Holidays" and to have them refer to the CHRISTMAS trees, ornaments, gifts, stockings, etc. There is only one place in the park that refers to Hanukkah- a door on Main Street where "Dr. Benjamin Silverstein" practices general medicine (he has a menorah in the window). People from many countries, ethnicities and cultures come to Disneyland- and still Disneyland celebrates Christmas.
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