Disneyland Resort Becomes The Merriest Place on Earth

Category: Activities, Performances, & Events

 

This year, as in the past, Disneyland and Disney California Adventure have been transformed into winter wonderlands. They have been spruced up (no pun intended) for the season and celebrate not only Christmas, but also Chanukah and the New Year. From the legendary Christmas tree at the end of Main Street USA, to Sleeping Beauty’s Castle all decked out in snow and ice, Disneyland Park and DCA are filled with the spirit of the holidays. Mater, sporting a flattering winter hat, greets visitors in Cars Land, and holiday-clad Mickey and Minnie, along with the entire gang, fill the parks with their winter merriment.

 

 

And, the transformation to “The Merriest Place on Earth” is not only on the outside. Several attractions have been redesigned for the season. Of course, Disneyland-addicts are well aware of the holiday version of The Haunted Mansion with Jack Skeleton. This year The Jungle Cruise has turned into The Jingle Cruise. The animals along the river do not wear festive clothing, but the dialogues of the boat captains have been rewritten for the holidays. It brings the spirit of the season to this iconic attraction.

And, the children of the world greet guests with not only their “memorable” song, but also with holiday tunes as well. Jingle Bells accompanies the boats along the It’s a Small World River and the “children” are preparing for the season. Some wear holiday accessories, and for those countries that don’t celebrate Christmas, the “kids” are preparing for 2014. Happy New Year!

 

And rounding out a day in Disneyland is “A Christmas Fantasy Parade” in which the Disney characters put on a fun parade with the holiday spirit. Roller-skating snowflakes, marching soldiers, Pooh, Tigger, Eeyore, Pinocchio, Chip and Dale, Mickey and Minnie, the Disney Princesses, and others make their way along the parade route spreading plenty of holiday joy.

 

 

Over in Disney California Adventure, they have outdone themselves with the spirit too. Santa is available for visits and in Cars Land the vehicles are decked out for the holidays.

 

 

The evening ends with “World of Color: Winter Dreams,” a new water/light show for the season. “World of Color” is an amazing show put on at Paradise Pier. The colors projected on the jumping and dancing water is spectacular, but that isn’t the crux of the show. The images projected on the spraying water are remarkable sights to see.  And in “World of Color: Winter Dreams,” the theme of the show is the season. Hosted by Olaf, the singing snowman from the new movie Frozen, “Winter Dreams” takes guests on a magical tour of several memorable scenes from iconic Disney movies, as well as adds new ones just for the show. My favorite is “The Nutcracker” dances by the cast of Toy Story. How cute to see the three-eyed aliens dancing to Tchaikovsky. And all of this is done on sprays of water. Just remember, the closer you are to the water, the wetter you’ll get. And, if you and your family don’t celebrate Christmas, Disney has included a nod to Chanukah as well. Plus, let’s not forget the New Year.

 

 

This spectacular show is the highlight of a visit to Disneyland Resort. There are over 17 million – that’s million with an “m” – pixels. Compare that to a high def TV which only has a little over 2 million. And, take a look around the lagoon at Mickey’s Fun Wheel which has new moving lights, and at California Screamin’ they have added 650 new lights so not only are the sights and sounds on – and above – the water, but they are all around the pier.

 

The Merriest Place on Earth at Disneyland Resort runs through January 6, 2014. Celebrate the season with the merriment of the Disney characters. It’s a fun way to celebrate the winter season and bring in the New Year.

 

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment business for 20 years. She also writes about technology and has been a travel writer for the past 12 years. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet: The World of Entertainment Journalists, from Sourced Media Books.

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