Originally Posted By TheMick We have not had a chance to be at Disneyland around Christmas time for NINE years. But, this year is the year!!!!! As a matter of fact, now that I think about it, our kids have only seen Disneyland in the summer. So, what does everyone recommend?! We will be there Dec. 28th - 30th, and our kids are eight and four. Any and all tips and recommendations are most welcome. WE ARE SO EXCITED!!!!!
Originally Posted By FerretAfros Definately see it's a small world holiday and Haunted Mansion Holiday. They totally make the season at Disneyland. The Haunted Mansion may be a stretch for the four year old (it's not too scary, probably less scary than the traditional version), but the Nightmare Before Christmas stuff is really cool and if you can you should totally check it out. At least stop by it's a small world holiday at night, even if you rode it during the day, just to look at all the lights. They do projections on it with Christmas music after the clock goes off every 15 minutes, so if you could catch that too, it would really add to it. Make sure to see the fireworks (assuming that the kids aren't scared of them, I know I was as a child). They are really nice and just give you warm fuzzies inside. When you look at the park map, there will be areas with giant snowflakes on them. Make sure to go to one of those places as it will snow after the fireworks. I would suggest somewhere along Main Street or in front of the castle. If at all possible, don't tell the kids about the snow, as it will make it extra magical. Be sure to catch the Christmas Fantasy Parade, even though it hasn't really changed much over time. There are also decorations all over the park that look great. There's the main tree on Main Street, along with all the traditional stuff, including a great group of carolers. One of my favorite areas in the holidays is Critter Country, as it just seems to have a really homey vibe to it. Also, Toontown and Frontierland have some interesting things up. In California Adventure, make sure to check out the letters out front, as they are decorated to look like giant candy canes. They have oversized decorations in Flik's Fun Fair, which are really fun. There is also a more traditional section near the San Fransisco area, including the park's tree that lights up with the music (when I was there, only the top half of the lights were working though). For a 40's/50's kitsch take on Christmas decorations, check out the Hollywood Pictures Backlot, as they have some stuff there. They also have really earthy, California looking decorations up in the Pacific Wharf area that are worth a quick look at as well.
Originally Posted By cmpaley The only thing I'd add would be to visit the lobbies of the hotels and take in the Christmas atmosphere to be found there as well. My personal favorite is the Grand Californian. It's so homey.
Originally Posted By DlandDug Small World Holiday has a "lighting moment" every evening at dusk. Check at City Hall for the time. If you can arrange to just be there when it happens, it is a great surprise. You will certainly want to take the children to Santa's Reindeer Roundup at the Big Thunder Ranch. Santa is in the cottage, Mrs. Claus has cookies to decorate, there is a little stage show with Woody, Jessie and bullseye, and best of all, there are live reindeer. Santa's reindeer! If anyone is close to their birthday while you're there, try My Disneyland Birthday at the Plaza Inn. Kids like Stitch? Stitch's Picture Phone on the second floor of Innoventions gets a face to face chat with the little blue devil. And a free photo to download when you get back home. If Finding Nemo is more appreciated, try Turtle Talk with Crush in the Animation building at the Hollywood Pictures Backlot in DCA. There are several fun activities there. I don't know if you have girls or boys or both. There is a very nice Magical Princess Faire in the Fantasyland Theater, and the Jedi Training Academy in Tomorrowland. Both are popular with all the kids.
Originally Posted By ChurroMonster Get to the parks EARLY! You will be visiting during the most crowded week of the year for the resort. Get there before opening and use FastPass liberally. You'll have a great time.
Originally Posted By dlkozy Try hard not to leave the parks for any reason-you might not be able to get back in. When we went during your time frame, DL shut down the gates 2 out of the 3 days that we were there.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros "My personal favorite is the Grand Californian. It's so homey. " I agree. It certainly has a warm glow around it during the Christmas season... : ) The lighting at it's a small world is listed at 4:57 on the website every day for a while. I haven't checked your dates, but I would expect them to be the same.
Originally Posted By TheMick Thanks to all for your MUCH appreciated information - all great stuff!!! Wish we didn't have to be there during Disneyland's most crowded time, but, hey, we GET TO BE THERE, so who's complaining?! The tip about not leaving will definitely be heeded as will arriving early. Thank you! As for magical princesses and the Jedi academy, apparently Disney was a fly on the wall in our house. My four year old daughter is all princess all the time, and my son is Mr. Star Wars. I am so grateful to be going when they are providing these most perfect of activities. We are going to have so much fun!!!! (Can't wait to see Santa's reindeer!)
