Updated 11/4/19: Photos of the Main Street Christmas Tree have been added
Now that the moon has set on Halloween, the magical sparkle of Christmas is being shipped to the parks and unpacked in time for its official debut this coming weekend. Most of the pumpkins have been put away, and California Adventure’s Festival of the Holidays booths already line the parade route. It doesn’t take long for Disney to transition from scary to merry.
Grab your cozy slippers and a cup of hot chocolate . . . let’s get this holiday started!
Sleeping Beauty Castle Winter Wardrobe
One of the most highly anticipated holiday additions at the Disneyland Resort is the snowcapped turrets of Sleeping Beauty Castle. Because the Castle had a dramatic color scheme change earlier this year, the snowcapped turrets have been repainted to match the new roofing.
The snowcaps remain largely the same from previous years, but there are a few noticeable changes. Obviously, the most prominent difference is the new color palette of the Castle’s roof tiles with shades of royal blue and purple to mirror the actual roof underneath the caps.
The spiral icicles have made their way onto the eaves of the turrets.
The color-matching on the snowcaps is approximate, but not identical to the roofing underneath. The holiday version is a darker blue and purple. The gold patterned accents are still featured.
The other noticeable difference is the color of the snow itself. Although creative liberty is necessary to create a magical snowfall in sunny California (this weekend had a high of 84°!), the blue added for shading is a bit excessive.
The topping of snow is applied to the castle in sections, but seeing the visible line between those sections is a little jarring at the moment. They generally try to obscure the seams after all the parts have been positioned.
With that said, the patching could definitely be less obvious.
Even with our nitpickiness, Sleeping Beauty Castle’s holiday look is beautiful, especially from a distance.
Do you like the look of this year’s iteration of the holiday Castle?
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Holiday Decor Around the Resort
Main Street, U.S.A.
As you’re reading this, Main Street is undergoing the final process of Christmas-ing. There are a handful of the traditional garlands and wreaths lining the street and adorning the buildings.
Update: The giant Christmas Tree on Main Street was assembled early this morning. It’s an integral part of the holiday celebration at Disneyland, and will likely be a prime photo spot for thousands visiting the Resort. Do you like the vintage look of the ornaments?
Have you ever wondered how Disneyland gets their massive Christmas tree onto Main Street? Spoiler: it involves the use of a crane!
New Orleans Square
There’s nothing quite like the vivacious Mardi Gras-esque displays of festivity in New Orleans Square.
I’ve always been fond of the gilded moon and stars high in the trees.
Whimsical jesters adorn the balconies.
Critter Country
It’s a rustic Christmas in Critter Country.
Brer Bear and Brer Fox have a special Christmas gift… I wonder who it’s from…
Pooh will soon be kicked out of his meet and greet spot by Santa.
Frontierland
Decorations in Frontierland have a Mexican flair.
We should see some additional decor here shortly as well. Western wreaths, some additional garland, and decorations fitting for the area.
Fantasyland
The happiest land of them all doesn’t really participate in the holidays. The one major exception is it’s a small world, which transforms every year with a popular holiday overlay.
The holiday lights are being added to the castle-like facade now.
Some of the light towers on Small World Mall are behind scrims right now for refurbishment.
Storybook Land
One Holiday-themed attraction that doesn’t get mentioned much is Storybook Land and its miniature-but-supremely-festive glory.
The attention to detail in the attraction is amplified with the tiniest Christmas decorations you could only imagine.
This Christmas, all I want is to be able to shrink down and walk around this magical collection of kingdoms and villages.
Disney California Adventure
The resort’s other park gets into the spirit too. In fact, some of the biggest elements of the season will happen at DCA.
Beuna Vista Street
The Headless Horseman has galloped away for the spooky season and soon a giant tree will pop up in this spot.
But as of Sunday, the decorations on Buena Vista Street hadn’t been placed yet.
Grizzly River Run
Trees on the trail around Grizzly Mountain are dotted with glass jars filled with lightning bugs. Of course, these fellows cast a holiday glow in shades of red, green and white. The lampposts are wrapped in garland.
Even the statues in the area get into the act this time of year with their holiday sweaters.
Redwood Creek Challenge Trail is closed while Villains Grove is removed.
Cars Land
The extensive Halloween decorations have been removed from Cars Land and there’s a short stall until Christmas decorations go up later this week.
The one thing that was installed early was holiday additions to the “Horn-O-Plenty” near Luigi’s.
Pacific Wharf
Themed decorations have gone up in Pacific Wharf. Each of the establishments has garland with embellishments that fit their theme.
Sourdough bread decorations have been hung from the Pacific Wharf garland.
The Lucky Fortune Cookery has some cute decorations – takeout boxes and fortune cookies of course.
Festival of Holidays
A favorite celebration returns November 8 through January 6 this season. Festival of the Holidays is one part food festival and one part entertainment. And it’s not just Christmas, guests will hear the sounds and stories of Hanukkah, Diwali, Kwanzaa and Three Kings’ Day as well.
The food booths are already in position:
Merchandise awaits . . . This big tent in front of the Little Mermaid ride will have the festival shirts, plates, ornaments, glasses, and other items.
The festival is filled with entertainment. You’ll find bands playing at the Golden Vine Winery, Pacific Wharf, in the World of Color amphitheater, and in Paradise Gardens, as well as strolling entertainment.
My favorite show of the season is ¡Viva Navidad! Really looking forward to seeing this high energy holiday pageant of Hispanic song and dance again.
There are also some new entertainment additions coming to the festival this year. There will be a twice-daily all-new character celebration, “Mickey’s Happy Holidays” that dance to the beat of the drum from the Toy Soldier Drummers.
Also new this year, the Holiday Sunset Concerts on the Palisades Stage featuring The Suffragettes, a cover band that will be sure to rock all night long with songs from your favorite artists. You can also expect to hear from the Phat Cat Swinger band with their selection of irresistible holiday hits.
Not to be forgotten are the performances that honor the many cultural holidays celebrated during the festival, like Blue13 Dance Company’s tribute to Diwali, Mostly Kosher celebrating Hannukah, A Capella performances for Christmas and Kwanza.
One thing that doesn’t appear to be returning this season is the Elena of Avalor show, which isn’t currently listed by the park.
Holiday Spectaculars and Entertainment
With three big nighttime spectaculars at the Disneyland Resort, the parks should be packed once again this holiday season.
World of Color – Season of Light
Due to an extended problem with World of Color last year, there was no “Season of Light” in the 2018 season. But with a parade, fireworks, and Fantasmic over at Disneyland, DCA’s Festival of Holidays are much needed to help balance crowds across the Resort.
A Christmas Fantasy Parade
Disney’s aging Christmas Parade returns again this year. Like the Electrical Parade, it’s been around so long that folks have become nostalgic about it. Everyone seems to have a favorite segment . . . the toy soldiers, dancing reindeer, Santa . . . what’s yours?
Believe…in Holiday Magic Fireworks
“Does your heart hold the magic of the holidays? Is it filled with warm memories just waiting to be discovered again? Now is the time to open your heart, believe in that magic, and remember those treasured moments…they’re still there, deep within you, waiting to touch you once more.”
Holiday Merchandise and Shops
Natalie has been sharing the new holiday merchandise as it has rolled out. But we like seeing how it is integrated into the parks.
Frontierland Mercantile
I really like the retro look of some of the items.
Holiday Shoppe in Fantasyland
I really like this line of Christmas ornaments inspired by Disneyland buildings. The facade is featured on one side and you can see the inside of the building on the other side.
Elias & Co.
Although Elias & Co. features the same merchandise found elsewhere at the resort, the mannequins above the registers have changed out of their Halloween costumes and into something a little more dressy for the season.
A couple doors down at Five and Dime, you can find the holiday DCA Starbucks mug and matching ornament.
World of Disney
The World of Disney store in Downtown Disney has the largest selection of holiday merchandise. If there’s something that you liked in one of the stores, you’re more than likely to find it here as well.
If you find all the holiday items overwhelming, be sure to read our guide to this year’s holiday merchandise collections:
Hotels
Grand Californian Hotel and Spa
Mr. Oogie Boogie was ushered out of the Grand Californian Hotel quietly after Halloween ended. Right now, there’s an empty space where the next culinary creation is awaiting its spotlight.
Next to the confection’s stage, the corner bar and snack stand await use. It’ll be functional starting November 8.
Since there’s so much to see this week, we’ve split our normal Disneyland Update into two segments. You can find your regular construction updates and park news tomorrow (Tuesday) morning.
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