The holidays return to the Disneyland Resortwith heartwarming entertainment like “World of Color – Season of Light,” treats like a scrumptious peppermint churro and merry attractions like “it’s a small world” Holiday, which celebrates its 25thanniversary this year. This magical season brings sparkling décor, seasonal attractions, festive foods and holiday-themed merchandise for guests of all ages. Here are sentiments from creative cast members behind this season’s experiences, as well as facts about Holidays at the Disneyland Resort.
Cast member quotes
Trevor Rush, Producer, Disney Live Entertainment Costuming
“This year, Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and some of their pals are donning new holiday fashions in Disneyland Park. Featuring a classic red and green color palette with gold accents, these vintage-inspired looks were designed with wintry textures and patterns, like velvet, chenille, herringbone and plaid.”
Jay Garcia, Disneyland Resort Executive Chef
“Guests will discover more than 60 new seasonal bites and beverages throughout the Disneyland Resort, in addition to many returning classics and favorites. The pumpkin pie churro from the Cozy Cone Motel, mulled cranberry punch from Hungry Bear Restaurant and chile verde from Rancho del Zocalo Restaurante are just a few of the latest flavors to feast on this season.”
Rachel Gibas, Resort Enhancement Manager at Disneyland Resort
“During the holidays, both theme parks, Downtown Disney District and the Hotels of the Disneyland Resort turn into a winter wonderland with festive décor and seasonal landscaping. From designing and planning to installation, our talented Resort Enhancement and Horticulture cast members work year-round to bring this dazzling transformation to life.”
By-the-numbers and festive facts
Guests entering Disney California Adventure Park will see a 50-foot-tall Christmas tree with vintage-style ornaments, keeping with the theme of Buena Vista Street – which is inspired by Los Angeles as it appeared when Walt Disney arrived in the 1920s.
The delicious and diverse menu for this year’s Disney Festival of Holidays features more than 50 food and beverages. Highlights include the Santa’s Milk and Cookies hot cocoa, turkey poutine and chocolate bourbon-flavored tart.
At the entrance of Cars Land in Disney California Adventure, the whimsical “Snowcar” greets guests on the road to Radiator Springs, and each “Cars” character gets a holiday makeover at their Route 66 address to reflect their personality.
Five barges ignite in a brilliant lighting effect to create the grand finale for “World of Color – Season of Light,” filling the lagoon with a magical glow that lights up the night. Plus, more than 800 individual light fixtures illuminate the show.
Mickey Mouse and friends are rockin’ around the 60-foot tall Christmas tree on Main Street, U.S.A., in Disneyland Park, which is embellished with nearly 1,800 Victorian-inspired ornaments and 100oversized faux candles.
Originally debuted in 1995, “A Christmas Fantasy” Parade is the longest-running holiday parade in Disneyland Resort history. It features seven units comprised of 16 floats, including two stand-alone Christmas trees and a “Humdinger” wind-up toy car.
Sleeping Beauty’s Winter Castle is illuminated each evening with more than 25,000 twinkling LED lights on sparkling “icicles” and shimmering snow-capped turrets.
The Plaza Point holiday shop on the corner of Main Street, U.S.A., envelops guests in the warmth of the holidays year-round. The shop’s story focuses on proprietress Miss Evelyn Toro, a world traveler that enjoys collecting unique pieces of holiday décor to display in her store.
This year, Downtown Disney District features 25 seasonal foods and beverages, such as the peppermint ganache macarons from Kayla’s Cake, tikka masala pizza from Naples Ristorante e Bar and mistletoe mule from Catal Restaurant and Uva Bar & Café.
Disney’s support for the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves’ Toys for Tots program dates back to Walt Disney, who personally supervised the creation of the Toys for Tots logo and was a founding sponsor when the program began in 1947. Today, the Disneyland Resort is proud to continue supporting this tradition. Guests and cast members can join in the Disney Ultimate Toy Drive supporting Toys for Tots by donating a new, unwrapped toy at collection bins located at select shops in the Downtown Disney District or the Hotels of the Disneyland Resort through Dec. 12, or by purchasing a toy to donate online at shopDisney.com through Dec. 24.
An annual highlight at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa is the 7-foot-tall, 12-foot-wide gingerbread replica of the hotel, which is displayed in the lobby. This year’s creation is made from 600 pounds of powdered sugar, 250 pounds of fondant and one pound of “pixie dust.” Plus, it features 25 hidden Mickeys. After the season concludes, the gingerbread is recycled as part of the resort’s food scraps recovery program.
More than 25,000 poinsettia, cyclamen and flowering plants are placed and planted around the resort, adding color, theming and seasonal magic.