Contributing photographer Jason of disneygeek.com sends us these photos from his trip to the parks on Friday, November 7, 2014. Christmas officially kicks off at the Disneyland Resort next weekend, but this week most of the decorations are up and some of the entertainment starts.
The Mickey and Friends tram stop billboards feature Christmas now.
First stop today, Disneyland. The scaffolding is down and the new facade at the entrance to the new guest corridor behind Main Street is done. This is right next to the parade gate (across the street from the Mad Hatter).
Minnie in her winter outfit.
Main Street USA is partially decorated. No Christmas tree yet nor garland over the street due to the filming of the Christmas parade this weekend. Both should be installed next week. But the storefronts and lamp posts are decorated.
The recently refurbished facades with their garland.
The lockers have reopened.
Made my way to Tomorrowland to see about the Big Hero 6 Meet and Greet Preview. I arrived at the park late due to work. A cast member said tickets ran out about 90 minutes before I arrived. The meet and greet is usin gthe back half of the Starcade. They have it curtained off and you cannot get any pictures of the characters unless you go inside.
The Holiday popcorn bucket offerings this year include an Elf Mickey.
A Baymax Personal Beverage Companion Souvenir Sipper
A video clip of the parade stepping off (also some audio issues as the winter wonderland unit makes its way out).
The opening unit of a Christmas Fantasy Parade as it makes its first run of the season.
Mickey and Minnie are on the front of the Mail Room float. Donald and Daisy are on the back of the float and Mrs. Claus is nowhere to be seen.
Chip and Dale
Santa closing out the parade.
Small World Holiday returned today
A new bell structure replaced the old archway this year.
The sea serpent has surfaced in the Little Mermaid area this year.
Toontown is decorated. Here is Car Toon Spin.
The Five and Dime. Also notice the lights are back finally.
Olaf Lemonade Strawberry Frozen Bars for sale at several locations. This is Clarabelle’s. Also note the Halloween mugs are available too.
This weekend is the Christmas parade taping. Notice the name change. Disney Parks Frozen Christmas Celebration.
A wide shot of the area. Trees on both sides and a stage in the middle.
An ice crystal center stage.
A quick look into Frontierland. It has received its traditional garlands.
The Jungle Cruise is closed as they prepare for the holidays.
They have a special ceremony on Tuesday for Veterans day at 4:15pm
Over to Buena Vista Street.
A message from Olaf at Trolley Treats
The Buena Vista Street tree is up.
Award Wieners has Big Hero 6 food offerings.
The Muppets are closed as preparations for something new are underway inside (rumor is a Frozen sing along to open in late December).
The Red Car News Boys passing by after their show singing some Christmas music.
Mickey Mouse in Hollywood Land.
Stopped by Cars Land for the nightly lighting event. This evening they ran the regular show then turned the Christmas lights on after it.
As I was taking this picture someone bumped into me and I turned and it was John Lasseter and his entourage. He was giving Hayao Miyazaki a tour of Cars Land.
They posed for a picture in front of Flo’s
Mater’s tree.
The Bakery tour is walled off and closed, the Cafe is unaffected by this work.
Ghirardelli has gone to samples of the full size squares of peppermint bark for the holidays.
Out in Paradise Park World of Color Winter Dreams equipment is in place for next week’s return.
New glow offerings are showing up. Here are is a bow.
Holiday Specials at Taste Pilot’s
They have switched to the new shoe string fries, too. So guess it is resort wide. A nice upgrade.
The Buena Vista Street tree lit up this evening.
Making my way back to Disneyland.
Spotted Baymax making his way up Main Street (in balloon form). He is a light up balloon and costs $14.
Time for the 5:45 A Christmas Fantasy Parade.
A video clip from A Christmas Fantasy Parade.
Mickey on the Mail Room float.
The snow people making their way up the parade route.
The Frozen sisters and Olaf
New Orleans Square this evening
FastPass has returned for the Haunted Mansion Holiday. The sign was a bit off, it was actually a walk-on, no need for FastPass right now.
Christmas gingerbread next to a Halloween Time sign at the Hungry Bear.
Baymax floated into my picture of Small World Holiday.
A video clip of the quarter-hour clock sequence (no projections this evening).
A Mickey Nutcracker window at the Emporium
Over to Buena Vista Street. The Five and Dime windows
Season’s Speedings from Cars Land.
Flik’s Fun Fair, Tower of Terror, and a full moon.
Flik’s Christmas decorations are up.
Santa Mater greeting guests
Radiator Springs Curious Christmas decorations
Santa Stanley
The Paradise Pier tree was not lit this evening
A look at the now complete work on the Pier
Toy Story Midway Mania Christmas decorations
Midway Mercantile
Paradise Garden is ready for Viva Navidad! It kicks off next week. The food offerings are available now though.
Viva Navidad! Salad offering
The Bayside Brews offerings.
Back to Disneyland to close out my evening.
Mickey, Minnie, and Donald were greeting guests in Town Square.
Found a spot near the Cinema/old Disney Ana Store. Main Street had a good crowd but it was not jammed.
White Christmas and snow fall close out the show.
Hope you enjoyed this highlight tour of the Disneyland Resort. For additional photos and details from this trip you can check out the full Disneyland Update I posted on my site, http://disneygeek.com Also be sure to follow me on twitter @disneygeekcom for pictures from the parks.
I really enjoyed every bit of this. I’ll probably never get to the DLR, but things like this help me to feel like I can enjoy it anyway. Thank you so much.
Nice snapshots of Disneyland! Looks to be preparing a lot more than WDW at this moment in time, for the holidays. I was there yesterday but only in Downtown which is under construction.
We are star struck perhaps in central Florida, but remember we are not NEXT to Hollywood and stars visiting are a big deal here. We also get more visitors because of the size of the parks and the many other opportunities for tourists. It truly is a tourist mecca. I live here…and can attest to this fact. I rarely visit the parks during this holiday time except to see the Osborne lights that are awesome.
Jason, I am totally jealous you saw Hayao Miyazaki! Was there a big crowd gathered around the entourage?
**** Jason Reply ****
The crowd was fairly thin and most people were looking at the lights that just came on. A couple of guests did recognize John and asked for a picture with him. In the couple minutes I saw them no one else really bugged them. Guests at Disneyland seem to look and snap a picture but tend to leave people alone from what I have observed over the years. WDW seems to have more of the star struck run to celebrity moments. Maybe a difference in Southern California attitude vs tourist?