Disneyland Resort Updates – 11/23/16

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Contributing photographer Jason of disneygeek.com sends us these photos from his pre-Thanksgiving trip to the parks on Wednesday, November 23, 2016.

There is now a preferred parking option at Disneyland. They had the first 20 spots of the 4 or 5 rows closest the escalators blocked off on each floor.

Jason @ disneygeek.com image from Wednesday, November 23, 2016
The preferred parking area on the roof. Only one car in it when I arrived.

Jason @ disneygeek.com image from Wednesday, November 23, 2016

Looks like they are prepared for a busy weekend, a sign up, guessing to inform guests of the parks at capacity. It just said welcome on Wednesday.

Jason @ disneygeek.com image from Wednesday, November 23, 2016

Holiday popcorn bucket.

Jason @ disneygeek.com image from Wednesday, November 23, 2016

A photo spot for Moana is set up in the courtyard between the Oasis and Jingle Cruise Exit.

Jason @ disneygeek.com image from Wednesday, November 23, 2016

The Toy Soldiers were in A Christmas Fantasy Parade today. They were just about to wrap up their march when I arrived in Town Square.

Jason @ disneygeek.com image from Wednesday, November 23, 2016

Santa has moved into Redwood Creek

Jason @ disneygeek.com image from Wednesday, November 23, 2016

And his elves have decorated the area.

Jason @ disneygeek.com image from Wednesday, November 23, 2016

A map showing the holiday activities.

Jason @ disneygeek.com image from Wednesday, November 23, 2016

Santa is in the small theater, so getting a clear picture of him without waiting in line was a challenge.

Jason @ disneygeek.com image from Wednesday, November 23, 2016

A photo op along the trail.

Jason @ disneygeek.com image from Wednesday, November 23, 2016

Thought this was a nice detail — carrots and a landing strip on the roof for the reindeer.

Jason @ disneygeek.com image from Wednesday, November 23, 2016

Jingle Bridge

Jason @ disneygeek.com image from Wednesday, November 23, 2016

Jason @ disneygeek.com image from Wednesday, November 23, 2016

Decorations on the Fly With the Reindeer.

Jason @ disneygeek.com image from Wednesday, November 23, 2016

Jason @ disneygeek.com image from Wednesday, November 23, 2016

The Camp Notices board features pictures of the elves.

Jason @ disneygeek.com image from Wednesday, November 23, 2016

I spent a couple hours of my visit walking around the Festival of Holidays and taking in the entertainment. I found the Stilt Circus performers near a Bugs Land.

Jason @ disneygeek.com image from Wednesday, November 23, 2016

The Country Bears are part of the Festival with a Meet and Greet. Wendell out greeting guests when I walked by.

Jason @ disneygeek.com image from Wednesday, November 23, 2016

Liverlips coming out to join him. It is great seeing the bears out. Too bad they do not perform anymore in Anaheim. I had to go to Tokyo to see their Christmas show! (Which, by the way, is great — the Country Bears sing Christmas songs in Japanese!)

Jason @ disneygeek.com image from Wednesday, November 23, 2016

Mostly Kosher is one of seven groups performing as part of Festival of Holidays on Friday. They were at the Sonoma Terrace

Jason @ disneygeek.com image from Wednesday, November 23, 2016

Jason @ disneygeek.com image from Wednesday, November 23, 2016

RAISE is performing at the Pacific Wharf Stage during Festival of Holidays.

Jason @ disneygeek.com image from Wednesday, November 23, 2016

Blue13 Dance Company is performing in Paradise Park.

Jason @ disneygeek.com image from Wednesday, November 23, 2016

Here’s Princess Elena arriving.

Jason @ disneygeek.com image from Wednesday, November 23, 2016

Jason @ disneygeek.com image from Wednesday, November 23, 2016

A couple video clips of Princess Elena’s Musical Grand Arrival.

Near the finale, kids are invited up to be part of the show.

Jason @ disneygeek.com image from Wednesday, November 23, 2016

After eating, I found a spot for Viva Navidad!

Jason @ disneygeek.com image from Wednesday, November 23, 2016

The show is the same as last year… which is great!

Jason @ disneygeek.com image from Wednesday, November 23, 2016

One change is the updated Mickey and Minnie characters this year.

Jason @ disneygeek.com image from Wednesday, November 23, 2016

Jason @ disneygeek.com image from Wednesday, November 23, 2016
Minnie Mouse

Jason @ disneygeek.com image from Wednesday, November 23, 2016

Blue13 Dance Company was out again as I walked by.

I made it to Buena Vista Street in time for the Tree Lighting. Do not blink or you miss the lighting this year. It clocked in well under a minute and was disappointing compared to the production number of the past few years.

Jason @ disneygeek.com image from Wednesday, November 23, 2016

A video of the Buena Vista Street Holiday Tree Lighting (which happens at 4:55pm nightly).

Jason @ disneygeek.com image from Wednesday, November 23, 2016

Stopped by for a second Viva Navidad! — this time under the lights with a better view.

Jason @ disneygeek.com image from Wednesday, November 23, 2016

Jason @ disneygeek.com image from Wednesday, November 23, 2016

Video clip from the finale of Viva Navidad!

Paint the Night has returned for a holiday run.

Jason @ disneygeek.com image from Wednesday, November 23, 2016

Here’s a video clip of the Toy Story section of Paint the Night.

Jason @ disneygeek.com image from Wednesday, November 23, 2016

Looking back toward Town Square.

Jason @ disneygeek.com image from Wednesday, November 23, 2016

The Partners Statue and Sleeping Beauty Castle

>Jason @ disneygeek.com image from Wednesday, November 23, 2016

Sleeping Beauty Castle

Jason @ disneygeek.com image from Wednesday, November 23, 2016

Ready for the Winter Castle Transformation. After the transformation the snow is lit.

Jason @ disneygeek.com image from Wednesday, November 23, 2016

Sleeping Beauty Winter Castle Transformation happens twice nightly. At 7:30 and 8:30. Here is a video of the 7:30pm transformation.

Small World Holiday lit up for the holidays.

Jason @ disneygeek.com image from Wednesday, November 23, 2016

Jason @ disneygeek.com image from Wednesday, November 23, 2016

On most quarter hours after the clock sequence a short projection show occurs. Here is a video of this year’s (seems the same as last year).

Jason @ disneygeek.com image from Wednesday, November 23, 2016

Back to Main Street USA

Jason @ disneygeek.com image from Wednesday, November 23, 2016

A video of the second transformation of Sleeping Beauty’s Winter Castle.

Believe in Holiday Magic has returned this year.

Jason @ disneygeek.com image from Wednesday, November 23, 2016

This year, projections on the castle were used throughout the show.

Jason @ disneygeek.com image from Wednesday, November 23, 2016

Jason @ disneygeek.com image from Wednesday, November 23, 2016

I closed out my evening with World of Color – Season Of Light. Laura Gilbreath did a post on the new show, but thought I would include some video clips:

Jason @ disneygeek.com image from Wednesday, November 23, 2016

Feliz Navidad segment.

Video of the finale number for World of Color Season of Light.

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, https://disneygeek.com Also be sure to follow me on twitter @disneygeekcom for pictures from the parks.

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Jason is a guest contributor from disneygeek.com sharing pictures, thoughts and observations from his Disney travels with a west coast focus. He has been posting Disney-related content to his site since 1994. He has visited all 12 Disney theme parks over the years plus has had many other Disney adventures. He is a programmer by trade, and has helped with several projects here on AllEars.net over the years.

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