Contributing photographer Jason of disneygeek.com visited Disneyland on Monday, November 14, the first official day of the holiday season. Events included the special “it’s a small world” Holiday lighting ceremony and the first “A Christmas Fantasy” parade of the season.

Beginning at DCA – Santa was out this afternoon on Paradise Pier.

Over at Cars Land more scaffolding coming down.

I did not catch these large wreaths at Boardwalk Pizza and Pasta on Friday…maybe they were not there (or I just did not look up)

It appears only support wires, no electrical going to them.

The wires that I spotted at Mater’s on Friday have been removed, guess they were there to get the pattern/layout right.

The wires are up for the garland on Main Street (guessing it will go up overnight)

There was a small stage was set in front of “it’s a small world” for the special lighting event.

2011 Disneyland Ambassador Jolie Hales was the MC for the event.

Here is a video of the event. (Warning I was shooting stills and video at the same time so watch at your own risk)…

Gunnery Sgt. Derrick Poteat and his family arrived and took their spots on the stage.

The flipped the switch and nothing happened… oh no…

Chip and Dale rode in with a special present.

They had the last light bulb to connect the circuit and make the lights work.

This time it works!

A picture of the Poteat family. Poteat, who enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1996, has completed three tours and recently returned from the latest, a seven-month deployment in the Middle East.

Here he was joined by members of the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s family readiness team who were in attendance.

Duffy leads off the parade. This marks the first running of the “A Christmas Fantasy” parade this year.

There were no substantial changes that jumped out to me so here are some random shots.

I still miss the old reindeer…

It never registered with me but the rabbits on the the finale float pop up and down (or is that new?).

Some shots of a wintertime enchantment moment (or as I like to call it, snow event)

Time to check out the new “Trains of Disney” exhibit in the Disney Gallery. The sign is very cool. It has smoke and lights up.

Inside there is plenty of merchandise.

In the vault one of Walt’s cars.

Heading into the first exhibit room.

Now a look around.

Heading into the back room.

A model train is circling overhead (great touch!)

The trains of Walt Disney World

In one of the center display cases.

Back out to finish the first room.

Pluto and Minnie greeting guests.

A shot from Believe…in Holiday Magic which started last Friday.

One last shot up Main Street before heading to DCA.

Once at DCA headed out to the Pier and watched World of Color from the boardwalk (red zone).

No pop-up projection screens tonight.

But they did have the Little Green Alien projected on the loop.

And leading up to the finale again projecting on the loop.

To close, here are the Holiday Guidemaps.

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

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