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.
The preferred parking area on the roof. Only one car in it when I arrived.
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.
Holiday popcorn bucket.
A photo spot for Moana is set up in the courtyard between the Oasis and Jingle Cruise Exit.
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.
Santa has moved into Redwood Creek
And his elves have decorated the area.
A map showing the holiday activities.
Santa is in the small theater, so getting a clear picture of him without waiting in line was a challenge.
A photo op along the trail.
Thought this was a nice detail — carrots and a landing strip on the roof for the reindeer.
Jingle Bridge
Decorations on the Fly With the Reindeer.
The Camp Notices board features pictures of the elves.
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.
The Country Bears are part of the Festival with a Meet and Greet. Wendell out greeting guests when I walked by.
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!)
Mostly Kosher is one of seven groups performing as part of Festival of Holidays on Friday. They were at the Sonoma Terrace
RAISE is performing at the Pacific Wharf Stage during Festival of Holidays.
Blue13 Dance Company is performing in Paradise Park.
Here’s Princess Elena arriving.
A couple video clips of Princess Elena’s Musical Grand Arrival.
Near the finale, kids are invited up to be part of the show.
After eating, I found a spot for Viva Navidad!
The show is the same as last year… which is great!
One change is the updated Mickey and Minnie characters this year.
Minnie Mouse
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.
A video of the Buena Vista Street Holiday Tree Lighting (which happens at 4:55pm nightly).
Stopped by for a second Viva Navidad! — this time under the lights with a better view.
Video clip from the finale of Viva Navidad!
Paint the Night has returned for a holiday run.
Here’s a video clip of the Toy Story section of Paint the Night.
Looking back toward Town Square.
The Partners Statue and Sleeping Beauty Castle
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Sleeping Beauty Castle
Ready for the Winter Castle Transformation. After the transformation the snow is lit.
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.
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).
Back to Main Street USA
A video of the second transformation of Sleeping Beauty’s Winter Castle.
Believe in Holiday Magic has returned this year.
This year, projections on the castle were used throughout the show.
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:
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.
