I used to know when the Christmas season was upon us when a former colleague of mine, Mason Handley, would do his unique rendition of “Christmas Time Is Here” from the Peanuts holiday television specials.

As wonderful as Mason’s interpretation was, nothing screams CHRISTMAS more than the goings on at Disneyland and Walt Disney World this time of year.

We’ve been fortunate to have been at both Disney resorts during the holidays in recent years. And to put it bluntly, there’s no better time to visit either venue.

There’s a chill in the air, even in usually steamy central Florida. Shorts and T-shirts are out, while sweatshirts (preferably with a Disney theme), warm woolen hats and scarfs are in. Icy cold drinks ae switched out in favor of hot beverages.

The parks themselves are decked out in all the holiday finery. Christmas wreaths … poinsettias … beautifully decorated pine trees … colorful, twinkling lights.

Each resort, be it Disneyland or Walt Disney World, has its own unique way of ramping up the Christmas spirit … and that’s over and above the special ticketed Very Merry Christmas parties and the Candlelight processionals.

In Disneyland, for instance, several attractions see special holiday makeovers and seasonal additions, making their time-tested shows even more enjoyable.

The Haunted Mansion in New Orleans Square takes on an entirely different persona with its Nightmare Before Christmas overlay. Many of the 999 happy haunts step aside to make room for the likes of Jack Skellington, Oogie Boogie, Sally and the dog Zero.

The chaos they bring runs from September into early January.

Over in Fantasyland, it’s a small world’s overlay is spectacular. As guests approach the attraction, they are blown away by the fantastic light display that adorns the exterior of the show building and the surrounding landscape.

Inside, the attraction takes Christmas to an entirely new level. The already colorful sets are enhanced with spectacular additions, such as tall candles, Christmas trees, snowmen and giant snowflakes.

Even many of the dolls’ costumes are switched out to reflect each country’s traditional holiday garb.

There’s Santa’s sleigh and his reindeer flying over a Ho Ho Holidays sign. There’s even a display where the reindeer are celebrated with their own displays.

Wreaths and elves and seasonal signage hang from the ceiling for the duration of the ride, while classic holiday songs – including “Deck the Halls” and “Jingle Bells” – are intertwined with the iconic it’s a small world theme.

We enjoyed it so much during a visit there in early January, that we rode it again … and again!

During Disneyland’s night-time holiday-themed parade, majestic Matterhorn Mountain is transformed into an artist’s palette of color as holiday-themed projections are splashed onto the side of the peak.

In Walt Disney World, much like Disneyland, the Christmas season kicks off right after Halloween.

The Magic Kingdom is the first to undergo the transformation, in large part because the special ticketed Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party kicks off in early November.

A massive Christmas tree, guarded by six-foot tall wooden soldier nutcrackers, adorns Town Square, and Main Street USA is all decked out with boughs of holly and assorted other holiday accoutrements.

And soon after the Magic Kingdom makeover, the other three parks join in the fun. Themed Christmas trees make their appearance near the entrances and holiday touches abound inside the parks.

The WDW resorts take on their own special ambiance. Christmas trees spring up in most of the hotel lobbies, the most noteworthy appearing in the Grand Floridian Resort and Animal Kingdom Jambo House entrances.

Smaller displays are no less spectacular in other resorts. For instance, the lobby of the Yacht Club resort features holiday-themed dioramas that are exquisite in charm and detail.

Even the Disney Cruise Line gets into the holiday swing of things.  Don’t be surprised to see gingerbread-themed houses sprouting up in all of the cruise line’s grand atriums … the perfect place to pose for special holiday photos.

Not to be outdone, the Disney Springs shopping/dining/entertainment district has its own special celebration.

It’s called The Christmas Tree Stroll. Guests can pick up a map to find out where each tree – there are 19 scattered around the property this year.

Each tree is themed after a beloved Disney movie or character. Some of them are interactive for guests with MagicBand+.

The stroll trees join the giant, classic trees located in Disney Springs’ Town Center and the one located between the Earl of Sandwich and the Once Upon a Toy store.

Any way you slice it, it’s the most wonderful time of the year in Disney’s theme parks.

Chuck Schmidt is an award-winning journalist and retired Disney cast member who has covered all things Disney since 1984 in both print and on-line. He has authored or co-authored eight books on Disney, including his On the Disney Beat and The Beat Goes On, as well as his latest, Marty, Mickey and Me, all for Theme Park Press. He has written a regular blog for AllEars.Net, called Still Goofy About Disney, since 2015.

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