Christmas at The Happiest Place on Earth
Christmas is my very favorite time of the year. It's a time to celebrate and reflect, spend time with family and if you're like me, visit The Happiest Place on Earth...Disneyland.
Last week, my best friend and I went to Disneyland to start the holidays with lots of cheer and magic. We got to Disneyland a bit later than expected (because traffic, duh) and I had to renew my season pass. But, once we were in, we dropped our worries at the door and entered the land of fairytales and Christmas miracles. Okay, maybe not Christmas miracles, but you catch my drift.
Since we both have season passes, we don't feel the need to rush from ride to ride. We can shop, try new treats, walk around, listen to the musical groups and take the time to appreciate it. We rode our favorite rides -- Thunder Mountain, Space Mountain, Pirates of the Caribbean and a few others, and spent a lot of time walking around and taking it all in. Sometimes it's nice to just hang out on Main Street or California Adventures.
If you're going for the holidays, here are a few tips or things you should try:
Always buy the Mickey (or Minnie) ears.
No trip to Disney is complete without these little beauties. It dresses up any outfit and shows off a little of your personality at the same time.
Get matching shirts
It's fun, it's dorky and just the right amount of 'extra' that is necessary for a trip to Disney with your best friend(s) or whoever you might be there with. Plus, it makes Instagram pictures extra cute and festive. We bought these on Main Street when we first walked in. We had another matching shirt that we always think to wear, but I can't find mine...So, new shirts it is!
Try the overpriced holiday food, including Mickey Beignets
Disney has really stepped up their game with their food, between the macarons, donuts, caramel apples and more throughout the year. When Christmas comes to town, it just becomes even more magical. I tried the peppermint Mickey beignets at one of the restaurants in New Orleans Square (just around the corner) from Pirates of the Caribbean. They were hot and doughy and melted in your mouth. While the powdered sugar was a bit crumbly and didn't stay on as well, it was still tasty. But, eat them right when you get them, as they will not stay fresh later on. I also brought my dad home a Santa Mickey rice crispy treat and a winter themed caramel apple for my mom and I to split, since they're so filling, at Marceline's Confectionary at the Downtown Disney District.
Get a picture in front of the castle at night
While the castle is magical at all times, nighttime just brings a whole other level of wonder and excitement. I could have stood in front of the castle the rest of our time there. LOOK HOW PRETTY IT IS! The glow really gives some nice pictures, too.
Christmas Fantasy Parade
I didn't get a chance to watch last week, but it's probably my favorite parade of the year. You get to see all of your favorite characters, plus a few extras, like the reindeer, toy soldiers, and more. It always takes me back to this Disney Christmas video that I used to watch daily when I was growing up. It's all of the childhood memories wrapped up in one. And you get to see Santa Claus! What could be more exciting than that?
Believe in Holiday Magic Fireworks Show
We didn't stay for the fireworks since we both had to work the next morning and it's a long drive back to town. But, again, Disney knows how to do just about everything right. I watched it a couple times last year and it was fantastic - reds, greens and golds light up the night sky, while Christmas graphics dance along the buildings on Main Street, USA. After the show ends, if you stand along the street, you'll also feel the snow flurries completing the Christmas experience.
Walk Main Street at night
I know I keep using the word magical...But, is there anything else to describe how beautiful the trees and lights are??
Small World at night
Even if you ride It's a Small World during the day, you have to go back at night to see the thousands of lights lit up on the outside. Plus, every 30 minutes or so, there's a show and Christmas tunes synchronized with it. Also, the ride is usually longer at night...So you're safer to ride in the day.
After our full day at the parks, we walked through Downtown Disney to get our last minute souvenirs and headed home.
One of these years, I'd like to go to Disneyland for the performance tapings of the Disney Christmas Parade. I missed it by a day this year and also missed seeing Lin Manuel Miranda around the parks, too. But, we did see the stage setup in front of the castle, so that was exciting.
We had another wonderful trip of being kids for the day and pretending that we didn't have to, but as we drove back into town, reality set in. But, I'm sure we'll be seeing Disneyland again real soon.
That's all for now,
Shelby