The holidays are in full swing at our parks around the world, with themed decorations, fun surprises, new experiences and long-time traditions ready to greet our guests. Cast members have been planning for months as we continue to create memorable experiences in creative — and festive — ways.
With Disney destinations all over the world, the holidays have truly become a global celebration.
At Disneyland Paris, the Town Square Christmas tree is quite a sight with 850 decorations, but this year’s highlight is a new Christmas Cavalcade parade that features toys from Santa’s workshop that dance down Main Street, U.S.A.
Hong Kong Disneyland welcomes guests this year to Disney’s Sparkling Christmas featuring themed food and festive holiday décor throughout the park and at the resort’s two hotels. At Santa Mickey’s Toy-riffic Street Party, classic toys come to life and invite guests to join in the fun along Main Street, U.S.A. – Christmas Town.
At Tokyo Disneyland park, parade floats are decked out for Disney’s Santa Village Parade and the plaza in front of Cinderella Castle is filled with decorations and fun holiday photo spots. Mediterranean Harbor at Tokyo DisneySea park offers a new show, “Colors of Christmas,” where floating Christmas trees and colorful fireworks light up the harbor.
Meanwhile, here in the US, a combination of new and classic traditions can be found throughout Disney destinations – from our theme parks to Disney Cruise Line and Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa, Ko Olina, Hawai`i.
At Disneyland park, favorite traditions are back, and at the newly expanded Disney California Adventure, there is a 50-foot Christmas tree with vintage-style ornaments reminiscent of the 1920s theming on Buena Vista Street. And over at Radiator Springs in Cars Land, Christmas trees are made of traffic cones and there’s even a “snowcar,” – Radiator Springs’ version of a snowman.
A true winter wonderland comes to life at Walt Disney World Resort, with its 1,300 decorated trees, 8.5 million lights and 15 miles of garland. Magic Kingdom park is at the heart of it all where Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party takes place, and at Epcot, 13 storytellers from different countries share their homeland’s stories and seasonal celebrations throughout World Showcase.
Guests at Disney Cruise Line celebrate the holidays at sea and on land. The holidays take on a tropical flair at Castaway Cay in the Bahamas with special decor, character meet-and-greets and “snow flurries.” On the ships, storytellers share tales of Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa, and families enjoy traditional holiday feasts.
Finally, at Aulani, the resort’s own Aunty and Uncle are hosting holiday festivities for guests to enjoy. Disney friends dress for the holidays at Aunty’s Character Breakfast celebration, and during Mo’olelo Fire Pit Storytelling, Uncle shares some of his Hawaiian holiday stories that celebrate the Makahiki season, the annual Hawaiian harvest honoring the season of bounty and peace.
Tell us about your holiday memories and traditions at Disney Parks and Resorts in the comments section.