New entertainment, cherished favorites bring holidays to life

When it comes to celebrating the magic and sparkle of the holidays with friends and loved ones, there’s no place like the Disneyland Resort where, from November 13 through January 3, 2010, the holidays will shine more brightly than ever.

Guests will enjoy the return of the Disneyland Resort’s most popular offerings, including special holiday versions of “it’s a small world” and Haunted Mansion, along with colorful holiday décor and a nightly snowfall on Main Street, U.S.A.

Other holiday highlights at Disneyland will include the traditional snowdrifts and icicles adorning Sleeping Beauty’s Winter Castle. After dark a sensational holiday lighting and special effects show will carry the magic of the holidays from the Castle all the way to the Christmas Tree in Town Square. The Disneyland Christmas Tree is specially designed to present a nightly holiday light show like no other with more than 62,000 energy-efficient LED lights.

The Sleeping Beauty’s Winter Castle presentation unfolds throughout the evening in three acts, each of them featuring a touch of winter snow on Main Street, U.S.A. The finale of the show includes the legendary “Believe … in Holiday Magic” fireworks show, which takes guests on a journey of sights and sounds of the season and ends with a touching rendition of “White Christmas” along with a climactic snowfall swirling down on Main Street, U.S.A., “it’s a small world” Mall and New Orleans Square.

Themed entertainment, sparkling decorations and tasty treats add festive warmth to holiday fun at both Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure. Guests will also be able to book guided holiday tours that provide entry into the “it’s a small world” holiday and Haunted Mansion Holiday, reserved seating for the Disneyland “A Christmas Fantasy” parade, a keepsake remembrance, and entertaining information about the history behind Disneyland holiday traditions. For information and reservations guests can visit Disneyland City Hall or call (714) 781-4400.

Other returning holiday favorites at Disneyland park include:

“it’s a small world” holiday transforms “it’s a small world” into a worldwide celebration of the season, boasting more than 300,000 glittering lights on its facade.

Haunted Mansion Holiday presents a madcap celebration as the traditions of Halloween and Christmas collide. The ghoulish but well-meaning Jack Skellington from the film Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas has come to the Haunted Mansion to transform it with his skewed vision of the holidays.

“A Christmas Fantasy” parade will be presented daily, November 13 through January 3, on Main Street, U.S.A. This ever-popular procession depicts an enchanting collection of holiday scenes, music and a cast of Disney characters and performers in Yuletide vignettes.

Santa Claus and his reindeer will return to greet Disneyland guests in Frontierland at Big Thunder Ranch. Kids and their families will chat with St. Nick and see real reindeer grazing in a corral.

Disney’s California Adventure celebrates the season with fanciful park-wide decorations and lively entertainment.

Guests approaching the park will immediately get in the holiday mood as they encounter the iconic “CALIFORNIA” letters transformed to appear as swirling red and white peppermint sticks.

“a bug’s land” transforms as Flik and his bug buddies spread giant Christmas lights and oversized ornaments throughout their realm.

The holiday scene along the Paradise Bay boardwalk includes a beautifully decorated Christmas tree and lampposts decorated with seasonal wreaths.

The ever-popular “Disney’s Electrical Parade” will be presented nightly at the height of the holiday season, December 18 through January 3, 2010.

Additional new and continuing shows and attractions at Disneyland Resort:

“Tiana’s Showboat Jubilee,” which begins daily performances November 6 in New Orleans Square in Disneyland, will be a rousing, colorful show with a jazz-filled holiday celebration vibe. It will begin as guests are invited to join a Mardi Gras-style cavalcade in New Orleans Square. The cavalcade will lead guests to the waterfront where Princess Tiana and other “Princess and the Frog” characters will board the Mark Twain Riverboat. The boat will then take to the river where Tiana and company will entertain guests on shore with a musical show including songs from the motion picture.

In Disney’s California Adventure, the “Pixar Play Parade” is complemented by performances of the energetic, traveling rock and dance concert show, “High School Musical 3: Senior Year – Right Here! Right Now!”

In the Blue Sky Cellar at Golden Vine Winery, the Imagineers’ workshop offers guests a preview of new attractions coming to Disney’s California Adventure over the next few years.

Guests along Paradise Pier in Disney’s California Adventure will also enjoy such new and refreshed attractions as Toy Story Mania, Mickey’s Fun Wheel and the Games of the Boardwalk.

At Disneyland in December, guests will explore the newly relocated Disney Gallery on Town Square, Main Street, U.S.A. Next door, The Disneyland Story featuring Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln is scheduled to reopen in late December with new technology and an enhanced presentation.

The Downtown Disney district and the Disneyland Resort hotels will join in the merriment with twinkling lights and ornaments, special entertainment and holiday dining. Expanded hours at both Disneyland Resort theme parks will extend the holiday fun. For more information about holidays at the Disneyland Resort, visit www.disneyland.com/holidays.

Disneyland Resort features two fantastic theme parks – Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure park – plus the Downtown Disney District comprised of unique dining, entertainment and shopping experiences. The Resort’s three guest-welcoming hotels are the luxurious 945-room Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, the magical 988-room Disneyland Hotel and the «day-at-the-beach» fun of the 489-room Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel. For information on new attractions, “What Will You Celebrate?” and vacations at Disneyland Resort visit www.disneyland.com, call (866) 60-DISNEY or contact local travel agents.