Disney Christmas magic

Although it was a grey, dreary weekend in the valley, the powder-sugared hills signalled the imminent arrival of the holiday season. 

My eight year old granddaughter, Monet, still fervently believes that there is one ‘magic’ Santa who enlists the help of numerous lookalikes to spread Christmas cheer throughout the shopping malls of the world. 

Would you like to preserve that childish innocence in your youngsters? Consider celebrating the season at ‘The World’s Happiest Place’, Disneyland.

Try to visit Disneyland within the first two weeks of December, because once the kids get out of school during the third week, the crowd ratio is impossible. 

Special Christmas events and showcases run from November 13 until January 6. The spectacle is even greater this year, as Disney celebrates their 60th anniversary.

Disneyland goes all out at Christmastime, especially on two of its classic rides. It’s A Small World is exuberantly decorated with lights, icicles, and snowmen, and has a Christmas music track which should help get the original song out of your head. 

The Haunted Mansion is another ride sporting a Christmas makeover. The theme is based on the Tim Burton film, A Nightmare Before Christmas, with decorations throughout the ride.  

The Town Square at the end of Main Street has a 60-foot tree trimmed with thousands of lights and ornaments, and Sleeping Beauty’s Castle sports snow-covered turrets and more than 80,000 lights. Holiday Attractions at Disneyland

New this year, Disney has installed a beautiful ice skating rink based on the film Frozen in Downtown Disney. Surrounded by festive snow-covered pine trees, refreshment stalls, twinkling lights, and garlands, this area is the spot for that perfect family Christmas photo op. Open from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m., the rink offers skate rentals, and rates for both adults and children.

If you need a quiet retreat during your visit, consider dropping by one of the Disney resorts.  Their lobbies are beautifully decorated, and the Disneyland Resort Carollers perform in each of the three hotels.

The little ones can visit Santa in Frontierland at the Big Thunder Ranch, or take in the Christmas Fantasy Parade along Main Street, with the big man himself playing Parade Marshall.

Disneyland is especially magical in the evenings during the holiday season. The World of Colour light show in California Adventure Park becomes the World of Colour Winter Dreams. Disney has created the new Disneyland Forever fireworks show for it, in honour of the 60th birthday. The show incorporates LED technology, pyrotechnics, and new music, as well as a Christmas snowfall on Main Street. Disneyland Forever Fireworks

An absolute classic at Disneyland is the handmade candy cane. Three batches of 40 candy canes are made daily. Special wristbands are handed out each morning to the first 120 guests at the parks. Candy Cane Dates are as follows: Candy Cane Dates 2015

Tips for visiting Disneyland at Christmas:

• Buy your tickets in advance to avoid waiting in line to purchase.

• Use Ridemax to avoid long line-ups at the popular rides.

• Want to take the special Holiday Time Tour? Book at least a month in advance: 714-781-4400.

• Make an itinerary and stick to it. Go to the Disney website, check the times and locations of the shows and parades, and make a plan.

Flights, accommodations, and special Canadian Resident Rates are still available for the 2015 season. 

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.