Frozen's Elsa, Anna, Atticus, and Zane
Holidays Theme Parks Travel

The Happiest Holidays on Earth: The Disneyland Resort

There is a very short list of perfect duos in this world. You have the haunting melancholy of Simon and Garfunkel, the timeless innocence of Calvin and Hobbes, and the crustless wonder of peanut butter and jelly—that’s about it (although one could make the argument for Montana and Rice). After that it is a slippery slope through the likes of Wham and the Smothers Brothers until you find yourself watching reruns of Franklin and Bash with a gallon of ice cream and a pound of regret. It is so much better at the top.

And yet there is something higher, just past Garfunkel’s head and the second star to the right, there is an echo of stirring and it sounds like a mouse. I’m talking about Christmas at the Disneyland Resort, folks, and it is as good as it gets.

Here’s a look at Cars Land:

Cars Land Holidays
Disney California Adventure Holidays
Cars Land Holiday Decorations
Disneyland Fireworks from Cars Land
Tow Mater Xmas

It starts with the decorations (see above), the entire Disneyland Resort, from hotels to theme parks to the stretch of Downtown Disney that lies between, every corner is lit and wrapped in bells and holly. There are songs for the singing and joy for the sharing. It is Disney magic turned to 11 and it spreads on smiles and scents of peppermint.

There are attractions and rides transformed to fit the season, countless holiday-themed items that feature your favorite Disney characters in full holiday swing, and endless treats of festive food that will leave you stuffed with sweetness and wanting for more.

Disney Holidays Jingle Cruise
Disney Holidays Jingle Cruise Decorations
Santa's Disney Decorations
Disneyland Resort Christmas Sleigh
It's a small world for the holidays
Disneyland Olaf and Baymax treats

We were fortunate enough to stay in the Grand Californian Hotel and in addition to the majestic tree in the center of the lobby there was also an amazing giant handmade gingerbread creation—a replica of the very hotel we were standing in. Please note, we were not inside the gingerbread version (I looked).

Disneyland Resort Gingerbread House Recipe
Disneyland Resort Gingerbread Hotel
Disney's Grand Californian Hotel Gingerbread Hotel

It is hard to say which part of the Disneyland Resort is more festive during the holidays, there are so many choices; however, the Frozen-themed ice rink in Downtown Disney, the holiday fireworks (followed by snow!), the wonderful World of Color show, and the holiday parade are probably our family favorites.

The Frozen float in Disneyland's holiday parade
Woody rides in Disneyland's holiday parade
Mickey Mouse with Duffy and Donald
Santa Claus in the Disneyland Holiday Parade
Frozen ice rink in Downtown Disney

The point is, if you think Hope and Crosby own the market on holiday magic then you haven’t seen the happiness created by Mickey and Santa—and you really should. You really, really should.

And soon.

Disney Holidays - Ice sculpture of Disneyland castle

We were guests of Disneyland Resort, which included one night at the Grand Californian Hotel & Spa as well as a great dinner at the Storytellers Cafe (our choice) and a private #DisneyHoliays party to experience all of the treats. All opinions are our own.

Photos by Whit and Tricia Honea.

Whit
Whit Honea is the author of “The Parents’ Phrase Book” and co-founder of the philanthropic organization Dads 4 Change. He is the Social Media Director/Community Manager of the Dad 2.0 Summit. His writing can be found at Fandango, GeekDad, Disney, Today, Good Housekeeping, City Dads Group, Stand Magazine, The Washington Post and several other popular publications. He previously covered travel for Orbitz, CBS and AOL, and served as Editor of Family Travel for UpTake. Deemed “the activist dad” by UpWorthy and one of the “funniest dads on Twitter” by Mashable, Whit has been nominated for the Pushcart Prize and is the 2015 winner of the Iris Award for Best Writing.
https://whithonea.com

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