It’s the most wonderful time of the year at the Happiest Place on Earth. You might think Disneyland doesn’t get more magical than lights all aglow on Sleeping Beauty Castle as “snowflakes” fall over Main Street, USA, but the end of this year’s holiday season will also herald Disney’s biggest milestone celebration yet — the Walt Disney Company’s 100th anniversary.
But first, all is merry and bright throughout the Disneyland Resort now through January 8. At Disneyland Park, a shimmering 60-foot Christmas tree and characters in their holiday best set the stage for festive entertainment like “A Christmas Fantasy” Parade and “Believe… in Holiday Magic” fireworks. Iconic attractions get seasonal overlays for limited-time experiences — “it’s a small world” Holiday puts a jolly spin on the 1966 classic and Haunted Mansion Holiday puts a “Nightmare Before Christmas”-themed overlay on the ghoulish can’t-miss ride.
Across the esplanade at Disney California Adventure park, Disney Festival of Holidays is a global celebration of diverse holidays and traditions, including Christmas/Navidad, Diwali, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and Three Kings Day. The crown jewel is the Disney ¡Viva Navidad! Street Party — Mexican folklórico dancers and Mariachis, Brazilian samba dancers and percussionists, and giant mojiganga puppets are joined by Mickey, Minnie and “The Three Caballeros” in this exuberant fiesta. Holiday nighttime spectacular “World of Color – Season of Light,” pop-up marketplaces serving festive foods and drinks from around the world, seasonal ride transformations in Cars Land, and a Santa Claus meet-and-greet at the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail round out the park’s yuletide festivities.
Launching January 27, 2023, Disney 100 Years of Wonder will be the largest cross-company global celebration in the 100-year history of The Walt Disney Company, and Disneyland will be home to “the heart” of the entire celebration, Disney Parks, Experiences and Products Chairman Josh D’Amaro announced at D23 Expo in September.
To kick off the party, the entire resort will get bedecked in platinum decor, and two new nighttime spectaculars will debut: “World of Color – One” at Disney California Adventure park and “Wondrous Journeys” at Disneyland park. Ahead of the spring 2023 opening of a reimagined Mickey’s Toontown at Disneyland park, the land’s new attraction, Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, will open on January 27 as part of the launch of Disney100, introducing the West Coast to the all-ages ride that’s already a fan-favorite at Walt Disney World in Orlando.
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