Disneyland Christmas Top 10 list 2012

Tis the season for Christmas, Disneyland and top 10 lists.  So it makes sense to put them all together for Fresh Baked’s Disneyland Christmas Top 10 list!  So without further ado, here we goooooooooooooooo.

No. 10 – Buena Vista Street Tree

The Disneyland tree at Town Square has some serious competition this year with the tree in California Adventure.  Physically, the DCA tree is not as tall as the Disneyland tree, though it is still quite tall.  But I believe it improves upon the Disneyland tree in the decorations and the scene under the tree with the presents and the train.  The gifts are cool, including a classic wooden toy mickey, gingerbread house and gingerbread man.  And the train blows steam!  And where the Disneyland tree makes use of more traditional, non-Disney related items (such as a violin or a ringing bell), the DCA tree decorations are more Disney specific.  I personally prefer this, and especially like the DCA specific items like the red car trolley with Mickey at the wheel.

See Also: Buena Vista Street Christmas

No. 9 – Buena Vista Street Santa Meet

Main Street also has some competition with Buena Vista Street.  Buena Vista Street is decked out for Christmas with Poinsettias, garland, and lights.  There are also some wonderful Christmas scenes in the window displays in the shops along the street.  The stores are very well appointed, with the standouts being the Julius Katz, and sons and Elias and Co.  Elias and Co. is especially awesome with the opportunity to meet Santa and his elves.  It’s a setting that is reminiscent of a Macy’s department store meet.  And I don’t mind telling you, the elves are awesome

No. 8 – Cars Land Christmas

California Adventure isn’t done yet, because this year we get a Cars Land Christmas.  Each individual area has its own Christmas theme, which makes for a varied and interesting experience.  Fillmore’s has a rusted metal tree.  Sarge’s has a tree topped with a giant military….thing.  And the Cozy Cones is still very orange, including its trees and decorations.  And throughout the land you’ll find oil filter garland and tire wreaths.  It’s perfectly designed, keeping the Christmas spirit while keeping with the Cars theme as well.

See Also: Cars Land Christmas

No. 7 – Jingle Jangle Jamboree

The Jingle Jangle Jamboree is a fairly new attraction at the park, at least in its present location, behind the petting zoo in Frontierland.  In the past, one could visit this area and meet Santa in his house, along with a few reindeer and some wonderful western Christmas decorations.  This year though, they have opened up the area behind the zoo and put on one heck of a show.  Here you can meet Santa and Mrs. Claus.  You can also catch a Christmas themed Billie Hill show, make your own Christmas cookies, play games, or meet a character in their Christmas outfits.  My favorite was goofy in a Santa suit.  This is one area that you MUST visit if getting filled up with the Christmas spirit is on your list.

See Also: Jingle Jangle Jamboree

No. 6 – The Disneyland Christmas Parade

Disneyland is famous for their parades.  Some are better than others, but one parade never fails.  The Disneyland Christmas parade is just about as awesome as you can imagine a parade can be.  It comes complete with Santa Claus, toy soldiers, elves, presents and your favorite Disney characters in their best holiday outfits.

See Also: The Disneyland Christmas Parade

No. 5 – Main Street and merchandise

Leaving Town Square, the sights just get better and better.  One of my favorite visuals at Disneyland during Christmas is the sight of the many strings of garland stretched over the street from one curb to the other.  With the right perspective, it’s a wondrous sight.  I like to see it from the top of Main Street, looking back toward the tree.   Again, best seen at night, but you get your money’s worth any time of day.

No. 4 – The Christmas Tree and Town Square

This is where it all begins when you enter the park, and sets the stage for the rest of your Christmas season visit.  Town Square itself is nicely dressed, with poinsettias, garland, and Christmas lights.  The tree at the peak of Town Square is a true sight to behold.  It’s a towering symbol of the Christmas season with traditional ornaments and trimming, and Christmas presents at its base.  It’s a great picture spot, but if you want to get a good shot you better either get there early or be prepared for 2 dozen other guests trying to get a picture at the same moment you are.  This area is beautiful all day, but best seen at night.

See also: Disneyland Christmas

No. 3 – Nightmare before Christmas

Every year, starting just before Halloween, the Haunted Mansion is redesigned to incorporate the visually stunning Nightmare before Christmas overlay.  The traditional visuals are replaced with a gingerbread house, zero the dog, Jack Skellington, and all of his scary friends.  It’s a break from tradition, to be sure, but one cannot discount the talent of those putting on the show.  It’s a treat for the eyes and a ton of fun!

See Also: Haunted Nightmare Ride Through

No. 2 – It’s a Small World

Have you ever seen National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation?  If so, you’ll remember the scene where Griswold finally gets the lights to go on.  There are so many lights, and it’s so bright and powerful that it blinds the neighbors and shorts out the rest of the neighborhood.  This is what I think of whenever I see the façade of It’s a Small World at Christmas.  In a word, it’s bright.

It’s a kaleidoscope of color and light. No edge is left unlit.  No animal shaped topiary ignored.  And it’s spectacular.  If you decide to go for a ride, the children and set pieces are given the Christmas treatment as well, including a blindingly bright finale that I found impossible to photograph!  For a ride that is already filled with magic and good will, the Christmas makeover puts you in joy override.

See also: Small World Ride Through

No. 1 – The Castle

No secret here, Sleeping Beauty’s Castle during Christmas draws everyone’s attention.  The decorations are traditional and beautiful, but it’s the lights that really make the castle shine.  Disneyland is not conservative with the icicle lights, and when on full display at night, it’s a shining beacon to every guest in the park.  If you can get one, it’s one of the best photos in the park.

How moving is Sleeping Beauty’s Castle?  The lighting of the castle is an attraction in itself, with crowds standing by, waiting to catch a photo or some video of the transformation from a beautifully decorated, well lit castle into a majestic, breathtaking tribute to the Christmas season.

Disneyland Christmas Top 10 list

And there you have it.  Disneyland Christmas Top 10 list according to your friends here at Fresh Baked Disney.  As we’re fond of saying here, don’t let the crowds discourage you or prevent you from enjoying Disneyland.  Let Disneyland be there for you, and the experience becomes so much better.  This is especially true for Disneyland during Christmas.  Take this list and enjoy and you’ll have the time of your life.