The Mouse is always stirring at Disneyland and this time of year it's Christmas magic that he's worked on for you and me. Disneyland always tends to feel like home but there's nothing quite like the feeling of being home for the holidays. The bright, warm glow of Christmas lights along a street with all sorts of delightful gifts and delicious goodies; a towering tree that proudly proclaims "Christmas is here"... these elements are at the heart of what makes Christmas special and feel so different from other times of the year. I can't imagine a better place to find that feeling than Main Street or a better host to watch over things than the Mouse who started it all.
Santa's got toys all over Big Thunder Ranch during his Reindeer Roundup. I'm sure it makes him feel a little more at home in warm Southern California while away from the North Pole. All of these vintage toys add up to make a magical toyland with cars and dolls and teddy bears so fluffy you may just need to hug one. These charming toys take me straight back to my childhood when all it took was a teddy bear to make my Christmas dreams come true. I hope this picture recalls some fond memories for you.
Leaving Fantasyland is almost as impressive as entering it. All thanks to Sleeping Beauty Castle of course. In the distance stands the elegance of Christmas on Main Street. You wouldn't think, but the contrast of a wintery fantasy and a quaint 20th century town do very nice together during Christmas. I love this spot, and I love walking through to this different world during Christmas time!
Christmas is just around the corner and it seems that I'm not the only one looking forward to it. Week after week there are loads of guests making their way around Disneyland to get a glimpse of all its splendor. Whether it be snow falling of Main Street, the Castle lighting, candy canes being made by hand or It's a Small World lighting up the night, Disneyland has so much to offer. I'm grateful to be able to enjoy it alongside so many other people wrapped up in the Christmas spirit.
When two holidays collide we are left with the Pumpkin King visiting us on Christmas Eve and it won't be pie that he's bringing. But who can really blame Jack for being drawn to the warmth and splendor of Christmas? It's enough to warm anyone's bones, even if we can't quite put our finger on why.
We hope you all are having a wonderful holiday season! We put together a little video to update you all on our 12 Days of Christmas Giveaway taking place on our Facebook page. The giveaway is going way better than we could have anticipated and we want to thank you all for being part of it!
Daily Photo Tour - A Majestic Sleeping Beauty Christmas
To stand before something so impressive, and so splendid may leave one speechless and in awe. I know no other place in the world where I see this upon the faces of almost everyone who stands before Sleeping Beauty Castle during Christmas. Coming around the corner from almost any land, and especially the entrance, you feel a sense of elegance and charm. There is just something about Sleeping Beauty Castle during Christmas that warms the heart, and inspires us all.
Thank you all so much for participating in our 12 Days Giveaway. We are overwhelmed by your support and interest and grateful to have such wonderful people following us. Please make sure to comment on the 12 Days of Christmas tab on the left side of our Facebook page to enter if you haven't already or your Facebook activities won't be counted. Also please make sure that if you click share on one of our Facebook posts that you set it to be public so that we can keep track (there is an option to do this by clicking the settings icon that looks like a gear). We'll be announcing our first winner later today!
Daily Photo Tour - O Christmas Tree
A Christmas Tree. It's almost all you need alongside your family to celebrate the holidays. They come in every shape and size from Charlie Brown's humble offering to a towering Martha Stewart style masterpiece. One thing is for sure though, you never forget the Christmas trees from your childhood. If you're like me, you loved to help decorate. And my mom is a very talented and crafty woman who taught me all kinds of ways to make a tree beautiful and get fancy with ribbon. What she taught me and the memories of what the trees she decorated were when I was a child have stuck with me and I think of them and of her when I decorate my own now. Cherished memories are the best part of Christmas time. What memories does a Christmas tree bring back for you?
It's December 14th and that can only mean one thing - there's just 12 days left until Christmas and it's time for your Tour Guides to give away some prints! Today is the first day of our giveaway so make sure you've entered your name in the comments section of our 12 Days of Christmas tab on Facebook to enter and take a minute to read the rules if you haven't already.
Daily Photo Tour - The Warm Glow Beneath Winter's Castle
The front of Sleeping Beauty Castle gets most of the love most of the time and Christmas is no exception. I'm not really sure why either, because the backside is beautifully adorned in Christmas splendor too. As I stood, however, trying to take this picture, countless flashes went off from folks taking pictures of the opposite side. I like to think of those moments as a duel and see who can wait it out longer to get a shot. Of course, that's probably just me being a little crazy. Nevertheless, I usually outlast my competition. I think my favorite thing about this perspective is the contrast you get between the icy top of the castle and the warm glow beneath it. It lends a welcoming feeling to the fact that Winter is just around the corner.
Wishing a merry Christmas season, your Tour Guides would like to announce a 12 days of Christmas contest. Take a look at this video for an overview of this giveaway that will feature prints of our pictures and a fine art canvas as prizes. A tab titled "12 Days of Christmas" will go live on our Facebook page between now and Wednesday with all the details and a comment section to enter our giveaway. Hope you guys are as excited as we are!
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