The Christmas holiday season kicked off today at theme parks across America.
After disembarking from the Disney Destiny in Fort Lauderdale yesterday morning, I flew across the country for the start of Holidays at the Disneyland Resort today. Unfortunately, a major wave of rain also is starting in Southern California today, leading to a very rainy day at Disneyland.
The post-lockdown reservation system has put an end to the days of rain completely clearing out the parks. Especially on the first day of the Holiday celebrations, once people make reservations, they use them - rain or shine. In addition to the holiday decorations and character costumes, here are this year's returning holiday attractions and entertainment at the Disneyland Resort. I also have included links to videos of previous year's performances. (Note that rain and inclement weather may cancel outdoor entertainment.)
At Disneyland:
At Disney California Adventure:
Theme park holiday celebrations also kicked off officially today in Florida, with the Jingle Cruise attraction overlay and Cinderella Castle Frozen Holiday Surprise at Magic Kingdom, the Hollywood Tower Hotel Sunset Seasons Greetings at Disney's Hollywood Studios, and Tree of Life Awakenings Holiday Edition at Disney's Animal Kingdom. At EPCOT, the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays will start November 28.
Walt Disney World's biggest holiday celebrations happen in its two after-hours hard-ticket parties, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom and Disney Jollywood Nights at Hollywood Studios, both which kicked off last week. For more on what's happening in Orlando, please see our previous post, How to spend the holidays at Walt Disney World.
In Orlando, SeaWorld is opening its new Clyde & Seamore’s Countdown to Christmas show, along with welcoming back its Winter Wonderland on Ice, Holiday Reflections and O Wondrous Night shows, as well as its Sea of Trees light display.
In San Diego, the park is also debuting a new Clyde & Seamore show, along with the Jingle Squad musical trio and Toymaker Trouble with Mrs. Claus and the Elves show. A Stocking Full of Soul, Happy Harbor Holiday, Donner and Blitzen’s Lazer Light Show, and Mrs. Claus' Christmas Parade also return for this year's celebration.
And in San Antonio, which officially started its celebration last night, the O Wondrous Night and Clyde & Seamore holiday shows return, joining Merry Mariachis and the new RhythMotion Christmas Parade.
Meet and greets with Santa and real reindeer as well as with Rudolph and other SeaWorld characters will be available at all three parks.
The Six Flags theme parks kick off their holiday celebrations starting tomorrow with the return of WinterFest at Canada’s Wonderland. Here are the start dates for celebrations at other participating Six Flags parks:
As for Universal, those holiday events start next week in Orlando, on November 21, and on November 24 in Hollywood.
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