SUNNY TO SNOWY: There are a number of Disneyland fans out there who automatically pair the parks at the Anaheim resort with sunshiny days, balmy breezes, and brilliant blue skies. They want to be in line for Dumbo in their shorts and sunscreen, lapping up the long, bright days that Southern California is known the world over for. Fewer people pair the Orange County landmark with frigid, wintry days, though that may now be a thing of a past. If you were to summon, to your mind, the most famous snowy pop culture property of the last decade, you'd likely summon "Frozen," which is, yes, a Disney property, and you betcha, royal sisters Elsa and Anna do hold court within Disneyland's Fantasyland. But your feelings that Disney had a frostier side likely started before the 2013 hit film, perhaps around the time you first walked into the theme park on a December day and spied dancing snowmen and giant Christmas trees and twinkling snowflake decorations. Disneyland, in short, may be in sun ray-laden SoCal, but it takes on the holidays and winter wonders in a way no other place ever has. That seasonal celebration kicks off the carols on Thursday, Nov. 13.
FAREWELL, HALLOWEEN: For sure, that's about a fortnight after Halloween says farewell to the resort, but one attraction keeps its spooky-seasonal clothes through early January: The Haunted Mansion, which is dressed for "A Nightmare Before Christmas" for both Halloween and Christmas. The yuletide, though, will take firm and festive hold in other areas of Disneyland and Disney California Adventure, from the tire wreaths of Cars Lands to the World of Color show (where "Frozen" figures prominently). And Sleeping Beauty's Castle? It's an icicle-bedecked wonder. And "...it's a small world"? It's so brightly and merrily lit you can probably see it from the moon, or at least high, high up in the sky. A Christmas Fantasy Parade and fireworks themed to the season ornament the proceedings.
AND THOSE PROCEEDINGS? They're on through Jan. 6, 2015. How does "fa la la la la" sound in Mickey Mouse's voice? Can you hear that, right now, in your head? Yep, it's nearly holiday time at the Magic Kingdom.
