Disneyland Christmas Fantasy

Every year the Disneyland Resort becomes a Christmas fantasyland as the holiday decorations adorn the parks. The parades, shows, fireworks, children's activities and even some of the rides take on a Christmas theme. The parks also extend their hours so you have more time to enjoy the festivities.

Note: Not all holiday activities begin on the same date. Check the Disneyland website for current details.

At Disneyland

Main Street USA is strung with lights and a 60-foot Christmas tree adorned with thousands of ornaments takes pride of place in Town Square.

Rides: The Haunted Mansion becomes the "Haunted Mansion Holiday" with characters based on Tim Burton's Nightmare Before Christmas, mixing the traditions of Halloween and Christmas. The other big ride makeover is "it's a small world," which becomes "it's a small world Holiday," adding Christmas traditions from around the world to it's small figures and over 300,000 lights to its façade.

Fun and Games: Santa and Mrs. Claus hang out with their live reindeer at "Santa's Reindeer Roundup" in Frontierland. In addition to visiting Santa, kids can create souvenir crafts and play games.

Parade: When Santa's not at the Reindeer Roundup," he's riding his sleigh down Main Street in the "Christmas Fantasy" parade. Traditional Disney characters are joined by marching nutcrackers, toy soldiers and dancing snowmen.

Fireworks: The nightly musical fireworks display also takes on a holiday theme. It is topped off with snowflakes falling on Main Street.

Disney's California Adventure

The giant letters spelling out California Adventure in front of the entrance to the park convert from Halloween candy corn to Christmas candy canes for the holidays, getting you in the spirit before you even enter the park.

Just inside the park, the Sunshine Plaza becomes "Santa's Beach Blast," where a surfing Santa can be found hanging out with his Woody wagon sleigh. Holiday decorations are of the seaside resort variety, fitting right into mostly-sunny Southern California.

"a bug's land" is decorated with giant Christmas lights, super-sized ornaments and even bigger candy canes. The gaily lit Christmas tree at California Adventure can be found in Paradise Bay, where palm trees and other California natives are also festooned for the season.

For basic information on visiting Disneyland, start with Disneyland for Beginners.