Disney's Festival Of Holidays

As we all know, Disneyland is the happiest place on Earth. But during the winter time it also becomes the merriest place on Earth! Disney has been known to add holiday elements throughout the original theme park, like all the Christmas decor, holiday themed rides, and winter treats. But not much transforms in the second theme park in Southern California, Disney's California Adventure.

But this year, the holiday cheer has spread across Disney Way and into California Adventure. Not only is the park all decked out in holiday decor, like every year, there are some new additions this year. Some rides in Cars Land have a holiday makeover. Luigi's Rollickin' Roadsters became Luigi's Joy to the Whirl, and Mater's Junkyard Jamboree became Mater's Jingle Jamboree. Basically those two rides now have a holiday soundtrack rather than their usual songs. Regardless it's still really cute and festive.

Other parts of the park have also been given some holiday cheer. Grizzly Peak has some festive outdoor decorations. In the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail, you can actually meet Santa Claus himself up until Christmas Eve. Even A Bug's Land has a holiday revamp, this area is dedicated to Pixar's new movie Coco. If you haven't seen the movie yet, you can actually go to the Bug's Life Theater and watch a little sneak peak of the movie. Also for the spirit of Navidad, California Adventure has the ¡Viva Navidad! Street Party at the end of Paradise Pier. It features Donald Duck and the Three Caballeros plus some amazing live performers. In this area you can indulge in some holiday hispanic cuisine and even meet Disney's new Latina princess Elena of Avalor. Let's not forget that World of Color Season of Light has returned as well! But the big draw to California Adventure this year is the Festival of Holidays.

The Festival of Holidays is a huge celebration for not only Christmas but all holidays during this time of the year! Along the walkway from Pacific Wharf to Paradise Pier you'll find little pop up shops and boutiques that sell holiday items for each holiday, craft stations for each holiday like Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanza, Diwali, and Navidad. Also during the day time, in the main viewing area for World of Color, you'll find live music, dance and holiday-inspired performances.

The main draw of the Festival of Holidays is the Festive Foods Marketplace. Alongside the boutiques and pop up shops, you'll find kiosks serving holiday food from all around the world. There's a total of twelve different kiosks with different festive foods and even some specialty drinks and cocktails. For more information about each stand, and to check out the menu, click here. My personal favorite stand was Making Spirits Bright, here you'll find wine and different flavored mimosas, you can actually get a sampler for a reasonable price! If you are a Disneyland Annual Passholder, you can purchase the Sip and Savor Pass at the AP Corner at Sonoma Terrace. For $45 you get a 2017 Festival of Holidays lanyard with eight coupons that are redeemable for non-alcoholic beverage and food items at the Festive Foods Marketplace kiosks! So if you want to try something at all the stands it's not a bad deal.

The Festival of Holidays along with the holiday decorations and attractions will be up and running until January 7. So there is still plenty of time to absorb the holiday magic even after the holidays. Also this year, Disney's California Adventure will celebrate Three Kings Day and El Día de los Reyes Magos, those celebrations will begin January 4.

If you plan on going to any of the Disney resorts during this holiday season, make sure all your social media posts include the hashtag #ShareYourEars. For every post using the hashtag, Disney will donate $5 to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. If you're not planning on going to the park, you can still use the hashtag! Post some of your favorite photos with the hashtag, it's all for a good cause. You have up until Christmas Day to help Disney spread some holiday cheer!

That's all that's going on at the happiest place on Earth this holiday season. I can't wait until I'll be able to head back to enjoy some of that Disney Magic. Until then, I'll be at home prepping for the holidays. For all you who are going to be at the parks during the rest of the year, enjoy it!

Until tomorrow.