The Lance

There should be no better holiday combination than spending the happiest time of the year in the happiest place on earth. Enjoying holiday times in any of the four Disneyland parks around the world must make for a magical season indeed. Walking through the park, hot chocolate in one hand, and maybe one of their famous turkey legs in the other, Disney World, or land, is most definitely a fun place to spread one’s holiday cheer.

To Las Vegas residents, the most popular Disney park is the Disneyland California Adventures park. The first Disney park opened 56 years ago on July 18, 1955. Christmas in Disneyland is insured to spread the holiday cheer.  There’s an exciting parade, special appearances by Disney stars and many all-time favorite characters. Carolina Villarreal (’14) said, “I go to Disneyland California with my friends as often as I can. I used to live in Orlando, Florida so it is nice to see everything that I love about Disney so close to Vegas.” Disneyland on Christmas Day goes up as one of the top three most crowded days in the park. If families want to go to the most magical place on earth, then it is highly recommended to go early,  since Disney will stop admissions into the park if it gets too crowded.
The second Disneyland park to opened was in Orlando, Florida back on October 1, 1971. It has been 40 years and Walt Disney World Resort is the world’s most visited entertainment hotel. So what is a Disney Christmas like in Orlando, Florida? Visitors can certainly enjoy themselves in Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party held every winter in Disney’s Magic Kingdom, along with a huge, magical light parade. It is also the busiest time of the year when it comes to Christmas. Sarah Ruddy (’12) visited Disney World park and commented, “I could not imagine seeing Disney so crowed during Christmas. I went during an average time of the year and it was still crowded. I feel as if I would not be able to enjoy myself with so many people around.”
The third oldest Disneyland park is Tokyo Disneyland which has been around for 28 years. Opening on April 15, 1983, the park has the same style as Disneyland California and Disney World Magic Kingdom. Although it may be in Tokyo, its the third most visited theme park in the world. Tokyo Disney has the same electrical parade of Dreamlights as the Disney parks in America. The show happens as the park closes down leading everyone out of the park. “I didn’t even know there was a Disneyland in Tokyo; that’s so cool! I wonder what its like there. Now I want go,” Paige Gubler (‘12) commented. Despite this park being located across the world, Tokyo’s Disneyland still boasts many of the same rides, attractions, and, of course, Disney characters.
Lastly, there is one more Disneyland in the world. Disneyland Paris is located right at the heart of Paris. To get there people need to take the Disney subway train directly to the park. It is only 19 years old so its still very new to the scene in comparison with the other parks. It is also small compared to Disneyland California or in Florida but the magic is just as big. Christmas Day in Paris Disney was not as crowded as it was expected to be. Characters are out and about all day, there was even a Mickey Mouse Santa Claus walking around the park giving little kids gifts. There were snowmen all around the park, artificial snow over the central plaza, and the light parade performed before the park closed. The park does close, but the magic never comes to an end.
No matter where in the world someone is, there is probably a Disneyland or Disney World just around the corner. Each of these parks is a place that is extra-merry at Christmas. The parades, the characters, and the love will keep everyone entertained all day. No one should miss out on the greatest holiday cheer.