The Happiest (holiday) Place on Earth

Last time, I diverged from my typical political fare to highlight some community holiday offerings.

With that spirit in mind (and because even a recent Harry Reid column didn’t draw much response) today I’ll stick to the holiday activities with a look (apologies to the Rose Bowl) at the Granddaddy of Them All.

Holidays at Disneyland are more than just another gimmick to keep ’em entering the turnstiles. The resort in Anaheim, Calif., turns up the regular old Disney magic to unbelievable heights.

The change is evident from the moment you enter and find poinsettias and other holiday plants spritzing up the scenery. A 60-foot tree transforms Main Street USA into something akin to the main drag at the North Pole.

Then you see the castle and, for once, the smaller Disneyland chateau actually rivals its much larger sister castle in Orlando by becoming a focal point at holiday time.

This may be Southern California, but the castle is covered in snow. And later, at the end of the holiday fireworks show, the castle gets another new look that can only be described as a winter wonderland.

It is hard to take your eyes off that castle when it is dramatically lighted for the fireworks finale. (Because Disney knows so many young ones are visiting, they also light up the castle for a sneak peak earlier in the night for those with early bedtimes.) “It’s like something in a dream,” my 6-year-old said.

My 2-year-old and I literally couldn’t take our eyes off it and had to be dragged to the next ride.

Three attractions at Disneyland are also made over for the holidays. The Haunted Mansion is taken over by Jack Skellington and other characters from “The Nightmare Before Christmas.” The ghost dog Zero’s red nose fits beautifully.

The “It’s a Small World” ride adds an even more incessant tune to the boat ride, with “Jingle Bells” interspersed with the original song. My daughter got a chance to practice the one number she was learning for her preschool holiday show. Over and over.

Disney rides are known for their animation and lights. So “It’s a Small World” is like a Disney ride on holiday steroids. Even with double lines and what seemed like an endless trickle of boats, the line for “It’s a Small World” was one of the largest we encountered on a recent weekend trip.

One of the coolest holiday features was the addition of “Santa’s Reindeer Roundup” at Big Thunder Ranch in Frontierland. Normally this ranch, tucked away from the bustle, has a petting zoo and room for little legs to run around. Now Santa and Mrs. Claus are on hand with activities like crafts and cookie decorating. And yes, you can watch the reindeer taking a break in the corral (no petting).

When we visited, Pluto was taking in a magic show and raising his paw to be chosen for a trick. Later we spotted him doing a line dance. Interaction with Disney characters appeared to be at an all-time high.

We spotted Alice and the Mad Hatter round up a few kids, sit them down at the edge of a path and begin playing games and singing songs with them.

Then there was the parade. It seemed every character was in the parade. Even the new princess, Giselle from the movie “Enchanted,” was introduced to the crowd.

You can apparently never have too many princesses.

The parade also features plenty of holiday characters, from toy soldiers to dancing gingerbread cookies. Santa, Mrs. Claus and reindeer are also on hand.

A massive Christmas tree rises in the lobby of the Grand Californian. Children posed with Santa at the base of the tree. At the Disneyland Hotel, Santa met with children in an alcove bedecked with presents and a smaller tree.

Even the giant letters spelling out California outside Disney’s California Adventure were sugared up. Now they’re candy canes.

The kid-friendly “A Bug’s Land” now has giant holiday decorations in addition to the massive plants and oversized everything else. The ornaments were taller than me.

California Adventure always seems less crowded and more laid-back than Disneyland. So it was only fitting that Santa wore a Hawaiian shirt and rode in on a Woody wagon to the sounds of The Beach Boys. Mickey was sporting a Santa hat and Pluto was wearing antlers.

One of the things that sets Disney apart from other family destinations is the small touches and attention to detail. It’s not as if they put up a tree, hung some lights and are selling cocoa. There are holiday touches everywhere.

We found wreaths on lampposts leading down a pathway away from the main drag. Ornaments are hung throughout the resort, and the kids got free mini candy canes when I bought a coffee and a bottle of water at a restaurant. Big resort, small touches.

The holiday theme began in November and continues through Jan. 6.

Contact Erin Neff at eneff@ reviewjournal.com or (702) 387-2906.