4. Spaceship Earth’s Nightmare Before Christmas overlay – Disneyland in California and Tokyo Disneyland have hosted “Haunted Mansion Holiday” for years, adding Jack Skellington and other characters from Tim Burton’s Nightmare Before Christmas to the attraction. New this year, Florida park-goers no longer have to miss out on the spooky fun, as Epcot’s iconic Spaceship Earth is getting the full Nightmare treatment during the holiday season! With Chris Sarandon as Skellington providing the narration (temporarily replacing Dame Judith Dench), guests ride their time-machine vehicles back to prehistory and then forward. They will learn the history of Halloween and Christmas communication through the centuries, from the earliest attempts at trick-or-treating all the way up eCards and beyond.
3. Rudolph appearing at the Animal Kingdom Lodge savannah – Guests staying at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge already have the treat of seeing live animals from their balconies, but in December there’s so much more. Snow is added to the savannah (see the next item, too!), and Disney releases nine tiny reindeer to roam among the giraffes and zebras. And one of the reindeer is Rudolph! He’s most easily recognized at night, but you can sometimes spot his glowing red nose in full sunlight! (Shhh — don’t tell the kids, but Rudolph’s nose has help from some LED’s and a camouflaged battery pack.)
2. The fake snow is cauliflower – It’s true! In every Disney park around the world, cauliflower is used as a snow substitute. There’s just something about the way it catches the light that makes it almost indistinguishable from the real thing, and of course it’s not as likely to melt in California or Florida’s balmier temperatures. Fun fact: the Disney company is the world’s biggest consumer of cauliflower during the months of November and December!
1. All holidays are celebrated – While the vast majority of decorations — trees, wreaths, gingerbread, Santa — have to do with Christmas, Disney Parks and Resorts want guests of all beliefs and celebrations to feel at home. So whatever you celebrate, you’ll find decorations and displays that cover every holiday imaginable — “even the stupid ones,” as Walt Disney himself was fond of saying. Pro tip: try to spot the Festivus pole near Hollywood Studios’ Echo Lake!
What is your favorite Disney holiday tradition? Let us know in the comments!
Cover photo: DepositPhotos
