25 Days - 5

Day 5

 

 

it's a bright bright world

 

 

Each evening, right around dusk, the holiday spirit begins to take over the park.

Along the Small World plaza, just before dusk, crowds gather for the nightly lighting of the facade of "the happiest cruise around the world".   Family holiday cards make this a popular backdrop, and many many tourists try to get the perfect image of this amazing light spectacular, but nothing tops seeing it in person.  If you visit Disneyland this season and miss this then you have truly missed a wonderful tradition. Below you will find a clip of the lighting, along with a cruise around the world this holiday season.

BONUS: From Disney Parks Blog here is a look at how Small World Transforms.


25 Days - 4

Day 4

 

it's a small world

 

Each year, just before Thanksgiving, one of the most iconic attractions at Disneyland is transformed from its normal "cruise around the world" into a celebration of holidays around the world.  How do children around the world celebrate Christmas, Kwanzaa, and other winter holidays?  Just hop on a boat, sit back and relax while you find out.

 

During the day we get an almost normal looking facade for the ride.  The sign out front has been modified with a "Happy Holidays" addition. The clock face now sports a Santa Hat and wreaths adorn the doors to the clock. Tasteful white garland and wreaths are strewn around the loading dock and railings.  If it were not for the blaring "Jingle Bells/Small World" medley playing all around the area you might never know that Christmas was in the air.

 

Lines for the ride during the day tend to be on the shorter side. After all, during the day the Small World Plaza is home to the Disney Princesses and Merida from Brave, so the crowds tend to congregate there and elsewhere in the park. So if you want a nice ride, a shorter line, and another catchy tune that you can't get out of your head then daytime is a great time to visit it's a small world.

 

Nighttime Small World is a whole different attraction. Come back tomorrow for the spectacle.