WDW Daily News

The Holidays 2014 season marks the 14th time that Jack Skellington has visited the 999 Happy Haunts who dwell in the Haunted Mansion, transforming this attraction into Haunted Mansion Holiday.  Each year, Jack dresses up as “Sandy Claws” as he and his ghost dog Zero bring ghoulish delights from Halloween Town to visit Disneyland Park.
One of Jack’s holiday traditions is leaving a special treat for the ghosts who dance around the Haunted Mansion’s Grand Hall.  The annual centerpiece for this “waltz of the weird” is always a huge, creepy gingerbread creation. Jack delivers new and thrilling surprises every year.

The Ghost Host of Haunted Mansion Holiday always says, “even a gingerbread house can be scary,” and this year’s design definitely lives up to the “scary” definition. Of course, the Haunted Mansion Holiday gingerbread house adds a little whimsy with a hapless gingerbread zombie trapped inside – and those frightening spikes are very sharp, red-and-white candy canes. The gingerbread house also will feature opening and closing doors and special lights.

A team of five pastry chefs created this year’s Gingerbread Mansion. Three of them have been part of the Haunted Mansion Gingerbread House team since the annual holiday transformation began 13 years ago.

Frightfully Fun Facts about Haunted Mansion Holiday

• Supernatural Sweets – Every year, a new ghoulish concept for the Haunted Mansion Holiday gingerbread house is created for the celebration scene in the mansion’s Grand Hall. This strange and wonderful treat is almost always “supernatural.”

• The Eerie Exterior – More than 400 flickering candles create a ghostly glow on the façade of the Haunted Mansion.  Each night, more than 100 jack-o-lanterns shine their ghoulish light.

• The Haunted Elevator – Jack Skellington and his ghost dog Zero appear in a fully animated sequence on the ceiling of the “stretching” room, which transports guests into the depths of the mansion.

• The Portrait Gallery – Ghost dog Zero makes a surprise appearance among the spooky, transforming portraits in the gallery corridor.

• The Graveyard – The graveyard inside Haunted Mansion Holiday is covered with nearly 7,500 square feet of snow. More than 20 gallons of UV (ultra-violet) paint is used to enhance the snow’s eerie glow.  Nearly 1,000 tiny, orange lights decorate the trees.

• Graveyard Ice Angels – The iconic Graveyard Ice Angels are designed with a jagged, ice-carved look. Their ethereal wings and snow-glow colors shine with a more ghoulish luster than ever this year.

• Deck the Halls – Each season, thousands of feet of “Black Gnarly” garland is draped and hung inside and outside Haunted Mansion Holiday.  Jack’s faithful dog Zero gathered more than 200 bones to use as décor, garland and presents.

• “Come Out to Socialize” – More than two dozen additional animated figures “materialize” inside the mansion whenever Jack brings his Haunted Mansion Holiday around.  From man-eating wreaths to vampire teddy bears, they wait all year to join in the holiday spirit.

• Home Creepy Home – Creepy cobwebs are artistically kept (not swept!) year-round to make Jack Skellington and the 999 Happy Haunts feel right at home.

• Seasonal Séance Room – Madame Leota’s “13 Days of Christmas” are featured in 13 spinning fortune cards that tell of the Christmas gifts which, as she proclaims, “My ghoul love gave to me…”
  • Kim Irvine, daughter of the original Madame Leota – For this seasonal attraction, Imagineer Kim Irvine gives a spirited performance as the Haunted Mansion’s favorite psychic, floating inside the Haunted Mansion’s Crystal Ball in the Séance Room. Her mother Leota Toombs, Disney Legend and long-time Imagineer, first gave life to the floating head.

• Haunting Gingerbread Smells – The haunting scent of tasty gingerbread wafts throughout the Grand Hall, tempting Happy Haunts and guests alike.

• ‘Hurry Back!’ – New for 2014, a more “animated” Sally bids farewell to “Sandy Claws” Jack Skellington as he, and Haunted Mansion Holiday guests, depart from the Mansion.

The Disneyland Resort launched its Holiday season with a ceremonial lighting of “it’s a small world” Holiday on Nov. 13.  The Gallardo family, whose daughter Maya, 13, has been treated at cancer research hospital, City of Hope, had the honor of turning on the lights.  The Gallardo Family is from La Habra in Orange County. Siemens is the corporate sponsor of the “it’s a small world” attraction.

From Nov. 13, 2014 – Jan 6, 2015, the season shines more brightly than ever at the Anaheim, Calif., resort with sparkling deŽcor, the “Believe … in Holiday Magic” fireworks spectacular, and a nightly snowfall on Main Street, U.S.A. New this year, Anna and Elsa from “Frozen” join “A Christmas Fantasy” parade. The holiday experiences also include the madcap celebration of Haunted Mansion Holiday at Disneyland park, the breathtaking “World of Color – Winter Dreams” holiday spectacular and the festive “Disney ¡Viva Navidad!” at Disney California Adventure park. (Scott Brinegar/Disneyland Resort) – See more at: http://disneylandnews.com/2014/11/13/the-holiday-season-officially-launches-at-the-disneyland-resort/#sthash.8Xm5qP8v.dpuf

The fun, authentic and infectious entertainment of “Disney ¡Viva Navidad!” adds to the merriment of the Holiday season at the Disneyland Resort, returning this year after its exciting debut in 2013. Guests will enjoy “Disney ¡Viva Navidad!” Nov. 13, 2014 through Jan. 6, 2015 in Disney California Adventure Park, as the Happiest Place on Earth Just Gets Merrier.

The Holiday season is an ideal time for guests of all ages to show their holiday “Disney Side” and make magical memories at the Disneyland Resort.

“Disney ¡Viva Navidad!” is a lively holiday experience inspired by the richness, warmth and joyous spirit of the Latino culture, filled with holiday traditions, jubilant dancing and exciting music. Based in and around the Paradise Garden area of Disney California Adventure, the special activities include live Latino music, holiday foods and crafts, the “Disney ¡Viva Navidad! Street Party” and, of course, appearances by some popular Disney characters.

• Disney characters participating in “Disney ¡Viva Navidad!” include Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and Goofy in their festive costumes along with the Three Caballeros: Donald Duck, Panchito from Mexico and José Carioca from Brazil.

• Paradise Garden is decorated with holly, banners and Latino cultural icons, including traditional “papel picado” hand-cut paper art decorations.

• The lively “Disney ¡Viva Navidad! Street Party” takes over Paradise Garden several times a day, featuring the Three Caballeros on a colorful holiday float, Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse on brightly decorated street tricycles, Brazilian samba dancers and drummers and flag bearers. The street party draws on long-standing traditions that continue to be practiced today in small towns and cities of Mexico, where townspeople celebrate the holidays by processing down cobblestone streets with Mariachi bands, Folklórico dancers, larger than life “mojiganga” puppets and colorful flags.

• At the Paradise Garden bandstand, guests may enjoy performances by traditional Mariachi, Norteño, and other regional music groups. Also at Paradise Garden, community music and folklorico troupes will perform on the weekends.

• “Disney ¡Viva Navidad!” guests will enjoy fun arts, crafts and storytelling, as well as a selection of unique merchandise in the area.

• Dining locations in Paradise Garden add an array of popular Mexican food options. Menus will feature Mexican dishes that are often served for the holidays, such as fresh seafood ceviche with citrus vinaigrette, pozole (hearty stew), chicken mole drumettes, champurrado (Mexican-style hot chocolate), sweet tamales, torta al pastor (pork sandwich), cinnamon-dusted buñuelos (deep-fried sweet treat) with caramel sauce and choco flan.

• The grand finale of “Disney ¡Viva Navidad!” will be the special five-day celebration of Three Kings Day (Dia de los Reyes) Jan. 2 through 6, 2015 in Paradise Garden. Treats for this holiday will include traditional Rosca de Reyes bread.

“Disney ¡Viva Navidad!” brings its own special magic to the traditional holiday entertainment at the Disneyland Resort. Other holiday highlights this year include Anna and Elsa from “Frozen” appearing in the daily “A Christmas Fantasy” parade in Disneyland Park, nightly fireworks and a snowfall on Main Street, U.S.A. Holiday music, décor and characters in holiday attire are found throughout the resort. At Disney California Adventure, even Mater dons a red hat to meet guests inside the festively decorated Cars Land.

The special holiday “World of Color ­– Winter Dreams” returns, bringing the spirit of the season to life in a wondrous nighttime presentation of water, light and winter images from beloved Disney films, including “Frozen,” with snowman Olaf as your host and several of the film’s popular songs. The show dazzles the senses with stirring holiday music, amazing special effects and appearances by some of the most beloved Disney Characters.

At Disneyland Park, holiday traditions include the popular “A Christmas Fantasy” parade, celebrating its 20^th anniversary this year by welcoming Anna and Elsa from “Frozen” into the cast. They are among the 100-plus parade performers, including Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, other Disney characters and Santa Claus, making a special appearance from the North Pole.

When Santa isn’t appearing in “A Christmas Fantasy,” he and Mrs. Claus are greeting guests and listening to holiday wishes at the Jingle Jangle Jamboree in Big Thunder Ranch in Disneyland. Jingle Jangle Jamboree comes to life with Disney characters, music, games, cookie decorating, crafts and seasonal entertainment. New this year on the Jamboree stage is a comedy and music show that invites guests to laugh and sing along in a wacky tale of Christmas in the West.

Additional beloved holiday traditions at Disneyland include:

• Sleeping Beauty’s Winter Castle – A sensational holiday lighting and special-effects show carries the magic of the holidays from the castle all the way to the 60-foot tall Disneyland Christmas tree in Town Square. The finale of the show includes the legendary “Believe … in Holiday Magic” fireworks show, ending with a touching rendition of “White Christmas” and a climactic snowfall swirling upon Main Street, U.S.A., “it’s a small world” Mall and New Orleans Square.

• “it’s a small world” Holiday becomes  a worldwide celebration of the season, boasting more than 300,000 glittering lights on its façade and, inside, the children of many nations in their holiday attire. After dark, the smiling clock at the front of “it’s a small world” reveals a sparkling projection show. On every quarter hour, the façade of the attraction is transformed into an enormous clockwork mechanism with advanced 3D-projection technology. The gears and springs pull back to reveal a world of holiday wonders hidden behind the clock.

• Haunted Mansion Holiday presents a madcap celebration as the traditions of Halloween and Christmas collide. The ghoulish but well-meaning Jack Skellington from Tim Burton’s “The Nightmare Before Christmas” has come to Haunted Mansion to transform it with his skewed vision of the holidays, including the newest version of the Haunted Mansion gingerbread house.

• The skippers of “Jingle Cruise” bring holiday fun to a seasonal version of the celebrated Adventureland attraction – and it’s newly enhanced this year.

• Special holiday food items include Walt’s favorite gingerbread cookies at Jolly Holiday Bakery and Café and holiday tamale plates at Rancho del Zocalo Restaurante. Elf Mickey premium popcorn buckets and drink steins are available in both Disneyland and Disney California Adventure.

• Guests may book the seasonal favorite “Holiday Time at the Disneyland Resort” guided tour which provides entry (subject to availability) into “it’s a small world” Holiday, Haunted Mansion Holiday and Jingle Cruise along with reserved seating and a holiday treat while enjoying “A Christmas Fantasy” parade. The tour also includes viewing of the holiday décor in Disney California Adventure, a keepsake remembrance and entertaining information about Disneyland holiday traditions. For information and reservations guests may visit any Disneyland Resort Guest Relations location or call (714) 781-TOUR (781-8687).

At Disneyland Park, holiday traditions include the popular “A Christmas Fantasy” parade, celebrating its 20^th anniversary this year by welcoming Anna and Elsa from “Frozen” into the cast. They are among the 100-plus parade performers, including Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, other Disney characters and Santa Claus, making a special appearance from the North Pole.

When Santa isn’t appearing in “A Christmas Fantasy,” he and Mrs. Claus are greeting guests and listening to holiday wishes at the Jingle Jangle Jamboree in Big Thunder Ranch in Disneyland. Jingle Jangle Jamboree comes to life with Disney characters, music, games, cookie decorating, crafts and seasonal entertainment. New this year on the Jamboree stage is a comedy and music show that invites guests to laugh and sing along in a wacky tale of Christmas in the West.

Additional beloved holiday traditions at Disneyland include:

• Sleeping Beauty’s Winter Castle – A sensational holiday lighting and special-effects show carries the magic of the holidays from the castle all the way to the 60-foot tall Disneyland Christmas tree in Town Square. The finale of the show includes the legendary “Believe … in Holiday Magic” fireworks show, ending with a touching rendition of “White Christmas” and a climactic snowfall swirling upon Main Street, U.S.A., “it’s a small world” Mall and New Orleans Square.

• “it’s a small world” Holiday becomes  a worldwide celebration of the season, boasting more than 300,000 glittering lights on its façade and, inside, the children of many nations in their holiday attire. After dark, the smiling clock at the front of “it’s a small world” reveals a sparkling projection show. On every quarter hour, the façade of the attraction is transformed into an enormous clockwork mechanism with advanced 3D-projection technology. The gears and springs pull back to reveal a world of holiday wonders hidden behind the clock.

• Haunted Mansion Holiday presents a madcap celebration as the traditions of Halloween and Christmas collide. The ghoulish but well-meaning Jack Skellington from Tim Burton’s “The Nightmare Before Christmas” has come to Haunted Mansion to transform it with his skewed vision of the holidays, including the newest version of the Haunted Mansion gingerbread house.

• The skippers of “Jingle Cruise” bring holiday fun to a seasonal version of the celebrated Adventureland attraction – and it’s newly enhanced this year.

• Special holiday food items include Walt’s favorite gingerbread cookies at Jolly Holiday Bakery and Café and holiday tamale plates at Rancho del Zocalo Restaurante. Elf Mickey premium popcorn buckets and drink steins are available in both Disneyland and Disney California Adventure.

• Guests may book the seasonal favorite “Holiday Time at the Disneyland Resort” guided tour which provides entry (subject to availability) into “it’s a small world” Holiday, Haunted Mansion Holiday and Jingle Cruise along with reserved seating and a holiday treat while enjoying “A Christmas Fantasy” parade. The tour also includes viewing of the holiday décor in Disney California Adventure, a keepsake remembrance and entertaining information about Disneyland holiday traditions. For information and reservations guests may visit any Disneyland Resort Guest Relations location or call (714) 781-TOUR (781-8687).

The Happiest Place on Earth Just Gets Merrier starting Thursday, Nov. 13, when Anna and Elsa from Walt Disney Pictures’ animated hit “Frozen” join the annual holiday celebration at the Disneyland Resort. The Holidays bring themed entertainment, sparkling decorations, delicious treats, festive traditions and holiday shopping to locations throughout the Resort.

At Disneyland Park, holiday traditions include the popular “A Christmas Fantasy” parade, celebrating its 20th anniversary this year by welcoming Anna and Elsa from “Frozen” into the cast. They are among the 100-plus parade performers, including Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, other Disney characters and Santa Claus, making a special appearance from the North Pole.

Walt Disney on Fantasyland: “Here is the world of imagination, hopes and dreams. In this timeless land of enchantment, the age of chivalry, magic and make-believe are reborn and fairy tales come true. Fantasyland is dedicated to the young at heart — to those who believe that when you wish upon a star, your dreams come true.”

Overview: Fantasyland, dubbed “The Happiest Kingdom of Them All,” opened as one of five original lands at Disneyland Park on July 17, 1955. The fairytale village brings to life the wonder and magic of Disney’s animated stories and characters. While the land has grown and evolved, with a significant redesign in 1983 and additions in 2013, its magic continues to attract guests of all ages. Journeys include adventures with Snow White, Peter Pan and Pinocchio; a race down the icy slopes of the Matterhorn mountain; sailing to visit children around the globe on “it’s a small world” and more.

What’s new: Guests of all ages have the opportunity to meet Anna and Elsa, the royal sisters from Disney’s newest animated film “Frozen,” at a snowy spot in Fantasyland. Look out for Olaf the snowman, too. All three appear in a pre-parade on most afternoons in Disneyland Park.

Don’t miss: Fantasyland has 13 attractions, including such updated classics as Matterhorn Bobsleds, where sleek new bobsleds glide down and around the mountain and “it’s a small world” which has been delighting children of all ages at Disneyland since 1966. Guests also will find live shows, eight shops and five dining locations in Fantasyland.

Attractions:

• Matterhorn Bobsleds

• “it’s a small world”

• Mad Tea Party

• Peter Pan’s Flight

• Dumbo the Flying Elephant

• Snow White’s Scary Adventures

• Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride

• Pinocchio’s Daring Journey

• Sleeping Beauty Castle Walkthrough

• Storybook Land Canal Boats

• Alice in Wonderland

• King Arthur Carrousel

• Casey Jr. Circus Train

Entertainment: The dazzling stage show “Mickey and the Magical Map” plays at the Fantasyland Theatre. Mickey learns some valuable lessons on a musical odyssey that features classic tunes from beloved Disney movies. Fantasy Faire invites guests to visit Disney princesses at the Royal Hall, and enjoy live stage shows with Rapunzel from “Tangled” or Belle from “Beauty and the Beast” at the Royal Theatre. The Royal Hall is the home of Princesses Cinderella, Ariel and Aurora. Guests may find some of their favorite characters throughout Fantasyland, including Tinker Bell at Pixie Hollow.

Dining: Fantasyland has a variety of unique and tasty treats. The most recent addition to the culinary landscape is Maurice’s Treats in Fantasy Faire where guests may enjoy delicious pastry twists and the very popular Boysen Apple Freeze. Troubadour Tavern offers pretzels and bratwurst. Adventurous eaters will enjoy the jumbo turkey legs and chimichangas from Edelweiss Snacks while Village Haus offers the more traditional fare of burgers, pizza and salads.

Imaginative landscaping: From topiaries to fanciful colors in the flowerbeds, the enchantment of Fantasyland is created with soft landscape based on classic European gardens. The trees provide shade while drawing attention to the architecture and floral tapestries. All the plants appear to have been “miniaturized” at the Storybook Land Canal Boats attraction, while the art of topiary transforms hedges into animals and geometric designs at “it’s a small world” all part of the living design.

Did you know?

• Fantasyland has the most “dark rides” of any land in the park. They are called “dark rides” because they feature brilliantly painted show scenes that are illuminated by black light inside the darkness of the attraction. Dark rides on opening day were Snow White’s Scary Adventures, Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride, and Peter Pan’s Flight. Alice in Wonderland was added in 1958 and Pinocchio’s Daring Journey in 1983.

• Clopin’s Music Box in Fantasy Faire was inspired by the characters in “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” and features a unique arrangement of the song “Topsy Turvey” from the film.

• There are more than 60 horses on King Arthur Carrousel, no two of them alike.

• During a 16-hour operating day in the park, the “It’s a Small World” song is played, on average, 1,200 times.

• The Matterhorn Bobsleds was the first tubular steel roller coaster in the world when it opened in 1959. It set the standard for modern-day roller-coaster design

Cast member tips:

• For children, buy princess dresses a half-size larger than normal for extra comfort in the parks.

• For a spectacular view or a shorter wait time, ride the Matterhorn Bobsleds during the fireworks or late at night.

• Get a good seat at The Royal Theatre in Fantasy Faire by arriving 30 minutes before show time.

• Consider this the ultimate summer cooler: On a hot day, “it’s a small world” is a 15-minute ride through an air-conditioned building.

• Attention Pin Traders: Small World Toy Shoppe has a large selection of cloisonné pins.