Rain, rain stay away at least ’til Sunday

I’m counting on the rain to hold off until at least Sunday so I can get to Disneyland this weekend, the first with the park decked out for the holidays.

I want to get in there before the Thanksgiving and then Christmas crowds arrive.

If you have never been, no kidding, it’s the most amazing time to go. Especially if you’re like me and sometimes have a hard time getting into the holiday spirit.

Disney characters participate in the holiday parade at Disneyland. Photo by Sherry Barkas

Every inch of the park is decorated with holiday lights, garland, wreaths and more. You can’t help but ooh and awe from the minute you walk through the gate and your attention is stolen by a beautifully decorated 60-foot-tall Christmas tree in front of the Main Street train station.

Snow White’s Castle takes on a winter facade with icicles made of lights. After the sun goes down, the castle becomes the centerpiece for the special holiday fireworks show, so make sure you are in a place where you can see as much of the castle as possible.

There are normally two opportunities a day to take in “A Christmas Fantasy” parade featuring all the Disney characters.

One area that I often neglect is Mickey’s Toontown, which this year has a cartoon-style Christmas tree in front of Toontown City Hall. And don’t forget to visit Mickey’s and Minnie’s houses while in Toontown to see how they have decorated their yards and trees.

For the kids, Big Thunder Ranch in Frontierland is transformed into Santa’s Reindeer Round-Up where kids can decorate holiday cookies, join in line-dancing and sing-a-longs and meet Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Of course Jack Skellington continues his holiday residency at Haunted Mansion, which is transformed into “The Nightmare Before Christmas” mansion.

“It’s A Small World” always has long lines for the holidays, when  the dolls sing Christmas carols in the different languages of the world rather than the ride’s theme song.

A 14-foot sparkling snowman has been placed at the end of the ride this year.

And, if you can get to Disneyland on Dec. 3 or 4, make sure you take in the Candlelight Ceremony, where Southern California high school choir members are brought in to sing carols with the Disneyland orchestra and choir as the traditional story of Christmas is told by a guest celebrity.

This is an amazing presentation and one I look forward to every year, though I won’t be able to make it this year.

I don’t know who the celebrity will be this year, because Disney doesn’t publicize that. But past narrators include Dick Van Dyke, Andy Garcia, Jane Seymour and Hector Elizondo. The presentation is done on the steps of the Main Street train station at around 5 and 8 p.m. each of those days.

One must-have treat for me that I can already taste is the peppermint ice cream that’s dished up only during the holidays at Gibson Girl ice cream parlor on Main Street U.S.A.

For more information about the holidays at Disneyland and California Adventure, check out http://disneyland.disney.go.com/events/holidays/. You might find some ticket deals online at www.disneyland.com
The holiday events continue through Jan. 8.