Disneyland Resort: The Perfect Winter Family Vacation

by Lindsey Miller Petersen on December 1st, 2013 | No Comments »

Looking for the most magical family vacation spot this winter? Look no further. Traveling to Disneyland Resort for the holidays is not only the Happiest Place on Earth, but it is the perfect destination for creating meaningful, and yes! magical, family moments that will last a lifetime.

The lovely people of Disneyland Resort invited Mom It Forward to attend the holiday kick-off events at the park this year! Who wouldn't want to let their inner child bust out and experience the thrill of the holidays Disney style? Not to mention letting our kids' inner princess soar. In short, we couldn't hold back our emphatic YES! and only a couple of weeks later, we found our family road tripping our way through the Utah and Nevada deserts over to experience the magic. Not to mention, Disneyland has a way of providing a stress-free family vacation option for parents looking to please kids of all ages. In fact, this year's visit impacted our family so much that we're already looking at next year's calendar and planning our pocketbook so as to make this a holiday family tradition.

The holidays at the Disneyland Resort starts in mid-November and envelop you with all the right sights and sounds to get your heart warmed right up. Literally and figuratively! The perfect weather coupled with the incredible decor, enchanting music, and the amazing cast members truly transform this already magical place to an absolute holiday delight.

5 Holiday Attractions You Can't Miss at the Disneyland Resort

We all know that love is in the details. This is something almost personified with Disneyland Resort, especially during the holidays. Here are 5 holiday attractions you simply cannot miss!

1. The Jingle Cruise (Formerly Known as The Jungle Cruise!)

The Jungle Cruise is an institution at Disneyland! Did you know that it celebrated it's 58th birthday this year? The lovable skippers in Adventureland deck out their docks, boats, and boathouses for the season and find great holiday cheer by delighting guests with their clever and witty holiday antics.

2. "A Christmas Fantasy" Parade

On Main Street U.S.A., all of your favorite Disney characters celebrate the magic of the season right before your eyes. Keep your eyes peeled for winter skiers, Mickey and Minnie on ice skates, and a very special guest appearance from a beloved couple visiting from the North Pole.

3. "it's a small world" Holiday

Only a few rides are more magical than "it's a small world." Imagine the magic multiplied when it's decked out for the holiday season! Take a boat ride through a worldwide celebration of the holidays and don't miss more than 300,000 glittering lights on the facade as well as the exterrior clock that transforms every quarter hour to reveal a hidden world of holiday wonder!

4. Haunted Mansion Holiday

Jack Skellington invites you into his Haunted Mansion where you find that he has transformed the interior to mirror his skewed vision of the holidays. Inside you'll hear familiar music from Tim Burton's "The Nightmare Before Christmas," and you'll find some familiar scenes and haunts from his movie!

5. The Jingle Jangle Jamboree

You won't want to miss spending some time with Santa and Mrs. Claus themselves as they're set up as season-long visitors at Big Thunder Ranch in Frontierland. With visits from your favorite Disney characters as well as games music, crafts, and entertainment, holiday fun abounds for every age.

You can't help but love the Disneyland Resort, but my appreciation has increased for them this year. The moments spent in magic with my family were priceless. The reminder of what truly matters is unbeatable. The realization that we can still hold on to the enchantment of childhood, no matter how old, is definitely something I needed. This holiday season, kicked off with our friends at The Disneyland Resort, will be a distinct memory for our family for years to come.

I may have to grow up, but I don't have to give up on the magic. Thank you, Disneyland Resort, for reminding me!