Christmas in the Kingdom

Xmas Cheer, originally uploaded by kardinalsin.

After over a year of absence, Grace and I returned to Disneyland. This wasn't just any time of year though, this is the Holiday season at Disneyland. I don't believe any other park does atmosphere this well, well aside from Knott's Scary Farm, but there's a palatable buzz in the air when you first set foot inside their gates. Obviously Main Street is lined with decorations, but it really is more than just holly and ivy, it's the staff dressed in Christmas colors, the non-generic, Disney-specific music, the cast of characters decked out in Christmas sweaters, and even the general aroma of the place. Just imagining the amount of work involved with decking the halls of the Magic Kingdom is staggering.

It was with much excitement though that we made it. After a full breakfast at the Original Pancake House we trolled a few blocks south and west to our destination. Lo and Behold, it wasn't that crowded at all. Which is quite a surprise given the holiday hype that abounds in their marketing. Yes, it abounds. There's a general Christmas assault on billboards, commercials, everywhere. What's more amazing is that the feeling comes off as sincere once you step inside. People are somehow friendlier and more helpful than usual. In a way, it's strange, but appealing.

We did manage to hit the new Finding Nemo submarine overhaul, which was a pretty cool integration with new technology and old, the revised Pirates of the Caribbean (now with more Johnny Depp), and the Jack Skellington infused Haunted Mansion. Space Mountain was lacking the Red Hot Chili Peppers, but was again as awesome as usual. Is it nostalgia that makes Disneyland this fun, or is it really that entertaining?

Nevertheless, it did inject me with a scant bit more Christmas spirit and did remind me that I do enjoy going there every now and then. Will I regain Annual Pass status? Who knows? What I do know is I will always be back.

If anything, I'm going back for a turkey leg and fries. Yee-haw.