New Years Eve at Disneyland

This Thursday is what was once one of the busiest nights at Disneyland, although with the blackout dates in effect for all but the premium annual passes, it does not get quite as crazy as it once was.  The park typically hands out party favors and noise makers in the evening hours.  There have been DJs playing different kinds of dance music set up in various locations throughout the park.  Just before midnight, the countdown is projected up onto the side of the Matterhorn.  It's a really fun and safe way to spend New Years Eve, especially knowing that within the walls of Disneyland, there is no alcohol consumption going on around you.

Have a Magical Merry Christmas from Walt's Magic Kingdom

Roy Disney will be missed

For all the mud slinged at Roy E. Disney, there is an awful lot of good that he was often not awknowledged for accomplishing. Let us not forget, that without the actions taken Roy in the 80s, The Walt Disney Company of today would not exist. The company likely would have been broken up into pieces.

The vast library would have gone to one company, perhaps Ted Turner! The theme parks would have been purchased by another company, perhaps Six Flags or Cedar Fair! The studio operations would have probably been wound down and the lot sold off to a foreign company. Somebody that had the rights to the Disney name would have made some half hearted attempts at continuing animation, although those likely would have ended in a similar fate to The Black Calderon.

The Walt Disney Company would probably look like something similar to today's MGM, once great but now not much more than a footnote.

Roy E. Disney was the most important person for the Walt Disney Company, save Walt and Roy O. Disney.

RIP Roy E. Disney

Monday Quote from Mr. Disney

I would rather entertain and hope that people learned something than educate people and hope they were entertained.

-Walt Disney

Snow seen at Disneyland

Disneyland Candlelight Procession

The annual tradition of the Candlelight Procession has occurred at Disneyland since 1958.  Walt Disney World has a more elaborate version that plays nightly throughout December.  At Disneyland it runs one weekend with two performances each night.  Did you know that it is actually considered a private event that just happens to be held publicly in the park?  Walt Disney himself, initiated the tradition.

2009's guest narrator was Jon Voight, who is Jewish, as seen by his appearances in the annual Chabad telethon.  The candlelight procession is a celebration of the holiday season for all.

Disneyland Freshly Made Candy Canes

Homemade candy canes are just one part of the fun holiday traditions at Disneyland.  They have become so popular over the years that you now have to pick up a reserve ticket ahead of time.

According to the OC Register:

This year, the Candy Palace on Disneyland’s Main Street is issuing tickets so park guests can reserve candy canes ahead of time, avoiding the massive lines that mark candy cane day at the Palace every Christmas.

photo (c) LA Times

Disneyland-goers can find out when candy canes are being made by calling a special phone number, updated each Sunday with information about what kind of candy is being made each day that week. The Candy Kitchen Menu line is 714-781-0112.