Disneyland kicks off holiday season with new adventure, magic

As 2024 draws to a close, the Disneyland Resort is kicking off its holiday season with fresh experiences and dazzling decor.

From Nov 15 through Jan 6, 2025, visitors to Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure in Anaheim will find themselves immersed in festive cheer with seasonal decorations, themed cuisine and new attractions.

This year's celebration marks the grand opening of Tiana's Bayou Adventure, a reimagined version of Splash Mountain based on Disney's The Princess and the Frog. Located in Disneyland Park's re-themed Bayou Country, the attraction picks up where the film left off, inviting guests to join Princess Tiana, Disney's first black princess, on an enchanting adventure in New Orleans Square.

On Wednesday, members of the media, influencers, travel agencies, and other special guests had the opportunity to preview and celebrate the opening of the adventure, which opens to the public on Friday.

"It's my first time in this area of Disneyland, and it's been such an amazing experience. We're looking forward to experiencing the ride today," visitor Emily Wong told China Daily.

Believe… In Holiday Magic, Disneyland's celebrated fireworks show, returned to Sleeping Beauty Castle on Wednesday night as part of a surprise preview event.

Featuring country singer Kellie Coffey's performance of Remember the Magic, the show combines classic holiday tunes with spectacular fireworks, projection mapping and a "snowfall" that covers the park in wintry charm. For many families, the show has become a cherished holiday tradition.

"My kids grew up with Disney, and we've spent many holiday seasons here. It brings back so many beautiful memories," said Tatiana, a frequent visitor who brought her family to enjoy the show, capture the fireworks on her cellphone, and share the experience on Instagram.

This year, Disneyland Resort's expanded holiday programming includes a variety of experiences celebrating cultural diversity, according to the Disney blog. The Disney Festival of Holidays at California Adventure Park showcases seasonal traditions with live performances, parades and food inspired by Christmas, Diwali, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and Three Kings Day.

For Asian visitors, the event's multicultural offerings resonate with their own holiday traditions, which are often rooted in family, food and celebration.

Additionally, the spectacular display at Sleeping Beauty's Winter Castle—illuminated with over 80,000 twinkling lights and accompanied by "snowfall" in key areas of the park — adds the perfect touch of holiday magic.

"The lights, music, and decorations remind us that the holidays are about family and warmth. It gives us a place where we can feel connected to people from all over the world," said a travel agency representative, who identified himself only as Gary.