Disneyland to add holiday elements

A treasure hunt, new Santa location, pajamas and more

The giant Christmas tree on Main Street, U.S.A., is among the returning holiday touches visitors can expect at Disneyland, along with massive gingerbread houses at all three Disney hotels and other seasonal decor. What’s new will be a Santa location at the Fantasyland Theatre, Chip and Dale’s Ornament Trail and other features. Jeff Gritchen — Staff Photographer

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Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy, Goofy and Clarabelle will wear new postal-inspired outfits intended to evoke the holiday spirit of letter writing. Courtesy of Disney

Holiday overlays will return to It’s a Small World and other rides and attractions. Jeff Gritchen — Staff Photographer

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By Brady MacDonald

bmacdonald@scng.com

Disneyland has Christmas down to a science, but that won’t stop the Anaheim theme park from adding a few festive surprises to this year’s lineup of tried and true traditions.

The holiday season returns to Disneyland and Disney California Adventure from Nov. 15 through Jan. 6.

Santa Claus will be a busy elf at the Disneyland Resort. St. Nick will set up shop in a new location at the Fantasyland Theatre in Disneyland for cookie decorating, craft making and storytelling.

The jolly old elf will also be back again taking photos at the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail and at each of Disney’s three hotels.

And if that’s not enough, Santa will ride his sleigh in the finale of “A Christmas Fantasy” parade at Disneyland.

The new Chip and Dale’s Ornament Trail will be in place at Downtown Disney mall from Nov. 22 through Jan. 1. Treasure hunt maps and stickers will be sold for $10 at various shops in Downtown Disney and the Disney hotels. Completed maps can be redeemed for a collectible holiday keepsake.

Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy, Goofy and Clarabelle will sport new, postal-inspired outfits intended to evoke the holiday spirit of letter writing.

Storytellers Cafe in Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel will offer the new Mickey’s Holiday Pajama Party meal with Disney characters dressed in pajama outfits while you feast on holiday-themed breakfast and brunch dishes starting Nov. 19.

To kick off the winter holiday season, on Nov. 15 Disneyland will open the Tiana’s Bayou Adventure water ride, where you will get wet in the rethemed Bayou Country land.

Returning holiday favorites will include a 60-foot Christmas tree on Main Street, U.S.A., massive gingerbread houses at all three Disney hotels and seasonal decor throughout the parks and Downtown Disney.

Disneyland will bring back the “Believe … in Holiday Magic” fireworks show with falling, snowlike “snoap,” while California Adventure will see the return of the “World of Color — Season of Light” water show.

Holiday ride overlays will return on It’s a Small World, Haunted Mansion, Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree and Luigi’s Rollickin Roadsters.

When you get hungry, there will be plenty of holiday food and drinks at the Disney Festival of Holidays and Disney Viva Navidad food festivals.

And if you have any money left, seasonal merchandise will fill the shops in the parks, hotels and Downtown Disney.