With Christmas Season Upon Us, Disney Park Closing a Dozen Attractions

Unlike its sister park in Central Florida, Disneyland in California gives fall a little more time to breathe before switching over to the Christmas season. At Disney World, once midnight strikes on Halloween, the parks begin the rapid changeover to Christmas.

However, unlike Disney World, Disneyland doesn’t have to be in a rush to make the transition to Christmas. Disney World has to prepare for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom and Jollywood Nights at Hollywood Studios. Without its own after-hours Christmas party, Disneyland doesn’t have to rush.

The official kick-off to the holiday season at Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure doesn’t start until November 14 and runs until January 7. However, this year, the parks will be missing nearly a dozen attractions as the crowds begin to heat up for the holidays.

Disneyland currently has five rides that are closed for refurbishment: Big Thunder Mountain, Storybook Land Canal Boats, Casey Jr. Circus Train, “Mickey’s PhilharMagic” and “Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln.” In the coming weeks, seven more attractions will join that list, bringing the total up to a dozen rides, just in time for the busiest part of the year.

The seven attractions are: “It’s a Small World”, Redwood Creek Challenge Trail, Davy Crockett’s Explorer Canoes, Sailing Ship Columbia, Pixie Hollow, Paint the Night, and “Fantasmic.” Each one will close temporarily throughout the holiday season for refurbishment or to accommodate Christmas entertainment.

“It’s a Small World” is closing from October 31 through November 13 for its own holiday overlay. When it returns, the iconic ride will be decked out for the holiday season.

The Redwood Creek Challenge Trail will be closed from November 1 to 13 to remove the Halloween-themed Villains Grove Overlay. Paint the Night will close from November 10 through January 7 to accommodate the Christmas activities.

Rivers of America at Disneyland will be a quiet place for the holiday season, with the Sailing Ship Columbia closing from November 2-6 and November 10-13, and “Fantasmic” closing from November 2-6, November 10-13, and November 17-20.

There is some good news for Disneyland guests as the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is expected to return on December 9 after a nearly three-month refurbishment. And guests can periodically see the return of “Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln,” whenever Walt Disney-A Magical Life isn’t working, as happened last week.

Despite the temporary closures, the holidays at Disneyland will be in full swing, and it’s a magical time to be at a Disney Park.

What’s your favorite part of the holidays at Disneyland? Let us know in the comments.