Published in TV Reviews

Just as the serene and darkly beautiful drizzle and glow of autumn convince me Halloween is my fave holiday - ranking after my bday, of course - December sprinkles its silvery-whte skies with a magical mélange of cinnamon, fairy dust and smiles, convincing me that, now, Christmas is my fave holiday. Okie dokie, December! You win! No more Pumpkin Spice lattes; 'tis now time for Egg Nog lattes! ~Homer Simpson-style drool~ What could be more glorious than the Holidays? If you know Moi, only one answer reigns: Holidays at Disneyland Resort! At Christmastime, Disneyland Resort is vibrantly festooned with fresh designs, décor and delight ... including our famous, rollerskating snowflakes! Whether you prefer California Adventure, Disneyland Park or simply a leisurely date at Downtown Disney, Disneyland Resort in Anaheim proffers whatever you need to get your holiday cheer rolling. 

Entering California Adventure Park, you'll step into 1920s California on Buena Vista Street, with its classic, festive, Christmas overlay. Seasonal entertainment inside CA runs a wide, winter, multicultural spectrum: from the Disney Festival of Holidays to Disney ¡Viva Navidad!; from Mater's Jingle Jamboree hoedown and Luigi's Joy to the Whirl roadsters, in Cars Land to Santa's Holiday Visit at Redwood Creek, at Grizzly Peak.

Across the path, at the original Disneyland Park, you'll swoon with the truest, childhood glee, taking in all the Disney traditions of Holiday Time. A Christmas Fantasy Parade and It's A Small World Holiday will set your young heart aflutter. The bedazzling lights of Sleeping Beauty's Castle, Main Street and New Orleans Square will set your soul to sing. Thrilling those of us whom love Halloween as much as we love Christmas, Haunted Mansion Holiday delivers the perfect winter chill up your spine, with a charmingly sinister The Nightmare Before Christmas overlay. Making Christmas! Making Christmas! Snakes and mice get wrapped up so nice!

Both Parks, of course, will thrill you to your jingled toes with bright-lights spectacle: Believe ... in Holiday Magic fireworks at Disneyland, and World of Color - Season of Light fountain and laser show at California Adventure. Holiday décor, seasonal yummies and acres of magical merriment and finery wait eagerly to cloak you in good cheer and sheer joy, all across Disneyland Resort.

Do yourself a huge favour, by the way. Get at least one day of holiday shopping in with Mickey and Walt. If you're not close to any Disney Parks, or, maybe you are close, but don't want to pay $150+ addendum to your holiday shopping, or commit to an annual passport, no worries, kittens! For those near a Park, Downtown Disney shopping and dining districts, in both the Golden and Sunshine States, will feed your Disney holiday needs, sans the hefty admission fees. Fortunate enough to reside in fab metropoli of Europe or Asia? Lucky you! Tokyo, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Paris all have Parks for holiday indulgence. If all else fails, dear reader, a visit to your local mall's Disney Store can provide a travel-size portion of IRL Mickey cheer. Not even near a mall, you say? Hmm. Wow. Well, lemme a minute. Ah! ShopDisney.com whilst binging on Disney+ should get the job done nicely.

Remember, holiday shopping is not just about the buying; it's about the feel-good festivity of the day. The browsing, the strolling, the atmos and the hot cocoa, spiced cider and egg nog lattes can make even going home with one, twee gift feel like you've conquered Chrstmas, or one day of Hanukkah. (IMHO, going into New Year's debt over presents is unsavvy. Savvy? It really is the thought that counts. True, Disney may not be the least expensive brand; but there are plenty of goodies throughout the Resort under $25 with a beautifully unique and personal factor, especially for those fellow Disney-geeks on your lists. Enjoy the season for yourself, as well as those you love so dearly ... and, save some Earth monies to buy an Annual Passport for the New Year!) 

Whether it's precious alone-time - do not underestimate the joy of Disney meandering by oneself - or a special day with a good pal, whether it's a Disney jaunt with a lovey-dovey or a tiny loved one, Disneyland Resort provides everything your modern senses require for the perfect holiday season. Disneyland is for fun, friends and family. Who knows what next year may bring? You owe it to yourself. Be happy! Be merry! Be kind! Go to Disneyland!

Haunted Mansion Holiday, Disneyland Park. Photo: Loren Javier

 

Published in Recent Posts

Ah, home for the holidays! It’s a dilly of a time to throw your hands up and be the kid again: no responsibilities, no worries, no tasks, no requirements. Just sit back on the old brocade divan and wait for Mom to bring you truffles and a cup of Privateer eggnog, your older brother to slip you a sawbuck or two (plus some extra whiskey in your nog) and for Dear Old Dad to question you about what you’re doing with your money. For my part, Dad’s been asking me the same question for decades and for decades, I’ve been giving him the same answer: “Why, it’s all in my closet, right where it belongs!”

 

Now, it’s supposed to be darn cold this Christmas in Boston. Seems like it’s always cold in Boston and that’s why I made like a baby and headed straight out of there, getting myself to sunny California. Plus, I wanted to get into moving pictures. Did some good stuff, too. Ever see Gold Diggers of 1933? Yep, that’s me in the back, the one high-kicking in the sequined bathing suit. Nice gig, but Joan Blondell stole my part. Heifer. That cement mixer couldn’t dance to save her life. I should have had the lead. That’s all right ‘cause she had to put up with that octopus director. All those hands! He had more moves than a Navy brat. I digress. Anyhoo, like a lot of you this holiday season, I’m homeward bound and it’s a big deal for me!

First, I'm leaving my haunt, which I don't do very often: The Hotel del Coronado in gorgeous, vibrant San Diego. Ever visited? Make a ressie! There's no place like The Holidays at The Del! From Thanksgiving dinner at the famous Crown Room, to Skating by the Sea and cozy fire-ring cocktails overlooking the Pacific, it's the bee's knees, kids! (Brief bio, in case you're curious: Just after I moved out here, wouldn't it figure, I died at The Del, in a dancing incident in 1934, and it was all Ida Lupino's fault. She has no natural rhythm, all flailing arms. We still don't talk. Oh, well. At least I died sporting sequins and rhinestones and some dynamite gams!)

Secondly, despite what you living folk might think, we ghosts only get a couple of times a year when we can leave our haunts. It takes bonkers amount of energy to travel; so, we save up our strength, pretty much like you save up your cabbage, and hit the astral planes. It’s exhausting and can take all day to get across this great big country. Sure, it’s easier than enduring one of your modern flights, but it’s still arduous. Mom and Dad don't like to astral project; they're used to propeller planes, from back in their flying days. (See Mom and Dad in lg pic above, w plane.) So, I don't mind making the trip.

Once the travel day is over and we’re Home Sweet Home, it’s a cozy and comfy class act with little to do except eat, drink and exchange pressies. Cocooning at home plate can be a sweet dish, but it can also come with drawbacks, like forgoing some of those modern conveniences you dig everyday … including the Internet. Wacky, right? Some of you are getting a Christmas sans Internet and don't even realize it, yet. You poor saps. Some parents and grandparents are insistent on collecting those devices or forcing you to turn them off, making certain you all visit properly, ensuring "quality family time" and conversation. Even worse, some will force family-time via Dance, Dance or Alexa-games. 

You think you have it bad, being forced to watch cable TV or compete in Dance, Dance, booze-free, with Grandmama? Try watching your parents foxtrot around the parlor. Dr. Harvey & Hildy are still listening to their old Victrola and beeswax cylinders, making me sit through verse after verse of Yale Boola!, Glow-Worm (in German!), and The Bird on Nellie’s Hat, all whilst viewing the same stereoviews I’ve seen for decades. Bonkers! Don’t worry, fair friends; there are solutions. Yes, most include gin. Ever have a Girlie Martini? No, not Dita von Teese in a giant martini glass … although, yum! A Girlie is equal parts champagne, vodka, a splash of vermouth and a maraschino cherry. Christmas is an excellent time for just such a zinger!

In the end, try to remember it’s family time. If sitting in the tiny house your nonagenarian great-uncle has lived in since the Great War, and consistently heats to eighty-eight degrees, in addition to a roaring fireplace, drives you mad, be patient. When your sister-in-law hands you an apron and expects you to help in the kitchen, even though she knows you don't ever do anything in the kitchen except craft cocktails and make espresso, be kind and oblige. When your neice's boyfriend has no problem telling everyone their political opinions are flat-wrong, just smile and pour another drink.

Ghost-families are no different than yours; they're all equally irritating and annoying ... I mean, fun and annoying. In those family moments, when you realize it's still hours before escaping into town with your beloved and a fave in-law or sibling for cocktails and revels, and you're all sitting around in sweltering silence, staring at each other and picking compulsively from bowls of stale nuts and hard candy …. well, that’s just "quality family time" and you're making someone in that room very, very happy. Drink your Girlie Martini, your Guinness, your I.P.A. or Coppola wine, suck on a pecan and appreciate it in all its absurdity. See you kittens later and enjoy those après-family gatheriings!

Happy Holidays! Abyssinia!

Enjoy craft cocktails? Peruse JennyPop's Festive Libations for The Holidays!

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Published in Miss Hannah Hart