Disneyland Holiday Traditions
As the holidays are upon us, it’s a perfect time to celebrate Christmas at Disneyland. Even though the park will be closed for the first time in 65 years over this yuletide season, Disney Historian Jim Korkis joins us as we take the time to remember the traditions of the “Happiest Place on Earth”. We talk about Babes in Toyland wooden soldiers, of the first Candlelight Processionals and of the Star on top of the Mighty Matterhorn. We find out about the parades, the carolers and the holiday decor. Join us as we celebrate Walt Disney and cherish the heritage of this time of year at the original Disney theme park.
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Disneyland Holiday Highlights
We talk about the rotating and lit star that was held at the top of Matterhorn mountain in the early days of the park. Here Santa is getting it installed. Note the old Tomorrowland at the bottom, which includes the Flying Saucer attraction.
That same Tomorrowland held the Art Corner, which was where Jim got his prized animation kit for. Christmas. The Art Corner was in this building.
Jim references where the original Christmas tree used to be at Disneyland, as well as how it was decorated. You can see the image in the Dell comic book.
These enchanted trees were tied to the Babes in Toyland exhibit that opened at the Opera House the year the film came out. It also introduced us to the wooden toy soldiers that have become a part of Disney Christmas parades for decades since.
Yeah…this is kind of unexplainable, but then as Walt said, “Anything is possible in Disneyland!” We do talk about how the carolers led to a bigger tradition in the parks.
Most people–especially those who’ve only been fans of the event at Walt Disney World–don’t know that the Candlelight Processional was indeed a Processional!
Jim also shares how we got the living Christmas tree, which has been a part of the Disneyland tradition.
I thank Jim for being on our podcast. For more Disney Christmas magic, check out Jim Korkis’s book, The Vault of Walt: Christmas Edition, Volume 7. It’s available on Amazon.
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