Happy Cyber-Monday, hopefully everyone has recovered from Thanksgiving and is ready to take on the few remaining weeks until Christmas.  David “Darkbeer” Michael is taking a couple of weeks off from his “Monday in the Parks” blog, but we’d like to thank Fishbulb, Rixter, and Dustysage for rounding up today’s Southern California Theme Park update for you.

It is a magical time of year for the parks.  With the holidays upon us, there is a bevy of excitement, events, shows, decoration, and attractions for you and your family to enjoy at all of the southern California parks.

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Disneyland Resort

Disneyland is entering its busiest season of the year.  Not only are the holiday’s the most beautiful season for the resort, it is also one of the most active seasons, with special versions of classic attractions, holiday parades, fireworks, holiday food, and lot’s of shopping.

Disneyland Holiday Merchandise

SPECIAL HOLIDAY OFFERINGS - Now until January 4th

Christmas Fantasy Parade - Nightly at Disneyland

Believe in Holiday Magic - Fireworks nightly at Disneyland

Small World Holiday - newly restored after a year long renovation.  Located at Disneyland.

Haunted Mansion Holiday - the Haunted Mansion is remade for the holidays under the inspiration of the Nightmare Before Christmas.  Located at Disneyland.

Santa’s Reindeer Roundup - Petting Zoo, Cookie Decorating, Crafts, Santa, and holiday fun.  Located at Big Thunder Ranch at Disneyland.

Santa's Reindeer Roundup

Walt’s Apartment:

Have you always wanted to tour Walt Disney’s apartment at Disneyland but don’t have the clout to get a personal tour?  Here’s something fun, over on OCRegister.com, they are featuring an interactive multimedia tour of Walt’s apartment above the Main Street Fire House:  Link to OC Register Walt’s Apartment Tour

Disneyland Resort Park Hours for this week:

MON Dec 1st through THUR Dec 4th
Disneyland Park 9:00 am - 8:00pm • Disney’s California Adventure 10:00 am - 6:00 pm

FRI Dec 5th through SUN Dec 7th
Disneyland Park  8:00 am - 12:00 am • Disney’s California Adventure 10:00 am - 9:00 pm

Link to park hours for future weeks

UPCOMING SPECIAL EVENTS

Candlelight procession and ceremony Dec 6th, Dec 7th
The DIsneyland Candlelight procession and ceremony will be held on Saturday Dec 6, and Sunday December 7th. There will be 2 ceremonies each day at 5:30 and 8 pm in Town Square.

The weekend of the Candlelight Procession is generally very crowded and, if you plan to visit the parks during that time, you will need to plan accordingly. Rides will have longer waits and seating for the resort restaurants may be next to impossible to get. We recommend wise use of the fast pass system and calling Disney Dining to make priority seating arrangements at (714) 781-3463.

While Candlelight is now sold out, the procession can be viewed on a limited viewing basis for those willing to wait around the edges of the viewing location (near the Main Street Train Station).

Lighting towers and construction work in preparation for Candlelight

Olszewski Release - December 13th, 9am -11am - Disneyana on Mainstreet

Robert Olszewski is releasing two new pieces on December 13th - Dumbo the Flying Elephant ($295.00 plus Tax).  And a new “Gallery of Light” piece inspired by the Nightmare Before Christmas titled  “Jack and Sally Embrace” ($80 plus Tax).

The pieces will also be available online starting December 2nd online at the Disney Gallery Website or discuss the event on MiceChat - Link HERE

Shag Cocktail Reception: Saturday, August 8, 2009 at Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel (The event is oddly NOT located at the Haunted Mansion).  For more information, please visit the Disney Gallery Website or discuss the event on MiceChat HERE: LINK

Shag Haunted Mansion Release and Signing:

Sunday, August 9, 2009 - Disneyana Shop on Main Street at Disneyland - Disney Gallery Website

Haunted Mansion 40th Anniversary Merchandise Event:

“Spirited Séance” - Haunted Mansion seminar, Wedding Feast or Famine Dinner, Spine-tingling, Toast & Cake Slicing at the Haunted Mansion attraction, Ride through the Haunted Mansion Attraction, Haunting Photo Opportunity, Opportunity to purchase 40th Anniversary Haunted, Mansion themed merchandise via Random Selection Process., Commemorative Gifts
Wedding Favor, TWO (2) “Depart”ing Gifts - Early Demise Offer: Guests that register through February 28th only, will receive an “early demise” pin.

Reservations for the Dearly Departed package for the Haunted Mansion 40th Anniversary Event will be accepted only via www.DisneyGallery.com beginning Wednesday, January 21, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. (Pacific Time).  There is also a discussion on MiceChat-  Link HERE

Disneyland Food and Wine Festival - April 24th- June 7th 2009 - Save the date - More information will be available soon.

SPECIAL OFFERS

Kids Fly Free! - Book a Disneyland Resort vacation between now and March 18, 2009 for travel dates from January 7, 2009 through June 17, 2009, arriving no later than June 15, 2009 - and Alaska Airlines will liven up your celebration by offering one free child’s airfare on select flights for each paid adult traveling with your party. Offer Details HERE. Block out dates for this promotion: 2/12/09-2/16/09, 2/20/09-2/22/09, 3/20/09-3/23/09, 03/27/09 - 03/30/09, 4/3/09-4/6/09, 04/10/09 - 04/13/09, 5/22/09 and 5/25/09.

CELEBRATE THE SEASON WITH A 4TH NIGHT FREE - Enjoy a fourth night free when you purchase a three-night Disneyland Resort Good Neighbor Hotel vacation package.  Offer available for arrivals at the Disneyland Resort from now through December 11, 2008.  Vacation much be booked by December 9th and travel completed by December 15th, 2008.  Full offer details HERE.  Plus receive these special Resort benefits:
• 3-Day Park Hopper® Theme Park Tickets for up to four Guests
• One Mickey’s Toontown Morning Madness**: Enjoy fun and games with Mickey and pals before Toontown opens (includes one Scavenger Hunt map per person)†
• One Magic Morning Admission***: Enter Fantasyland one hour before Disneyland® Park opens†
• Downtown Disney® District Fun Card: Receive even more savings and values at select locations
• Preferred seating at select attractions in Disney’s California Adventure Park
• EXCLUSIVE! Walt Disney Travel Company collectible pin, lanyard and luggage tag (one per person)

Everyone Plays Flor The Kids Price - Southwest Airlines is offering special Disneyland packages with savings of up to $239 at the Disneyland® Resort! Everyone Plays for the Kids’ Price.  Book a flight + hotel package of three nights or longer to the Hotels of the Disneyland® Resort or at select Anaheim area properties and celebrate with savings of up to $164 on Disneyland® Resort Park Hopper Bonus Tickets.  Purchase an adult 3-Day or longer Disneyland® Resort Park Hopper Bonus Ticket for the price of a Child 3-Day or longer Disneyland® Resort Park Hopper® Bonus Ticket.  Plus, save an additional $75 per reservation by using promotional code DISNEYLAND.  Packages must be booked at least five days prior to departure before 6 pm Central Time.  Book: 11/28/08 - 1/1/09 and Travel: 1/1/09 - 4/26/09.  Five-day advance purchase required. www.swavacations.com

The Happiest Turkeys on Earth

Black out dates for annual pass holders for December 2008

SoCal Select: 6,7,13,14,19-31st

SoCal:6,13,19-31st

Deluxe: 20th-31st

Premium Pass: No Black outs

RIDE CLOSURES AND REFURBS:

Big Thunder Mountain (Disneyland) - Dec 1st -5th

SunWheel (California Adventure) Now-Mid April 09

Games of the Boardwalk (California Adventure)

OPENING THIS WEEK AT GARDEN WALK:

Dec 15th - Mrs. Fields and Tacone Flavor Grill

Dec 16 - Madison and Company (Fine jewelry and vintage watches) and Fuzziwigs candy company

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KNOTT’S BERRY FARM

Just around the river bend from Disneyland is Knott’s Berry Farm, which transforms itself every winter into Knott’s Merry Farm.  This year, there is much for guests to enjoy

Christmas Crafts Village

Guests can stroll through the old-fashioned Christmas crafts town as carolers serenade them. The village features handcrafted gifts from over fifty Artisans.

“Snoopy’s Cool Christmas” on Ice

Dec. 5-7, 12-16, 18-24, 26-30, 2008? at 1:00, 3:00 & 5:00 PM (adding 7:00 PM on Saturdays).
The show is performed in the 2,100-seat Charles M. Schulz Theatre and is hosted by the famous skating Beagle.  Snoopy on Ice features Knott’s ensemble skaters, dazzling sets, colorful costumes and plenty of surprises for the family to enjoy.

“A Christmas Carol” or “The Gift of the Magi”

Thanksgiving Day through Christmas Eve
Daily performances of the Charles Dickens’ classic located in the Bird Cage Theatre.

A Peanuts Holiday Parade

Nov. 27-30; Dec. 5-7, 12-14, 20-23, 26-30,2008 and Jan. 1-3, 2009.  Seven elaborately themed floats featuring the Peanuts gang and accompanied by students from Orange County Song and Dance Company.

Santa Claus

Don’t forget to stop by Mrs. Knott’s Chicken Dinner Restaurant in the Garden Room for a little one-on-one with the big guy. Here, in Santa’s cozy hideaway, kids can share their wishlists with St. Nick. Dec. 6, 13, and 20 from 7:30 am to 11 am - Children 3 - 11 $8.95, Adults $11.95

http://www.knotts.com/index.shtml

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UNIVERSAL STUDIOS HOLLYWOOD

It is snowing everywhere in LA this year.  Universal Studios Hollywood invites you to come play in the real snow.  They are also bringing back the popular Grinchmas - a Dr. Suess inspired holiday.

Meet the Grinch and take your photo for a one-of-a-kind holiday memento

Winter Playground filled with real snow

See Whoville come to life on the Studio Tour backlot

Family fun activities including holiday cookie decorating

Nightly tree lighting ceremony at the 40-foot Whoville Tree

Weekends starting December 6 and Daily from December 30 - 31

Southern California residents enjoy $18.00 off General Admission.  You can save $18.00 online only -  Link to Discount Tickets HERE

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SEA WORLD SAN DIEGO

SeaWorld San Diego is presenting a Holiday Celebration for a second year and has added several dates and attractions to the event.  SeaWorld’s Holiday Celebration is presented weekends December 6-14, and daily December 20-31.

Shamu’s Holiday Night Show - Shamu and friends celebrate Christmas with music and merriment, including live musicians and special choreography for Shamu.

Clyde and Seamore’s Night Before Christmas - our favorite sea lion spoofers have a good time with their own holiday traditions.

Holiday decorations - SeaWorld shines with holiday finery, including large scale photo arrays of our animals celebrating Christmas in their own way, photo “postcard” backdrops and a 30′ Christmas Tree centerpiece.

SeaWorld’s Skytower Tree of Lights - lights up each night at about 6 p.m. Featured attractions - our Christmas Tree Lot returns.

Animal appearances - live animal visits with up-close opportunities at Entrance Plaza stage and other areas around the park.

Live holiday music - carolers and instrumentalists perform holiday favorites on pathways around the park and the Entrance Plaza stage.

SeaWorld’s Holiday Celebration special animal appearances and live holiday music is presented on Dec. 6, 13, 20 and Dec. 26-31.

Link to more Sea World San Diego Information HERE

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LEGOLAND - San Diego, Carlsbad

There are many famous Christmas trees across the country but there is only one place in the US where you can find a 30-foot Christmas tree made from LEGO bricks.?? The world’s largest LEGO Christmas tree lights up LEGOLAND California on Monday, December 1 at 5:30 p.m. followed by nightly tree lightings until Dec. 24 at 5 p.m.  A selected guest pulls the switch lighting the 30-foot-tall tree built with more than 245,000 DUPLO® bricks.

LEGOLAND Holiday

Holiday Block Party - Come build Holiday memories during our 10th annual Holiday Block Party, December 20 through 30. The Park will be decked out with twinklin’ lights, jolly music and a 30-foot LEGO Christmas tree. Also, enjoy our new nightly fireworks spectacular about holidays around the world at Park closing time December 20 - 30.

Please note the park is closed the first three Tuesdays and Wednesdays of December.

Link To Additional LEGOLAND information HERE

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And that’s the week in theme parks for Southern California.  Do you have an item, news, or event which should be included here?  Let us know at dustysage@micechat.com.  It is our honor to be the number one resource for the discussion of Disneyland and Southern California amusements.  We invite you to join us on the boards and share your thoughts, pictures, reviews, and tips with us on MiceChat.

Want more Disney information?  There are hundreds of active discussions, photos, trip reports, and news items right now on MiceChat.com, Click HERE

Happy Holidays Everyone!

View: Monday Disneyland and Theme Park Holiday Roundup