Correlation Between Loving DL and Loving Christmas?

[ld2]

Like most people who read this forum, I believe I like Disneyland more than the average person. Most people enjoy Disneyland, but, clearly, as evidenced by the wide variety of topics discussed on here, many of us have a deeper appreciation for, and a love of, Disneyland that goes beyond that of the casual guest. We’ve all probably experienced people who seem puzzled by the enjoyment we get out of Disneyland and even some who are outright hostile toward us and the park.

I started thinking the other day as I found myself humming “Deck the Halls” for no apparent reason that my love of Christmas parallels my love of Disneyland. Most people enjoy Christmas to at least a certain extent, but I really love the season. I go all-out when it comes to lighting up our yard, I find myself, as evidenced above, singing Christmas tunes at random times throughout the year, and I always catch myself taking note on the 25^th of each month that there’s only “X” number of months until the big day. As Fall rolls around, I hear people all the time complaining about how early stores are putting out their Christmas items, how commercialized the holiday has become, etc. I don’t argue with these people, but, like my love of Disneyland, I realize that I enjoy the entire Christmas season, and even the months leading up to it, maybe more than the average person. I see this love of Disneyland and Christmas reflected in my three kids (ages 15, 18, 20) and we’ve talked about how they/we enjoy DL and Christmas to a greater extent than a lot of their friends and the population as a whole.

So, what do you think? Is there a correlation between a love of Disneyland and a love of Christmas?

[Sambo]

There is no correlation for me. I love Disneyland way more than the average person as well. I used to love both Christmas and Halloween when I was pre-pubescent. The commercialism has helped to kill both for me. The political crap with "war on Christmas" is the final nail. I celebrate but no longer make a big deal of it. Halloween used to be fun, but now it is a high-pressure month-long commercial extravaganza. It has become oppressive and that has killed it's fun and charm.

Disneyland is still retaining it's magic for me and I am not seeing and end. Even though the entire month of October is now a Halloween blowout and is becoming oppressive. I still tolerate it because...well... I'm in Disneyland!

Disneyland does Christmas well. I am satisfied with it. Wouldn't want it to change. I can still feel the magic of both.

[kevitivity]

None for me either. I usually find the commercialization of Christmas (the packed malls, people fighting over merchandise, etc) quite depressing. Personally, my favorite holiday is Thanks Giving! So much more relaxed, and we celebrate everything we have with family. I love the fall in general too.


Anyhow my wife are going to be at DL today!

[Director_Guy]

I'm pretty Grinch-y when it comes to Christmas: the sugary sweet cheer, the tacky colors, and the god awful COLD (I hate snow). But, I do start unpacking the Halloween decorations September 1st. Could have to do with my morbid personality.

So, I don't think there's a direct correlation.

[DrFink]

I am not a big fan of Christmas and never have been, but I love Disneyland. When I went in 2008 it was the week of Thanksgiving and it was Christmas all around me. The hotel had trees an carolers, the park had Christmas-themed characters, the parades were Christmas themed, etc.. I wasn't all that excited about it but I still had fun.

[girlonawire]

I adore Disneyland...much, much, more than the average bear, that is for sure, but I do not celebrate Christmas and never did as a child. My family did, however, go on our annual trip at Christmas time to Disneyland...and so I think for me, Disneyland is the end all when it comes to holidays....it is my "Christmas" maybe that is why I love it so much.

[kayleigh83]

For me, there's a definite correlation! I love Disneyland, and I love Christmas. I can totally see what you mean! They both have that magic and charm.

[Diznygrl]

I don't know, I've always loved Christmas, and DL definitely enhances my love for Christmas because they do it so darn well, but I don't think the love of one innately correlates to the love of the other. You can hate DL and love Christmas, and vice versa. I can see where you're coming from, though...actually it was my first Christmastime visit to DL that "sealed the deal" for me, so to speak. I mean I always really liked DL before then, but that was the visit where a lightbulb went on in my head and I became completely infatuated (ok, obsessed) with the place.

[Bexington]

I really like christmas. I express it by having a christmas tree that is 1 inch away from touching the ceiling and full of lights and shiny ornaments, decking out the living room, hanging lights in the window and on the patio. I make gingerbread cookies (Failed gingerbread men) and drink eggnog.

Good times! good times

[Uncle Bob]

No

[gatheringrosebuds]

Not necesarily, but I can see what you mean. I do love Christmas. For me, the feeling in the air just changes, and I love all my family traditions. The house always smells like sugar cookies, there's always Christmas music playing, the fire crackling, snow lightly falling, the ornaments on the tree twinkling, the holly and garnish, my mom's insane collection of nutcrackers (we have hundreds). It does bring me to a happy place, sorta how Disneyland does.

I think that the love of both Disneyland and Christmas is similar, how it can be a love that others don't understand but that makes you really happy for reasons you just can't describe, how it can return you to this state of innocence and state of believing in fantasy and magic. The love of one might not mean a love for the other, but I think the feeling that they bring can be very similar.

[Dillamond]

Definitely yes! In many ways, and in the way I celebrate it, Christmas reminds me of Disneyland. Like the previous poster, the air just changes during the holiday season and it definitely helps me cope with post-Disney depression if I don't happen to visiting the parks during the Christmas season! And when you combine Christmas and Disney together? PER.FECT.ION.

I don't think I know any Christmas songs that aren't Disney themed, either. Hmm...let me think....

[chris001]

Like others have said, the whole commercialization of every holiday has made their appeal to me diminish. That being said, I still enjoy Christmas music and start listening to it right after Thanksgiving.

[wave789]

I love Disneyland, but have never celebrated and will never celebrate Christmas. It's just wrong to me. (I don't believe in any gods.)

I enjoy the Christmas season though, due to all the decorations and the packed malls.