As we wrap up the Christmas season at Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World Resort, and the international Disney parks, some fans are looking back on the history of the holidays at the theme parks.
Disneyland Resort is home to festive offerings like A Christmas Fantasy Parade, “Believe…In Holiday Magic” fireworks over Sleeping Beauty Castle, and the International Festival of the Holidays at Disney California Adventure Park.
These are available to all guests, unlike at Walt Disney World Resort, where select holiday activities are exclusive to Disney Jollywood Nights and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.
Christmas is historically the busiest time of the year at the Disney parks, and 2024 was no exception. To celebrate the season, TikTok duo @themouselets recently discussed the history of the holidays at Disneyland Park.
@themouselets merry christmas to all!! #disneyland #disneyhistory #disneyfacts #waltdisney
“Walt Disney needed Christmas to save Disneyland,” the TikTokers began. “In 1955, the first year of operation at Disneyland, the first few months saw a lot of success. But then, a heat wave struck in August. Walt would be sitting in the park, looking around, and there was nobody there. Admission was as low as 100 people per day.”
Children returned to school that fall, and theme park attendance continued to flounder. As Walt Disney looked to the future, he saw Christmas as his chance to save Disneyland Park.
“The only issue was, they had almost no money to put into decorations, so they had to keep it very simple,” the TikTokers explained.
Disneyland Park’s first Christmas decorations were simple: a large tree with simple lights and some wreaths. However, Walt Disney insisted on one holiday offering that is still offered today at Disney parks worldwide: a Christmas parade.
“His accountants told him, ‘no way,'” the TikTokers said. “There was no reason to have a parade. These guests were already in the park, and they weren’t expecting a Christmas parade, so why pay for it?”
But Walt told his financial team that the beauty of Disneyland Park was in the things guests didn’t expect. Disneyland Park was saved, and Christmas became intertwined with the magic of the Disney parks.
“That is what kicked off why the holiday season is such a big deal at every Disney park around the world and why you can always find a Christmas parade,” the TikTokers concluded.
What’s your favorite piece of Disneyland Resort or Walt Disney World Resort trivia? Share it with Disney Fanatic in the comments!
