SoCal Theme Parks usher in the Holiday Season

with BIG shows and new attactions

Wow! Are the holidays already approaching?!?! Yes, they are nearly upon us, and despite what feels like an earlier arrival every year, you must admit, it brings a smile to your face as we begin to see evidence of the holiday spirit all around us. We’ve visited theme parks throughout Southern California to see what they have in store for your family this season, and we think you’ll agree, there’s fun and festivity around every corner! Take a moment and read on because you’ll want to grab your kids and jump in the car. The good news is, they are so close and accessible that you can visit each one we’ve featured. We wish you happy family time during the holidays!

Holiday Season Makes Spirits Brighter for Celebrations with Family and Friends at Disneyland Resort/ When it comes to celebrating the magic and sparkle of the holidays with friends and loved ones, there’s no place like the Disneyland Resort where, from November 13 through January 3, the holidays will shine more brightly than ever.

Guests will enjoy the return of the Disneyland Resort’s most popular offerings, including special holiday versions of “it’s a small world” and Haunted Mansion, along with colorful holiday décor and a nightly snowfall on Main Street, U.S.A. Disneyland.com

Other holiday highlights at Disneyland will include the traditional snowdrifts and icicles adorning Sleeping Beauty’s Winter Castle. After dark a sensational holiday lighting and special effects show will carry the magic of the holidays from the Castle all the way to the Christmas Tree in Town Square. The Disneyland Christmas Tree is specially designed to present a nightly holiday light show like no other with more than 62,000 energy-efficient LED lights.

Themed entertainment, sparkling decorations and tasty treats add festive warmth to holiday fun at both Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure. Guests will also be able to book guided holiday tours that provide entry into the “it’s a small world” holiday and Haunted Mansion Holiday, reserved seating for the Disneyland “A Christmas Fantasy” parade, a keepsake remembrance, and entertaining information about the history behind Disneyland holiday traditions. For information and reservations, visit Disneyland City Hall or call 714.781.4400.

SeaWorld and Shamu Celebrate with Special Holiday Spirit/ Shamu and friends invite all So Cal visitors to come and share the wonder, delight and joy of SeaWorld’s Holiday Celebration on November 27–29, December 5–6, December 12–13 and December 19–31. Only SeaWorld can offer this kind of unique holiday experience, featuring special shows “Shamu’s Holiday Night” and “Clyde and Seamore’s Night Before Christmas.” The nightly lighting of Southern California’s largest Christmas tree is a beloved tradition at SeaWorld and is the highlight to the festive décor found throughout the park. 

SeaWorld happily features several brand new attractions this year, including an ice skating rink. What better way to enjoy the holiday season! Also, your kids will definitely want to visit the “Letters to Santa” area where they can send their holiday wishes to Santa. “The Polar Express 4-D Experience,” a multi-sensory experience featuring snow, fog and wind effects at the park’s Mission Bay Theater. This much loved holiday story is loved by children and adults alike, and its 4-D medium enhances the experience all the more. You won’t want to miss it.

Of course, Santa will be part of the festivities as well, with photo opportunities on select dates at Wild Arctic and as part of Breakfast With Shamu and Santa (reservations required).  For reservation and park information call 800.25.SHAMU or visit www.seaworldsandiego.com.

Holiday Treats In Store for the Animals at Aquarium of the Pacific:
In celebration of the holiday season, Scuba Santa will be delivering an ocean of gifts to the Aquarium of the Pacific’s sea otters, seals, sea lions, birds, fish, and other animals. The Seal and Sea Lion Habitat will be decked out for the “sea”son with “fishmas” treats, the sea otters will savor candy cane-shaped treats, and much more. Scuba Santa and the marine life at the Aquarium will heighten your family’s holiday spirit, no doubt!

The animals are not the only ones celebrating; families can enjoy holiday music, crafts, special presentations, unique photo opportunities, shopping, and more. Guests can also watch Scuba Santa as he makes special appearances at the nearly three-story tall Blue Cavern exhibit during the Holiday Treats for the Animals weekend on Saturday and Sunday, December 5 and 6, from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach. For more information, call 562.590.3100 or visit www.aquariumofpacific.org.

It’s A Multitude of Scientific Merriment at Discovery Science Center

This fall, Discovery Science Center in Santa Ana gets an early start on the season when Head to Toe: All About Your Body opens on October 10 and runs through January 3. Explore the science under your skin with this exciting and informative fall exhibition. Zooming in on five interesting body topics, Head to Toe highlights skeletons, organs, the senses, keeping healthy and general body facts. Interactive activities include: examine X-rays and learn to distinguish broken bones from healthy ones, inspect real animal skulls to discover which animals have a strong sense of smell and which have binocular vision, and experience how hard it is to perform a simple task while wearing goggles that mimic the impairing influence of drugs or alcohol.

Opening November 2 and located on the second floor in The Green Earth Theatre, Science On a Sphere (SOS)® is a room sized, global display system that uses computers and video projectors to display planetary data onto a six foot diameter sphere, analogous to a giant animated globe. Animated images of atmospheric storms, climate change, and ocean temperature can be shown on the sphere, which is used to explain complex environmental processes, in a way that is simultaneously intuitive and captivating.

Beginning November 23, inside the kitchen, much more is going on than pouring and mixing - it's science at work! Discovery Science Center's The Science of Gingerbread exhibition features hands-on kitchen science activities, decorating demonstrations and award-winning gingerbread houses on display. Who knew science could be so tasty? Don't miss the chance to enter the annual gingerbread competition for fabulous prizes!  For information, call 714.542.2823 or visit www.discoverycube.org.

LEGOLAND Boasts Largest Holiday LEGO® Tree

Your children will be awestruck as the world’s largest holiday LEGO® tree lights up LEGOLAND® California at the park’s annual tree lighting ceremony on Monday, November 30 at 5:30 p.m. Special celebrity guest Tori Spelling and one of the hottest children’s entertainment groups, The Jumpitz, will be on hand to commemorate and celebrate! More than 245,000 DUPLO® bricks create the 30-foot-tall tree which is displayed during Holly Jolly Holidays the entire month of December. A LEGO Santa and two reindeer are featured, along with a new musical “Let it Snow” and nightly fireworks Dec. 26 – 31. Designed for children 2 to 12, the family theme park has more than 60 rides, shows and attractions. Holly Jolly Holidays activities included with regular admission (kids 3 – 12 and Seniors 60+ $55; Adults $65). For hours and information, call 760.918.LEGO or visit www.LEGOLAND.com.

Its Knott’s Merry Farm for the Holidays

Knott's Berry Farm will magically transform into Knott's Merry Farm this holiday season with fantastic entertainment, spectacular decorations, including a 65 foot tall Christmas tree, and a colorful Christmas parade starting Thanksgiving Day. The "Spirit of the Season" parade is a Christmas celebration with seven elaborately themed floats featuring the Peanuts gang and accompanied by a local dance group.  Also in the spirit of the season, Knott's Merry Farm is proud to present the ice spectacular, "Snoopy's Cool Christmas." The show, performed in the Charles M. Schulz Theatre, is hosted by the famous skating Beagle and features Knott's ensemble skaters, dazzling sets, colorful costumes and plenty of surprises.

Knott's 1880s Ghost Town will again be transformed into Knott's Christmas Crafts Village, inviting guests to explore one-of-a-kind treasures created by more than 100 artisans in a Victorian holiday wonderland.  And don't miss live performances of Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" and O'Henry's "A Gift of the Magi" in the Bird Cage

Theatre. More information can be found at www.knotts.com.