Christmas is Coming…to Disney California Adventure 2.0!
Disney California Adventure 2.0 has been the big Disney news story of 2012, and for good reason. Recently, rumors have been confirmed that Cars Land and Buena Vista Street will be receiving lavish Christmas overlays. Temporary light poles are being installed on the right side of the street in Cars Land for, presumably, a Main Street Style garland spread, and each shop will receive decorations unique to the character that runs the shop’s personality. Buena Vista Street will receive period-specific decorations (and if they’re anything like the other Buena Vista Street props, they’ll be amazing) and will be the new home to the Disney California Adventure Christmas tree. This will be a stark contrast to Christmas 2011 at Disney California Adventure, when a Christmas tree in Paradise Pier, giant decorations in ‘a bug’s land’, the Prep & Landing World of Color tag, and this garland at the entrance were the only real signs of Christmas in the park. Of course, the huge change should come as no surprise in what has been a year of huge changes for the ugly duckling turned swan of the US Disney parks.
If you’ve followed this site for a while, you know that I’m a huge fan of Christmas in Disneyland. You also know that I am a huge fan of what Disney California Adventure has become. I think Cars Land (photos) and Buena Vista Street (photos) are two incredibly photogenic lands, and I’m excited about the prospect of seeing these new lands with the added wrinkle of similarly photogenic Christmas decorations. It may sound odd, but I’m almost as excited about seeing Disney California Adventure at Christmas as I am about seeing New Fantasyland!
As of right now, unfortunately, we have no trip planned to Disneyland Resort this Christmas season, and I’m not really sure when we’ll be able to go. During the Christmas season, we have other trips planned, so from a practical standpoint, the only time we could really go is from Friday to Sunday on one of the couple of weekends before Christmas. (Yeah, I know, not going to get any sympathy on this “hardship.”) Thanks to an excellent sale on Southwest and AirTran airfare a couple of weeks ago, we’ll be doing weekend getaways like this to Atlanta and Washington, D.C. in January, but those flights were under $100 roundtrip each, so they were pretty easy to stomach (by the way, if anyone has weekend recommendations for either place, please let us know!) Given the cost of flights and traveling to California in general, though, it’s tough to rationalize a weekend trip to Disneyland Resort. Hopefully something works itself out, but if not, make sure you share all of your Disney California Adventure Christmas photos if you head out there this year so that we can live vicariously through them!
Technical details: Nikon D7000 and Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 Lens. See our Disney Photography Guide for more photography equipment recommendations.
Hey Tom! Heather from Seattle here. I think you took this the day of the ultra ridiculously rainy holiday tour. It took days for my Uggs to dry out. The best fun of the day was spending time with you and Sarah! I’m glad you got some photo time after the deluge stopped.
Hi Heather!
Yes, this was taken that day! I was drenched by the end of the night, but it was completely worth it for the photos once the parked cleared out and all that was left were gorgeous reflections on the wet pavement and a bit of light sprinkles. It was great to meet you, by the way!
Just spent a weekend in DC for our anniversary in September. Had a great time – Smithsonian museums, National Mall and National Archives are a must. Especially enjoyed the National History and Air/Space museums. We also scored a great deal on a hotel through Priceline. Stayed at the Renaissance Hotel on 9th St. Great location close to Verizon Center and lots of restaurants/bars. Only a 15 min walk to Smithsonian. I think we paid $85/night and its newly renovated. Have a great time!
Thanks for the tips. We’ll have to check out that hotel!
As far as DC goes: I’ll second the National Mall/monuments/museums (although for photography purposes, the best time for the monuments, especially the Jefferson, is the spring when the cherry blossoms are in bloom). I’m a big fan of the national gallery–they often have great shows coming through in addition to a fantastic regular collection. I’ve heard great things about the Udvar-Hazy wing of the air and space museum out by Dulles airport, but haven’t made it out there yet. The Spy Museum and the Newseum have admission fees, but also get rave reviews. We also make a trip to the national zoo sometime around New Years most years (the zoo is free, but it costs to park if I remember correctly)–I usually use this visit to break in whatever new camera equipment I’ve gotten over the holidays!
Yeah, I suspect it’ll be just a tad early for the cherry blossoms when we’re there. I would have liked to go later, but unfortunately the deal was only for January. Probably because it’s not a big month for traveling.
You go it! I should have my brand new a77 by then and you can bet I’ll put it through its paces for this Christmas season.
Awesome! Can’t wait to see your photos!!!
I highly recommend grabbing lunch or dinner at Founding Farmers in DC. And if you’re going to be there in December, take the time out to go to the Botanic Garden and check out their Christmas train display. Unless you’re there on Christmas Eve you’ll miss water skiing Santa at the National Harbor, which is one of our favorite things to do!
I will add Founding Farmers to our list of places to visit in DC. Thanks for the tip!
For Atlanta, my wife and I killed an afternoon between the Georgia Aquarium and the World of Coca-Cola, which are across the street from each other and kind of fun (if you like whale sharks and/or that adorable Coke bear, anyways).
For DC, the National Mall and the Smithsonian museums are stereotypical tourist destinations, but we only made it through one of the museums there was so much to see, and they’re free! 🙂
World of Coke and the Georgia Aquarium seem to be the consensus picks for Atlanta. I’ll add those to our itinerary, thanks!