{"id":12597,"date":"2015-12-28T15:54:56","date_gmt":"2015-12-28T15:54:56","guid":{"rendered":"\/inspire\/?p=12597"},"modified":"2017-12-11T23:10:56","modified_gmt":"2017-12-11T23:10:56","slug":"guide-celebrating-holidays-cal-theme-parks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.travelocity.com\/inspire\/guide-celebrating-holidays-cal-theme-parks\/","title":{"rendered":"A Guide to Celebrating the Holidays at So Cal Theme Parks"},"content":{"rendered":"

Still in the holiday spirit? It’s not too late to celebrate! We’ve partnered with lifestyle blogger Pattie Cordova from Living Mi Vida Loca<\/a> to discover the best theme parks in Southern California to enjoy the magic of the season. <\/i><\/p>\n

I gotta admit, we\u2019re a bit spoiled around here in Southern California when it comes to theme parks. We have a great round-up that includes family favorites like the Disneyland Resort, Knott\u2019s Berry Farm, LEGOLAND California Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood. It has become family tradition to visit each and every one of these theme parks during the holidays because they all celebrate them in their own unique way.<\/p>\n\"Celebrating-the-holidays-at-Theme-Parks-in-Southern-California\"<\/a>\n

Here\u2019s a quick breakdown on what you can expect at each theme park, just in case you can\u2019t decide where to start.<\/p>\n

Disneyland Resort <\/strong><\/h3>\n

The Disneyland Resort goes all out with their holiday decorations at both Disneyland and Disney California Adventure. My favorite highlight at Disney California Adventure is their special \u00a1Viva Navidad! celebration that has very authentic Mexican vibe with their live music (including mariachi!), delicious Mexican food, crafts and story-telling. It\u2019s also the only theme park where <\/em> is celebrated.<\/p>\n\"reyes-magos-three-wise-men\"<\/a>\n

Disneyland Park has its own must-sees, including the family-favorite, \u201cIt\u2019s a Small World,\u201d decked out for the holidays. The ride is about 12 minutes long and you can see each section celebrating the holidays according to its nationality. Outside \u201cIt\u2019s a Small World\u201d is my favorite spot to watch the Christmas Fantasy Parade. Make yourself comfortable on the benches running along the parade route if you\u2019d rather not sit on the floor. Finally, make sure to stop by the Haunted Mansion and see it transformed into Jack Skellington\u2019s home. This year, the gingerbread house is made to look like a deck of cards. You can\u2019t miss it!<\/p>\n

Holidays at the Disneyland Resort runs November 13, 2015 \u2013 January 6, 2016.<\/p>\n\"christmas-tree-lighting-knotts\"<\/a>\n

Knott’s Merry Farm<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Snoopy and the rest of the Peanuts gang can be seen skating across the ice during their show, \u201cMerry Christmas, Snoopy\u201d held multiple times a day on select dates. This is their second year doing the show, and still a family favorite. Get to the theatre early as there is usually a line at least a half hour before the show starts.<\/p>\n

Another favorite, Santa\u2019s Christmas Cabin, houses all the best holiday foods under one roof, including candied nuts, Snoopy cookies and even adults-only beverages! Make sure to hang out and say hi to Santa. Photos are available for purchase, but you can also use your own camera to capture the moment.<\/p>\n\"carolers-knotts\"<\/a>\n

Finally, make sure to take your time strolling through Ghost Town and take a ride on Engine 41. In Ghost Town, you\u2019ll come across carolers, two special holiday shows at the Bird Cage Theatre, and bandits replaced by old-timey folks on Engine 41.<\/p>\n

Knott\u2019s Merry Farm runs November 21, 2015 \u2013 January 3, 2016.<\/p>\n\"grinchmas-photo-opportunity\"<\/a>\n

Universal Studios Hollywood <\/strong><\/h3>\n

The Grinch pays a visit to Universal Studios Hollywood and sets up his village at Universal Plaza. \u201cGrinchmas\u201d feels as though you stepped into the set of \u201cHow the Grinch Stole Christmas.\u201d Who-ville hosts a special Christmas Tree lot where you can decorate ornaments and trim a tree. Who-ville characters walk around the lot greeting guests and posing for as many pictures as you\u2019d like. And yes, they look exactly like the characters in the movie.<\/p>\n\"grinch-max-universal-studios\"<\/a>\n

The line to meet and take pictures with the Grinch can get a bit long (we waited about an hour), and Front of the Line passes are not accepted for this attraction. The pictures are well worth the wait though. Max the Dog also has his own photo opportunity; his line is a little bit shorter.<\/p>\n

This year, Universal Studios Hollywood is once again giving kids the opportunity to send a postcard to The Grinch telling him three good deeds, and in return, a book will be sent to a child in need. Also, you don\u2019t want to miss the entertainment. It all takes place in front of the wavy Christmas tree (just like in the movie).<\/p>\n

Grinchmas at Universal Studios Hollywood runs December 5, 2015 \u2013 January 3, 2016.<\/p>\n\"legoland-holiday-snow-days-winter-nights\"<\/a>\n

LEGOLAND California Resort <\/strong><\/h3>\n

Holiday Snow Days and Winter Nights brings real snow and German holiday food to this theme park. Most of the holiday-themed attractions can be found at Fun Town, including two spots for snow play. At Fun Town, guests can go sledding, build a snowman with LEGO detail, throw snow balls at targets and take pictures with LEGO characters like LEGO Santa and LEGO Toy Soldier. An enormous 30-foot tall LEGO Christmas Tree is the perfect backdrop for pictures.<\/p>\n\"legoland-carolers\"<\/a>\n

Guests can also participate in the Holiday Village Build in LEGO Clubhouse where daily themes are provided for guests. Maybe you\u2019ll get to add a little cottage to the village! The LEGO Clubhouse also gives you the perfect excuse to hang out a bit longer until you get to experience \u201csnow\u201d falling. If you move a little closer to Heartlake City, you\u2019ll see that the snow there tastes a bit like gingerbread!<\/p>\n

Holiday Snow Days at LEGOLAND California Resort runs November 21, 2015 \u2013 January 3, 2016.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Still in the holiday spirit? It’s not too late to celebrate! We’ve partnered with lifestyle blogger Pattie Cordova from Living Mi Vida Loca to discover the best theme parks in Southern California to enjoy the magic of the season.  I gotta admit, we\u2019re a bit spoiled around here in Southern California when it comes to theme […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":56,"featured_media":12603,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[164],"tags":[183,184],"class_list":["post-12597","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-adventure","tag-southern-california","tag-theme-park"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nA Guide to Celebrating the Holidays at So Cal Theme Parks - Inspire | Travelocity.com<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Where to celebrate the holidays? There's no place like Southern California's theme parks! 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