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If you are a Flex Annual Passholder at the Disneyland Resort, then yesterday was your lucky day, as the passes were blocked for much of the busy season at the parks.
Luckily, my family and I were able to park hop at both parks yesterday taking in the last few hours of the Christmas season.
Coincidentally enough, today, January 6, is a very important holiday for many Latin American countries as they celebrate “Dia de los Reyes,” (Three Kings Day). It also happens to be the last day that the Disneyland Resort celebrates the holiday season.
From January 3-6, Paradise Gardens located in California Adventures celebrates and honors the Epiphany, which also marks the twelfth day of Christmas. Disney Festival of Holidays offers an array of activities for the whole family to enjoy.
On January 6th, most of Latin America celebrates, in different ways, El Día de los Reyes Magos. The Epiphany, which remembers the day when the Three Wise Men followed the star to Bethlehem, arriving bearing their treasured gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh for the Baby Jesus.
In Mexico, for example, El Día de los Reyes Magos is a more important feast day than celebrating Santa on Christmas Day. On January 5, children place their empty shoe outside their home or near their nativity in anticipation of what the Three Kings will bring for them the morning of the 6th.
During our visit this morning at California Adventure, our children were able to color pages of the Three Kings, as well as make colorful crowns, which included stickers. There is also a photo opportunity to take pictures with the Three King statues.
When I tell you that I was a woman on a mission today… I am not telling a lie that will place me on the naughty list for next Christmas! I was determined to take in all of the festivities both at Disneyland and California Adventures.
It all began with a trip to the Grand Californian to take in the wonderful smells of the yearly traditional gingerbread house. Of the 25 hidden Mickey’s, my daughter and I only found 9…
We also purchased one of the adorable Mickey gingerbread cookies. They are the softest gingerbread cookies I have ever had. It literally melted in my mouth!
We then headed into California Adventure where I could not leave the park without watching the Holiday Toy Drummers. Come the afternoon of the 6th of January, these adorable and entertaining drummers will be returning to Santa’s workshop until the next holiday season.
Another holiday favorite is watching the Disney ¡Viva Navidad! Street Party. There is no better way to celebrate Navidad without celebrating with The Three Caballeros, giant mojiganga puppets, mariachi’s, drummers, and a myriad of samba and folklorico dancers.
We could not leave the Disneyland Resort without visiting it’s a small world with the holiday overlay. This is surely the ride not to miss during your visit!
It warmed my heart as we sailed around the world while the children sang a medley of traditional holiday tunes, which of course also included the song that we tend to get stuck in our heads while riding the attraction!
Additionally, today also marks the last day of the Haunted Mansion holiday overlay, a Christmas fantasy parade, “Believe…In Holiday Magic”, fireworks, and Wintertime Enchantment at Sleeping Beauty’s Winter Castle at Disneyland.
Lastly, over at California Adventures, January 6th will be the last day to enjoy Mater’s Jingle Jamboree, Luigi’s Joy to the Whirl, Buena Vista Street Holiday Lighting, World of Color-Season of Light, and the Festival Foods Marketplace which included 8 different kinds of booths ‘a la Food and Wine Festival.
Come Tuesday morning, many of the beautiful decorations that adorn the parks will magically disappear and the holiday season will come to a close. Sad, isn’t it?
Do you and your family celebrate Three Kings Day? Are you sad for the holidays to come to an end at the parks? Share your thoughts below or on the KtP Crew facebook page.
-Marisol White
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