Christmas at Disneyland Paris
Page 9 of 14
Christmas Main Street Electrical Parade
Several years ago, Vasile Sirli hit upon the idea of making a festive version of the
classic MSEP that has run at the park since its debut in 1992. The arrangement of the
Fanfare and Baroque Hoedown of Don Dorsey was intermingled with the refrains of Jingle
Bells, White Christmas and Petit Papa Noel. The whole mix is truly magnificent and is
reminiscent of the it’s a small world holiday makeover by Steve Davison (I wonder if
this is where he got the idea? - answers on a postcard, please!). The parade itself is
unchanged and is identical to the standard version that runs throughout the summer season
at DLP.
I would suspect that if the Electrical Parade has any life left in it past the summer season at Disney’s California Adventure then Anaheim residents can expect to hear the beautiful Christmas arrangement in their neighbourhoods beginning next November. This could be the last year that DLP runs the Christmas alterations as Fantillusion is currently being housed in the area behind Discoveryland. Cast members have alleged that the new parade will not debut in 2002 as originally promised but will kick-off in late 2002 or 2003 once the new Studios has settled into its role as the sister park. Currently, there are no plans for any parades at the Studios, and many have suggested that the MSEP could be moved over to the new park to ensure crowds hang around into the evening, a premise used at Disney’s California Adventure. I’m still hopeful that Tokyo Disneyland’s "reject" parade will debut next year. I digress......
Castle Stage
The Castle Stage has been home to Winnie the Pooh and Friends for several summer
seasons now, but during the bitter winter months, this outdoor ampitheater gives way to
Santa. The 100 Acre Wood is still visible as the backdrop but the cardboard cut-out trees
have snow on their upper branches and the centre of the stage is given over to a sleigh.
For three hours every day, Santa allows nice children to sit next to him in his sleigh
while both their parents and the official Disneyland photographers take their photos as a
souvenir of their visit.
The Castle Stage which is usually home to a Winnie the Pooh show is converted
into Santa' home during the Christmas season
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Another view of the Stage with the Castle behind
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Character Greetings
DLP has always had the highest proliferation of characters wandering the park, and
this is never more acutely aware than during the Christmas season. With the character
trees in the Enchanted Forest, throughout the day the decorators can be found either next
to their proud creations or at Town Square. In addition, the small alcove set back on the
left of Main Street beyond the Refreshment Corner is especially adorned with Christmas
trees and presents for character greetings. Each character is naturally dressed for the
winter months, although usually this is merely a white, green and red scarf.
A Festive Mickey Mouse
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A Festive Pluto
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