Christmas at Disneyland Paris
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Nighttime on Main Street U.S.A. - Page 1
At night, Main Street U.S.A. is transformed into a true Winter Wonderland. The Enchanted Forest is bathed in soft lighting and twinkling tiny lights inside the Enchanted Forest blink on and off in a random pattern. The Lights of Winter offer their white bulbs to illuminate the guests below. However, the real beauty of the park’s Christmas season does not debut until after sunset at 5:45pm each night. Guests gather in throngs surrounding Town Square awaiting the Tree Lighting Procession to appear. This year, the ceremony has got increasingly complex and far more elaborate than previous years. In past years, the Fab Five would arrive on a Main Street motor and climb the steps of the Main Street U.S.A. train station where they would be joined by carollers and Santa Claus. A short show would follow before the tree would be illuminated. However, guests in front of the station would have no view of the Lights of Winter as the tree obliterates the view of Main Street and the Castle. This year, the six carollers arrive early and appear from the parade step-off point on a new float. The float is typically Victorian in design, like the carollers’ costumes and features two giant music boxes with immense keys protruding from the sides and a revolving statute gracing the front. The vehicle circles Town Square before reaching a halt in front of the tree below the first arch of the Lights of Winter. The carollers proceed to sing a few carols a cappella and climax with Jingle Bell Rock!

As the carollers finish, the announcer confirms the arrival of the Procession that includes Disney characters and Santa in his sleigh. The sleigh is "pulled" by four reindeers (the float itself is motorised) and preceded by a host of dancers and Disney characters dressed in beautiful Victorian winter clothing. The sleigh itself is used during the Nutcracker parade during the day (as described later) but arrives to a different soundtrack. The carollers float returns to the parade step-off point to make way for the sleigh and the slew of dancers and characters. The parade controllers have already selected a child to "switch" on the lights and Santa assists. The lights are by this stage out on Main Street and with a spray of pixie dust from Santa’s hand, the tree’s star alights and gradually in stages and in synchrony to the music, the remainder of the tree glows before Santa turns his hand towards Main Street itself and with another sprinkle of magic dust, the Lights of Winter glow green, red and blue in addition to the white lighting on the framework. The Lights blink in synchrony down Main Street and the ceremony is complete. The grandeur of the ceremony is breathtaking and I for one was glad to see the informal ceremony give way to a different and special show.

Another new debut for 2001 is the Christmas Fireworks. The show itself is simple, but elegant with only silver and gold fireworks being utilised for the festive season. The fireworks are released to a mix of Christmas carols and although not as stunning as Believe.... at Disneyland, the short 5 minute display was a fitting climax to the day at Disneyland Paris.

The lights on the Lights of Winter twinkle in the dwindling light
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The true beauty of the Lights of Winter is only available at nighttime
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The lit tree faces down Main Street U.S.A.
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Another view of the lit tree and the lights above Main Street U.S.A.
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