Today at Disneyland: Holidays in Disneyland

Disneyland had a terrific program today for Annual Passholders, "Holidays in Disneyland."

I headed out to Disneyland at noon to secure a wristband guaranteeing entry, went home for a few hours and then returned at dusk for the evening program:

Disney historian and artist Stacia Martin hosted the presentation in the Main Street Opera House.

I'd previously seen a presentation Stacia gave at the 2013 Disney Expo on Disney LP album covers; she's not just a Disney employee, but someone who loves all things Disney.

Stacia brought all sorts of fun ephemera to share, including old film footage, brochures, artwork, a record album, and even a Coca-Cola commercial, directed by Oscar-winning cinematographer Conrad Hall. Stacia, who has worked for Disney for 35 years, was there the nights the commercial was made and shared photographs of the filming.

These photos are from Disney's Candlelight Procession. It's possible I'm in the photo at the lower right, as I sang in the ceremony all three years I was in high school. The narrators the years I participated were Ross Martin, Cary Grant (!), and Elliott Gould.

At one time Disney artists and Imagineers were looking at the possibility of bringing winter weather to Main Street U.S.A.; here's how it was envisioned, complete with sleigh:

Alas, they couldn't figure out a way to make it work with Southern California's weather (grin) -- although in recent years there's been "snow" on Main Street in the evenings!

Few places are as beautiful as Disneyland at Christmastime. Just being there lifts the heart.

The Marc and Alice Davis tribute windows:

Town Hall:

Happy Thanksgiving!