A CHRISTMAS FANTASY PARADE
Disneyland Park, daily through Jan. 1; Fri. and Sat. at 4:45 and 8 p.m.; Sun. at 4 and 7 p.m., Mon. at 6 p.m. and Tues.-Thurs. at 4:30 p.m.
Maybe the holiday mood is a contributing factor, but the Christmas Fantasy parade, led by toy soldiers from “Babes in Toyland,” plays to enthusiastic crowds at Disneyland. Characters like the Little Mermaid, Winnie the Pooh, the Beast (from “Beauty and the Beast”), Buzz Lightyear,and the ageless Mickey and Minnie,are scattered throughout, of course; but, like all things Disney, it’s the attention to detail that makes the pageant so endearing. From Santa’s workshop churning out toys on a working assembly line, a mini-Ferris wheel filled with teddy bears, and a Christmas bakery on wheels, to a tiny train engine pulling toys, dancing snowflakes and a Chip ‘n’ Dale snowball fight, the parade elements are loosely linked by “pages” from a Christmas book. And the reindeer contingent that prances along with lolling tongues and a wide-eyed look of surprise is worthy of a particular chuckle as it carries Santa and his sleigh past kids of all ages. Though almost cloyingly cute, the overall display exemplifies the best of Disney. In fact, if Disneyland officials ran this parade year-round, they’d never have to worry about having a hit.
