Christmas Magic at Disneyland & California Adventure

Finding our old photos from Disneyland last December brought back some great memories. We had the film developed at Longs Drugs in California, and while the prints turned out great, the digital copies on CD left much to be desired. I probably should have checked them sooner, but better late than never! Regardless of the photo quality, the memories of that magical trip remain vivid.

This was our second time experiencing Disneyland at Christmas. The first was in 1998, the year Jenifer and I got married—before kids, before life got busier. This time, it was all about the boys, and they had the time of their lives. Our weekend started at California Adventure Park with our good friend Celeste and her son, Noah. Celeste, who runs a hugely successful Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory in Ontario Mills, was the local and our guide if you will, and we made the most of it. We explored everything from the thrilling California Screamin’ roller coaster to the immersive Soarin’ Over California ride. The atmosphere was wonderful, with festive decorations and holiday cheer in every corner.

Sunday was dedicated to Disneyland itself, and what a day it was! Pirates of the Caribbean was an instant hit with the boys. The ride had been updated with nods to the film franchise, featuring animatronic Captain Jack Sparrows popping up throughout. The attention to detail was phenomenal—the flickering lanterns, the swaying pirate ships, and the eerie caverns made it feel like stepping straight into the movies. But the real magic came after the ride when we stumbled upon a live Captain Jack Sparrow.

This guy was absolutely spot on. From the way he swayed unsteadily on his feet to his perfectly slurred speech, he was Johnny Depp reincarnated. As we approached, he immediately zeroed in on the Aztec Gold medallions hanging around the boys’ necks. Without missing a beat, he reached for Liam’s medallion, eyes narrowing suspiciously. “Where did you get that?” he slurred, voice dripping with intrigue. The boys were completely enthralled, and I have to admit, so were we. It was one of those rare Disneyland moments where the magic truly came to life.

That trip was one for the books—filled with festive lights, exhilarating rides, and the kind of memories that stick with you forever. Christmas at Disneyland really is something special, and looking back, I wouldn’t trade those moments for anything.