Holiday Kickoff at Disneyland in November 2017

We made our annual trip to Disneyland in mid-November of 2017 to catch the start of the holiday season. The park was already fully decorated, with Mickey and Donald in festive sweaters and giant Christmas trees on display. The girls got their Minnie Mouse ears on, and we were ready for the day.

It was a bright, sunny day, perfect for hitting the rides. We took a spin on the teacups under the shadow of the Matterhorn before wandering through the park.

The crowds were intense, especially along the main drag—a sea of people and Mickey balloons under a partly cloudy sky. It's always a bit of a shock navigating that many people in one place.

As the sun went down, the park lit up. The sky over California Adventure turned pink and purple, which made for a nice view of the Ferris wheel and coaster over the water. It’s those moments, when the light changes and the park transforms, that tend to stick with you after a long day.