For the first time since its reopening in January 2024, the recently refurbished Disneyland Hotel is celebrating the holiday season with a blend of traditional décor and storytelling elements.
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Central to this year’s celebration is a festive theme developed by the creative team at Walt Disney Imagineering Paris, titled “The Guards of the Winter Holidays.”
Guests to the Disneyland Hotel can explore decorations that evoke classic holiday charm. In the hotel lobby, guests are invited to discover the “mysterious and ancient book” Book of Time, which is said to hold festive secrets.
According to the story, one night, during the holiday season, when everyone was asleep, wonderful and festive decorations escaped from the book to celebrate this joyful season. Characters also escaped The Book of Time: the Guards of the Winter Holidays, created by the Disneyland Hotel carpenter to celebrate this beloved season. To create these life-size characters out of wood, he took his inspiration from various holiday traditions and in the beauty of the hotel.
These life-sized guards, dressed in costumes echoing those of Disneyland Hotel staff, stand throughout the lobby and rotunda, greeting guests and providing photo opportunities. One guard even holds The Book of Time near the hotel’s grand Christmas tree, while others flank the staircase.
One of the “Guards of the Winter Holidays” in a blue uniform. Source: Disneyland Paris
Sophie Coudré, Set Designer Director for Disney Hotels at Walt Disney Imagineering Paris, shared that the creation of the Guards of the Winter Holidays aimed to establish a “new and unique tradition” for the Disneyland Hotel, hinting that more creations may be introduced in future holiday seasons.
Additionally, hotel guests can experience a new live show developed by the Entertainment team, featuring Tempérence, the Keeper of Time, as she enlists help to complete a magical spell that opens the chapter of the Winter Light. The Guards of the Winter Holidays also encourage guests to explore festive decorations around the hotel, including Christmas ornaments and ribbons carefully selected to harmonize with each area’s color palette, such as pink in the lobby and blue in the rotunda.
Fan reactions to the guard statues on social media have been mixed with Careful_Energy5853 on Reddit writing “Not creepy and big brother like at all” while 1LE_McQueen states “Lot of complaining but I for one love the fact that this move is not attached to IP.” Others expressed their disappointment that the iconic giant gingerbread house has not made a comeback. A newly decorated, grand Christmas tree now presides over the Disneyland Hotel lobby, accompanied by smaller holiday decor placed throughout the property. Subscribe to AirMagique for more updates and news.
Are you planning on visiting the Disneyland Hotel during the holidays? Let us know in the comments below.
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