OC’s largest employer gears up for busiest season with Festival of Holidays

20+ Entertainment Events Across Anaheim Resort

The Disneyland Resort in Anaheim unveiled its annual holiday-themed entertainment, food, and merchandise last month, along with the return of its Festival of Holidays event, as OC’s largest employer gears up for its busiest season of the year. The Festival event, which kicked off in 2016 at Disney California Adventure, returned on Nov. 11 with performances and parades that highlight five different holidays. A variety of entertainers performed throughout the secondary park including Mariachi Divas and the Blue13 Dance Company. Lined up on the right side of the park near Grizzly Peak and stopping short of the pier, festival dining carts serve seasonal dishes and comfort foods from the represented cultures. “As we’ve grown and diversified, we not only go ahead and [celebrate the holidays] through our entertainment and attractions, but we also do it with the food,” Disneyland Spokesperson Eddie Collins told the Business Journal. Dishes include Pork Belly Adobo to Brisket Sliders paired with beverages such as a Churro Toffee Cold Brew Latte or a Guava Melon Lassi for Diwali. Select performances of the Disneyland Fireworks and World of Color will feature a Christmas setting as well. Over 20 different entertainment offerings were launched across the resort, which will run until Jan. 8, when the park sees its most foot traffic. “It’s our busiest time of year, and rightfully so,” spokesperson Stephanie Graves said.

Largest Employer

The holiday events arrive as Walt Disney returns to the top of the Business Journal’s Novemeber list of largest employers in Orange County, with 34,000 employees across Anaheim’s resort, hotels, and downtown district as of November. That’s ahead of the 32,000 employees reported prior to the pandemic. In 2023, the Themed Entertainment Association will present the company’s Parks, Experiences and Products department with three awards for projects from 2022, including the return of the “Main Street Electrical Parade” last April. A live entertainment creative director based at the Disneyland Resort, Susana Tubert, will also receive an award for her work on developing various shows at the Anaheim theme park. The Burbank-based company reinstated Bob Iger as chief executive last month, replacing Bob Chapek, who was named CEO in 2020. The company’s stock is down some 35% over the last year. Iger has agreed to a two-year contract to return to the top post after his previous run as CEO from 2005 to 2020. ■