What to expect during Merriest Nites – Orange County Register

One of the highlights of Disneyland show director Jordan Peterson’s career has been bringing the Muppets to Main Street U.S.A. for a Christmas singalong after the beloved puppets largely disappeared from Disney’s Anaheim theme parks several years ago.

“It’s time for them to come home to Disneyland more consistently,” Peterson said by phone. “This is the first step and I hope it’s the first of many appearances.”

The Muppets will be commandeering Disneyland’s double-decker bus for a 9-minute Christmas caroling show during the upcoming Merriest Nites after-hours, separate-ticket holiday events.

“They wanted to come out and sing with guests,” said Peterson, show director on the Muppets Christmas Caroling Coach. “This is their own standalone show.”

SEE ALSO: Will the Muppets move into Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion?

The Muppets are having a bit of a moment right now at Disneyland after they largely faded from the Anaheim parks when the “MuppetVision 3D” show departed Disney California Adventure in 2014.

The debut of “Muppets Haunted Mansion” this Halloween season was accompanied by a behind-the-scenes exhibit on the Disney+ holiday special in the lobby of the Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln attraction at Disneyland. This summer, the Disney Parks blog posted online videos of other Muppets characters with Animal going on a shopping spree in a Disneyland gift shop and Fozzie Bear getting comedy advice from a Jungle Cruise skipper in the park.

“It’s so exciting to get a chance to see them shine in a way that we haven’t seen in a little while,” Peterson said. “It’s perfect to have them back in Disneyland. It’s been too long.”

During Merriest Nites, the Muppets Christmas Caroling Coach will start in Disneyland’s Town Square, head up Main Street U.S.A. and make a quick circle around the hub before stopping for the show between the Plaza Inn and Jolly Holiday Cafe. After the performance, the bus will head back down Main Street U.S.A. and out the parade gates.

“Our guests will be able to see the Muppets Christmas Caroling Coach and they can join in and sing along as it heads past creating mobile musical merriment,” Peterson said.

SEE ALSO: Disneyland’s It’s a Small World floods, holiday opening delayed

The Muppets Christmas carol show will be performed four times during the Merriest Nites holiday parties — once during the kickoff of the event, another before “A Christmas Fantasy” parade and two more times later in the evening.

The Muppets have decorated the double-decker bus for the holidays with the help of Disneyland’s show creators and designers.

“They’ve decked the bus out with the very recognizable flair of ‘The Muppet Show’ with these beautiful red curtains, holly, garland, Christmas lights and a few signs that are delightfully askew making sure that everyone knows that it is the Muppets Christmas Caroling Coach,” Peterson said.

Working alongside the Muppets during rehearsals has been one of the most cathartic moments of Peterson’s Disney career.

“I’ve been a fan since I was a child,” Peterson said. “To say that I was a little starstruck is not an exaggeration at all. It’s just been wonderful.”

Peterson was shocked by how familiar the Muppets were with the Anaheim theme park.

“The thing that’s been the most fun about working with them so far is that I didn’t realize what a deep knowledge of Disneyland they had,” Peterson said. “They are referencing everything and are so excited to be there.”

SEE ALSO: 14 Disneyland churros you have to try this holiday season

The lineup of characters on the Muppets Christmas Caroling Coach will include Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy — with the starlet anxious to visit Sleeping Beauty Castle along the way to say hello to Princess Aurora.

Fozzie Bear will also join the singalong and the Great Gonzo will be up to his usual antics — once he’s made sure the castle moat is free of sharks.

“Gonzo is looking forward to potentially bungee jumping off the Matterhorn,” said Peterson, referencing a statement made during the show.

Sam Eagle will be there too — with the ultra-patriotic bird eager to see Disneyland.

“He had to go see Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln and say hello and pay his respects,” Peterson said.

Pepe the King Prawn — who recently starred in “Muppets Haunted Mansion” on Disney+ — will be on the lookout for celebrities at Disneyland.

“You’ll see a pretty flashy, brand new Pepe outfit that he was excited to debut for his celebrity friends,” Peterson said. “He’s always in the mood for a good party and that’s exactly what Merriest Nites is.”

SEE ALSO: Disney Imagineering relocation shifts creative balance of power from California to Florida

The Muppets will lead Disneyland visitors in a singalong of some classic Christmas carols.

“This is your classic Christmas caroling door-to-door singalong situation — except instead of going door to door, we’re going right down the middle of Main Street U.S.A. utilizing that bus,” Peterson said. “If you wanted to ever sing Christmas carols with the Muppets, this is the place to be.”

The Christmas carol lineup is expected to include “Here We Come A-Caroling,” “Feliz Navidad” and “Deck the Halls” — all sung with a Muppets comedic twist.

“Of course we’re going to deck the halls together, but it may not be with boughs of holly,” Peterson said. “You’ll have to show up to find out exactly what we’re decking the halls with.”

And for the musical grand finale: “Let It Snow.” Could a little “snoap” help bring a White Christmas to Main Street U.S.A. during the big showstopper?

“There’s always Christmas magic that might be in the air,” Peterson said. “Dr. Bunsen Honeydew and Beaker may be helping it snow as well.”

SEE ALSO: When will Disneyland bring back the award-winning Magic Happens parade?

Kermit has been running a tight ship during rehearsals. Miss Piggy has her own makeup station to avoid conflicts and Gonzo’s cannons have been tested to ensure the proper clearances.

“Rehearsals have been a lot of fun with the occasional chicken running around,” Peterson said. “It has been a delight and one of the highlights of my career.”

Rehearsals have run smoothly with no issues between the usually cantankerous Muppets.

“Everyone is just so happy to spread Christmas magic and holiday cheer and to be at Disneyland,” Peterson said. “It has been a very, very long time since the Muppets had a chance to set foot into Disneyland and especially to step on Main Street. They have been in perfect harmony when it comes to their singing.”

SEE ALSO: Disneyland adds Life Day celebration to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge

Disney Merriest Nites will run on five select nights in November and December during what has traditionally been the busy holiday season at Disneyland. The after-hours, separate-ticket holiday event will kick off on Thursday, Nov. 11 and continue on Nov. 16, Nov. 30, Dec. 7 and Dec. 9.

Merriest Nites will start at 8 p.m. each night with event visitors able to mix-in with daily crowds starting at 5 p.m. Ticket prices for the sold out event range from ​​$165 to $175.

One of the highlights of Disneyland show director Jordan Peterson’s career has been bringing the Muppets to Main Street U.S.A. for a Christmas singalong after the beloved puppets largely disappeared from Disney’s Anaheim theme parks several years ago.

“It’s time for them to come home to Disneyland more consistently,” Peterson said by phone. “This is the first step and I hope it’s the first of many appearances.”

The Muppets will be commandeering Disneyland’s double-decker bus for a 9-minute Christmas caroling show during the upcoming Merriest Nites after-hours, separate-ticket holiday events.

“They wanted to come out and sing with guests,” said Peterson, show director on the Muppets Christmas Caroling Coach. “This is their own standalone show.”

SEE ALSO: Will the Muppets move into Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion?

The Muppets are having a bit of a moment right now at Disneyland after they largely faded from the Anaheim parks when the “MuppetVision 3D” show departed Disney California Adventure in 2014.

The debut of “Muppets Haunted Mansion” this Halloween season was accompanied by a behind-the-scenes exhibit on the Disney+ holiday special in the lobby of the Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln attraction at Disneyland. This summer, the Disney Parks blog posted online videos of other Muppets characters with Animal going on a shopping spree in a Disneyland gift shop and Fozzie Bear getting comedy advice from a Jungle Cruise skipper in the park.

“It’s so exciting to get a chance to see them shine in a way that we haven’t seen in a little while,” Peterson said. “It’s perfect to have them back in Disneyland. It’s been too long.”

During Merriest Nites, the Muppets Christmas Caroling Coach will start in Disneyland’s Town Square, head up Main Street U.S.A. and make a quick circle around the hub before stopping for the show between the Plaza Inn and Jolly Holiday Cafe. After the performance, the bus will head back down Main Street U.S.A. and out the parade gates.

“Our guests will be able to see the Muppets Christmas Caroling Coach and they can join in and sing along as it heads past creating mobile musical merriment,” Peterson said.

SEE ALSO: Disneyland’s It’s a Small World floods, holiday opening delayed

The Muppets Christmas carol show will be performed four times during the Merriest Nites holiday parties — once during the kickoff of the event, another before “A Christmas Fantasy” parade and two more times later in the evening.

The Muppets have decorated the double-decker bus for the holidays with the help of Disneyland’s show creators and designers.

“They’ve decked the bus out with the very recognizable flair of ‘The Muppet Show’ with these beautiful red curtains, holly, garland, Christmas lights and a few signs that are delightfully askew making sure that everyone knows that it is the Muppets Christmas Caroling Coach,” Peterson said.

Working alongside the Muppets during rehearsals has been one of the most cathartic moments of Peterson’s Disney career.

“I’ve been a fan since I was a child,” Peterson said. “To say that I was a little starstruck is not an exaggeration at all. It’s just been wonderful.”

Peterson was shocked by how familiar the Muppets were with the Anaheim theme park.

“The thing that’s been the most fun about working with them so far is that I didn’t realize what a deep knowledge of Disneyland they had,” Peterson said. “They are referencing everything and are so excited to be there.”

SEE ALSO: 14 Disneyland churros you have to try this holiday season

The lineup of characters on the Muppets Christmas Caroling Coach will include Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy — with the starlet anxious to visit Sleeping Beauty Castle along the way to say hello to Princess Aurora.

Fozzie Bear will also join the singalong and the Great Gonzo will be up to his usual antics — once he’s made sure the castle moat is free of sharks.

“Gonzo is looking forward to potentially bungee jumping off the Matterhorn,” said Peterson, referencing a statement made during the show.

Sam Eagle will be there too — with the ultra-patriotic bird eager to see Disneyland.

“He had to go see Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln and say hello and pay his respects,” Peterson said.

Pepe the King Prawn — who recently starred in “Muppets Haunted Mansion” on Disney+ — will be on the lookout for celebrities at Disneyland.

“You’ll see a pretty flashy, brand new Pepe outfit that he was excited to debut for his celebrity friends,” Peterson said. “He’s always in the mood for a good party and that’s exactly what Merriest Nites is.”

SEE ALSO: Disney Imagineering relocation shifts creative balance of power from California to Florida

The Muppets will lead Disneyland visitors in a singalong of some classic Christmas carols.

“This is your classic Christmas caroling door-to-door singalong situation — except instead of going door to door, we’re going right down the middle of Main Street U.S.A. utilizing that bus,” Peterson said. “If you wanted to ever sing Christmas carols with the Muppets, this is the place to be.”

The Christmas carol lineup is expected to include “Here We Come A-Caroling,” “Feliz Navidad” and “Deck the Halls” — all sung with a Muppets comedic twist.

“Of course we’re going to deck the halls together, but it may not be with boughs of holly,” Peterson said. “You’ll have to show up to find out exactly what we’re decking the halls with.”

And for the musical grand finale: “Let It Snow.” Could a little “snoap” help bring a White Christmas to Main Street U.S.A. during the big showstopper?

“There’s always Christmas magic that might be in the air,” Peterson said. “Dr. Bunsen Honeydew and Beaker may be helping it snow as well.”

SEE ALSO: When will Disneyland bring back the award-winning Magic Happens parade?

Kermit has been running a tight ship during rehearsals. Miss Piggy has her own makeup station to avoid conflicts and Gonzo’s cannons have been tested to ensure the proper clearances.

“Rehearsals have been a lot of fun with the occasional chicken running around,” Peterson said. “It has been a delight and one of the highlights of my career.”

Rehearsals have run smoothly with no issues between the usually cantankerous Muppets.

“Everyone is just so happy to spread Christmas magic and holiday cheer and to be at Disneyland,” Peterson said. “It has been a very, very long time since the Muppets had a chance to set foot into Disneyland and especially to step on Main Street. They have been in perfect harmony when it comes to their singing.”

SEE ALSO: Disneyland adds Life Day celebration to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge

Disney Merriest Nites will run on five select nights in November and December during what has traditionally been the busy holiday season at Disneyland. The after-hours, separate-ticket holiday event will kick off on Thursday, Nov. 11 and continue on Nov. 16, Nov. 30, Dec. 7 and Dec. 9.

Merriest Nites will start at 8 p.m. each night with event visitors able to mix-in with daily crowds starting at 5 p.m. Ticket prices for the sold out event range from ​​$165 to $175.