8 Reasons to Visit Disneyland During the Holiday Season

December 10, 2016

With Christmas just a few weeks away, now is the perfect time to pay the West Coast Mouse a visit. No place celebrates the holidays quite like Disneyland and just to prove our point, here’s 8 of our favorite reasons to visit Disneyland and California Adventure Park this holiday season.

1. Christmas Fantasy Parade – Nothing says Christmas has arrived better than this whimsical afternoon parade. Guests will be treated to an all-star line-up of much-loved Disney characters headed down Main Street in their Christmas finery. Those making an appearance includes: Elsa and Olaf, Woody and Buzz, Mickey and Minnie and the Disney Princesses. However, the real star of the show is Santa himself, riding through the park on his sleigh. The parade happens daily at 1:30pm and again at 4.15pm. Guests should note that the best viewing spots fill up quickly so it pays to line-up well in advance.

2. Jingle Cruise – One of only a small handful of Disneyland attractions to receive a holiday makeover, visitors to the parks before January 8th will want to be sure to head over to Adventureland for a merry voyage aboard the Jingle Cruise. Guests can expect the same laugh-out-loud jokes and witty banter but now with a Seasonal twist. The premise is that a plane flying over the area has accidentally dropped its Christmas cargo along the cruise route. What ensues is Disney holiday fun at its best.

3. Haunted Mansion Holiday – In a Christmas takeover that has most of us East Coast Disney-goers green with envy, each year Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion gets a Tim Burton-esque makeover becoming Haunted Mansion Holiday. Until January 8th, the ride will feature a Nightmare Before Christmas overlay complete with Jack o’ Lanterns, Christmas Wreaths, an amazing gingerbread house and appearances from Jack Skellington, Sally and Oogie Boogie.

4. World of Color – Season of Light: New for 2016, light, water and fire combine to create this beautiful seasonal pageant in the night sky. Season of Light features holiday music and festive scenes featuring much-loved Disney characters including: Anna and Elsa, Andy’s family from Toy Story and the Lady in the Tramp. Each show is meant to highlight the importance of love, home and family this Holiday Season. Performances will run twice nightly at 9:00pm and 10:15 pm until January 8th, 2017. Those wanting an extra special treat may also want to opt for the World of Color Dessert Party. For $79 a person, guests can load up on beverages and sweet treats before watching the evening festivities from a VIP viewing area. Reservation can be made at 714.781.DINE.

5. Meet Santa Claus at Disneyland or California Adventure Park: Disneyland holiday visitors hoping to have a chat with Santa Claus are in luck as Disneyland Resort offers 3 opportunities to cozy up to Old St. Nick. At Disneyland he’ll be holding court at Pooh’s thotful spot in Critter Country. Those preferring California Adventure will find him at Redwood Creek Challenge Trail and for those preferring the comfort of your home away from home you’ll find Santa at each of the three on-site resorts until December 24th. At Paradise Pier he greets guests near Crystal Cove. At the Grand Californian you’ll find him in the Great Hall or head over to the Disneyland Hotel where you can find him near the Grand Ballroom.

6. Disney Festival of Holidays: If you’re heading to Disneyland over the next month than you won’t want to miss this brand new seasonal offering. This multi-cultural celebration runs until January 8th with a wide array of activities on offer. Guests can indulge in dishes from around the world at the Food Marketplace Kiosks. The festival is also jam-packed with entertainment. Here you’ll be able to watch Toy Drummers working their holiday magic, take in a Stilt Walker Circus Troupe and even catch a Klezmer Mariachi Band. There’s also ¡Vivia Navidad! a celebration of American and Latina cultures and one of Disney’s newest princesses Elena will delight small guests with her grand arrival.

7. Homemade Candy Canes from Candy Palace and Candy Kitchen – For regular visitors to Disneyland During the holidays, an important annual holiday tradition is scoring one of the amazing Homemade Candy Canes from Candy Palace. However, to actually land one of these delectable holiday treats is no easy feat. Each year the Candymakers crafting these edible works art do so on select dates. The remaining Disneyland dates for 2016 are as follows:

Monday, December 12
Wednesday, December 14
Friday, December 16
Monday, December 19
Saturday, December 24

Candy Canes are also available at Trolley Treats at Disney’s California Adventure Park on the following dates:

Tuesday, December 13
Thursday, December 15
Saturday, December 17
Tuesday, December 20
Sunday, December 25

To say the candy canes are in demand would be an understatement. Guests will start lining up before park opening to nab one of the 120 wristbands that are handed out each day. The candy canes are made in batches of 40 with each wristband having a return time when your batch will be ready. Each wristband is only good for one candy cane. Those wanting to double check Candy Cane release dates prior to your visit can do so by calling 1.714.781.0112.

8. Believe In…Holiday Magic Fireworks Spectacular – The perfect ending to a Christmas visit to Disneyland, this evening fireworks spectacular is not to be missed. Set to a festive musical score guests will not only revel in the amazing pyrotechnics but also the 80,000 plus lights that adorn Cinderella’s Castle and the whimsical projections o f “its a small world” holiday. The fireworks run nightly at either 7:00pm or 9:30pm. Guests should pick up a Times Guide upon entering the park for further details.

So chase away those winter blues and ring in the Yuletide Season with a visit to Disneyland and California Adventure Park this month. With so much to see, do and explore, its bound to be a Christmas like no other.

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