This post is sponsored by the Disneyland Resort for the Holiday Season. We received complimentary admission along with VIP experiences. Our thoughts, photos (unless otherwise noted) and experiences are our own.
The Disneyland Resort is magical throughout the year. But during the holidays even more so! It transforms into a winter wonderland! It’s holiday season everywhere you look! Today we’re sharing our favorite Five Magical Ways to Celebrate the Holidays at Disneyland Resort.
1. Holiday Decorations
Image credit: Disneyland
Disneyland’s Holiday season runs November 10, 2017 until January 7, 2018. The park’s are filled with holiday themed decorations, entertainment, attractions and delicious food.
Christmas trees make me happy. They make my heart sing! And there are Christmas trees everywhere! Disney California Adventure Park’s Buena Vista Street tree is 50 feet tall! There are gifts, gingerbread men, and even a train surrounding it. Share in the wonder when this magnificent tree lights up daily at 4:55 PM.
The holiday centerpiece of Disneyland’s Main Street is the Christmas tree that stands in all it’s 60 foot glory. The gorgeous Christmas tree is covered with 70,000 lights as well as 2,000 custom made ornaments. The Main Street tree lighting takes place daily at 5:00 PM.
The stunning Sleeping Beauty Castle is nothing short of spectacular. With shimmering icicles, colorful garlands and wreaths, the castle is all aglow starting at nightfall. You can see it all light up at 6:00 PM every day!
There are festive holiday decorations throughout Disneyland, California Adventure Park and Downtown Disney. Not to be missed is the majestic Christmas Tree in the lobby of the Grand Californian Hotel. And don’t miss the amazing Gingerbread House.
2. Food and Treats – Festival of Holidays
Food and holiday treats? Yes, please! There’s never a shortage of delicious fare throughout the Disneyland Resort. But we’re here to tell you, during the holidays … be ready! You’ll want to eat your way through the Disney Festival Of Holidays. It’s a celebration of diverse cuisines, cultures and traditions from around the world. Feast on all the sweet and the savory offerings now through January 7, 2018. There are 12 marketplace kiosks at different locations around Disney California Adventure Park.
Image credit: Disneyland
Cookie Butter and Jelly Cheesecake … and Holiday Mickey and Minnie Cookies
Image credit: Disneyland
Seared Salmon Filet with Lemon Caper Sauce … and Chocolate Yule Log with Candied Chestnuts and Clementine Compote
3. Holiday Themed Attractions
“it’s a small world” A Joyful Seasonal Serenade
Add Holiday music, fun decorations and a gazillion lights to “it’s a small world” and you have 15 minutes of holiday magic. Each time you ride you’ll no doubt see something new every single time!
Haunted Mansion Holiday
The Haunted Mansion is a regular haunt for us. We take a spin through the mansion every time we visit Disneyland. During Halloween and Christmas the Haunted Mansion is transformed with jack o’ lanterns and wreaths, terrifying toys, and kooky characters from Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas. IT. IS. AWESOME! Haunted Mansion Holiday is another one of those attractions where you can see something new every time you ride it!
Mater’s Jingle Jamboree
All the good ole characters of Cars Land are getting in on the holiday celebration. Mater’s Jingle Jamboree is an old-fashioned square dance while riding one of 22 unique tractor-trailers. Hold on tight as they whip and whirl, all the while Mater sings hoedown tunes! It’s a rip-roaring time.
Luigi’s Joy to the Whirl
You haven’t seen dancing until you see Luigi’s Joy to the Whirl! The Frizzante roadsters were modeled after 1950’s Italian rear-engine micro-cars. Your chosen car will carry you across the ‘dance floor’ to Christmas Jingles, sung by Luigi and members of the Casoli crew.
4. Holiday Shows and Parades
”A Christmas Fantasy” Parade
I LOVE a parade!! Disneyland’s, ”A Christmas Fantasy” Parade, is absolutely magical! Everyone who is anyone is in the parade! From Minnie and Mickey, to Elsa and Anna, to the Toy Story gang. And everyone in-between. I love the marching Tin Soldiers! They remind me of our son Brian when he marched in parades while playing his saxophones in middle school and high school!
Image credit: Disneyland
“Believe… in Holiday Magic” Fireworks Spectacular
Sleeping Beauty’s Winter Castle shimmers to life at nightfall with the “Believe… in Holiday Magic” Fireworks Spectacular. The castle is the center piece for this stunning show that ends with magical ‘snowfall’ at various locations throughout the park.
Image credit: Disneyland
World of Color – Season of Light
If you have never seen World of Color prepare to be amazed! World of Color is an incredible water show at Paradise Bay in Disney California Adventure Park. Brilliant lights and spectacular color light up the night as music fills the air. From, “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” and “Let it Snow,” to “Feliz Navidad” and cherished movie tunes, the medley of music might just move you to sing out loud. It’s not to be missed!
Princess Elena’s Musical Grand Arrival
Watch as Princess Elena and her magical friend Skylar arrive on a beautiful float surrounded by royal dancers. You’ll definitely find yourself caught up in the spirit of the holidays.
These festivities are just the tip of the Disneyland iceberg. There are pop up bands, mini parades, musical performers, and more!
A favorite of Kennedy’s: Disney Face Painting. She’s been getting that cute little face of hers painted since she was old enough to ask. This year she talked her mom into getting her face painted, too!
Image credit: Disneyland
Visit Santa Claus
For our family, Redwood Creek Challenge Trail has always been a favorite place to visit in Disney California Adventure Park. When our grandchildren were younger, there were times when we spent the entire day in Redwood Creek. Seriously! It’s a child’s dream come true. Add Santa Claus, and it’s extra special! You’ll find Santa waiting for you at Ahwahnee Camp Circle near the entrance of Redwood Creek Challenge Trail. Stop on by to visit with Santa and get his autograph. It also makes for a very festive photo opportunity.
5. Photo Opportunities
A family tradition of ours is preserving memories through photographs. Kennedy loves meeting and posing with her favorite Disney Princesses. We definitley have the photos to prove it! This year Cinderella is Kennedy’s favorite Princess. Why? The following video is only 11 seconds long, but it shows how Cinderella interacted with Kennedy. Cinderella asked questions, and in less than a minute became Kennedy’s friend. Kennedy was so impressed that all she could say was, “Cinderella is SO nice!”
Disney MaxPass is an option that can be added to your ticket that we highly recommend. It combines Disney PhotoPass with Digital FASTPASS selections. With the MaxPass you can have any of the many Disney photographers take professional photos and they’ll be added to the card. Be sure to request Magic Shots. From there you can order whichever photos you like.
And this is a BIG advantage of the Disney MaxPass: the ability to reserve digital Disney FASTPASS selections (subject to availabilty) from the convenience of your mobile device, using the Disneyland app. This elimiates the need to obtain printed passes from kiosk machines for many of the attractions.
Happy Holidays and Enjoy!!
He says: Another great time at Disneyland Resort. And a great way to get into the spirit of the holidays. Festive family fun. Disney magic is alive and well!
She says: Being at Disneyland during the holidays is magical. The food, the music and especially the decoration warm my heart. I love singing and dancing (literally) my way through the wonderland of Disneyland Holidays!
Mindi says: A fun day with family and a fun beginning to the holidays ahead.
Kennedy says: Cinderella is SO nice! And I’m so excited for Christmas to be here!
~ The Nitty Gritty:
Why: #DisneylandHolidays with family
When: – , 2017
Who: Four of us. David, Cathi, Mindi and Kennedy
What: Disneyland, California Adventure
Where: 1313 Disneyland Dr, Anaheim, CA 92802
Phone: (714) 781-4636
Website: Disneyland
Debra says
Cookie butter and jelly cheesecake? Decorations? I want to go!!!!!
Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle says
This is such a great resource for getting the most out of Disney around the holidays. We went to Disney during their Christmas celebrations once, and it was just so amazing.
Lisa Joy Thompson says
Oh my word! I seriously need to go back to Disney World…and soon! We just left on November 2nd. I’m so sad I missed all these amazing decorations. I’ll definitely look into planning a trip there next year over the holidays.
Connie says
We love Disney during the holidays! My family goes every year.
Jenna Wood says
I never knew they updates Its A Small World for the holidays- do they do many of these things at Disneyland, too? We are past due for a Disney trip.
Dawn Lopez says
Disneyland is always magical but Christmas really ups the magic level. Disney does holidays like no other place!
Claudia Krusch says
I have always wanted to go to Disneyland Resort during the holiday season. It would be so beautiful to see all the decorations.
reesa says
What a magical experience! I hope one day to get to visit!
Cyn Gagen says
So beautiful! It’s my dream to go to Disney during the holidays. What could be more magical?
Amy Desrosiers says
I have never been to Disney before. I would love to visit with my family sometime in the near future.
Kathy says
I’ve always wanted to experience Disney. I have never been there. I think it would be fun to be able to take my daughters there.
Sinisa says
Being at Disney for the holidays is heavenly. I love it
Toni | Boulder Locavore says
Holidays at Disneyland are the best! Such a great place to spend the holidays.
Gingermommy says
I love the idea of celebrating the Holidays at Disney! I am totally going to have to aim to do this one year.
Nancy at Whispered Inspirations says
The Holidays at Disney are a beautiful way to spend your Christmas that’s for sure! So magical.
Stacie says
I would love to visit Disneyland during the holiday season. It’s so magical with all of the lights and decorations.
Debra says
Where are the locations that it snows? I NEED to know this 🙂