We just got back from spending a couple days at Disneyland and DCA. Our favorite time to go is Halloween, but Christmas is a close second. We had a magical time and I have so much to share if you are taking a trip soon, so be ready for lots of fun! I am just warning you now, there are lots of pictures! I should also remind you that at the parks the Christmas season runs until January 7th 2018.
Make sure you check out every Disney Resort Hotel. They decorate so beautifully for Christmas, their Christmas trees are amazing, and there is a Santa waiting to take photos with the kids and you don't have to be staying at one of the resort hotels to visit Santa, see the Christmas trees, or the decor.
This is a cake that was on display in the lobby at the Grand Californian
Don't miss A Christmas Fantasy Parade. It is so cute and runs twice during the day. The kids were so excited to watch the parade. We enjoy watching the parades by Small World. I always find a front row seat so the kids can stay in their stroller and watch right from the comfort of their chair.
You definitely have to ride It's A Small World at Christmas. The lights are amazing at night and the children sing Christmas songs inside the ride.
Make sure you see the Believe In Holiday Magic Fireworks Spectacular. They are amazing. They start at 9:30 pm. Try to get a spot in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle.
Make sure you meet Santa Claus at Pooh's Thotful Spot in Critter Country. It is adorable! You can visit with Santa daily from 10 am to 6:45 pm.
Fantasmic (by The Rivers Of America) takes place on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays at 9 pm and 10:30 pm.
If you are also at Disneyland on a Friday, Saturday, Sunday, or Monday you have to check out Mickey's Magical Map Show. It is at the Fantasy Theatre right by Small World. It is a great show and everyone will love it.
Have you ever heard about the Disneyland FAMOUS handmade candy canes? They are one of the most popular and desired treats offered at the parks. These candy canes are HUGE. Getting your hands on one of these candy canes can be tricky! Wristbands are given out at The Candy Palace or Trolley Treats opening. I recommend getting to the main gates of whichever park is selling the candy canes for the day 30-45 minutes before scheduled park opening to ensure you are one of the first in line to get a wristband. Basically, the earlier the better. If you are staying at one of the Disneyland Resort Hotels and you are eligible for Magic Morning or Extra Magic Hour, that is even better because you are in the park before general admission guests. Wristbands are limited and available while supplies last (about 40 given out per batch with 3 batches on the days candy canes are available, so that's only 120 wristbands total). One wristband per guest for one candy cane only. Wristband must be shown at the time of purchase too.
We always hop back and forth between Disneyland and DCA, but do not miss DCA this Christmas! They have some great Disney magic you won't want to miss! DCA has the Festival of Holidays. There are cultural traditions and you can enjoy festive food and drink all around the world. There are 12 different food stands and they all looked amazing. Blake and I ate our way through every food stand.
You can find Pluto and Clarabelle Cow right at the Festive Corridor daily from 10:30 am -5:30 pm
This was our first time ever getting our picture with Clarabelle Cow!
You can also watch Disney Viva Navidad and see the Three Caballeros host a fun street party featuring dancers, live music, Mickey and Minnie in Fiesta wear! This is by Paradise Gardens. You can also meet Goofy, the Three Caballeros, Mickey, and Minnie in their festive wear.
Also at Paradise Garden you can meet Princess Elena of Avalor. Her friend Skylar and royal dancers also join her. You can also get your picture with Princess Elena.
Make sure you catch World Of Color Season Of Light. Classic holiday music, dancing fountains, and dazzling lights shine in the all new winter fantasy. This happens daily 9 pm and 10:15 pm.
The Holiday Toy Drummers were amazing. They play right by Paradise Pier (right by The Little Mermaid ride). There is so much entertainment happening at DCA you don't want to miss any of it. They perform daily at 10:30, 11:20, 12:35, 1:20, 3:10, and 4:05
Don't forget to catch Frozen Live at the Hyperion in Hollywood Land. We love the Disney Junior Live on Stage, which is also in Hollywood Land.
Cars Land is all decorated for Christmas so make sure you check it out and see all the beautiful trees and lights! It looks so good!
Make sure you meet Santa at the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail. The set up is beautiful. You can also meet Chip and Dale and some adorable elves that are wandering around.
The line for Santa can get long so I suggest buying these Mickey snowman cookie decorating boxes for the kids to do in line. You can buy them right when you enter Redwood Creek Challenge Trail to the right.
Overall we had the best time. We visited with all the characters in their holiday wear, watched fireworks, parades, rode rides, ate way too much, and had the best time. There is really no place like Disneyland.
You can meet all the Disney princesses at the Royal Hall from when the park opens until 7pm
She had to have this Elsa doll (don't worry, we almost own them all)
You can meet Elsa and Anna at Disney's Animation. If this is important to your children I suggest doing this right away because the line can get really long. Kennedy has a thing for Elsa right now so we have to meet her every time we go.
You can find festive treats at Candy Palace on Main Street, Pooh Corner in Critter Country, Trolley Treats in DCA, and Marceline's Confectionary in Downtown Disney.
We also make Carter ride one new ride every time we go. He gets very comfortable with the same rides. This time he rode Indiana Jones Adventure and he did not love it. Here are some rides we have made him try recently, but he never asks to ride again: Splash Mountain, Haunted Mansion, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Storybook Land Canal Boats, Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, and I am sure there are a couple more, but you get the idea). I think next time maybe we will try Space Mountain or Matterhorn Bobsleds. We will see.
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