Season’s Greetings! No, not the summer season, of course, but the holiday season! Yes, we’re about six months early, but doesn’t everyone wish they could “let it snow” a little in the July heat? I love the holiday season and especially at Disney Parks. It is just so magical. Disney Parks Blog this week celebrated “most wonderful time of the year” with a Halfway To The Holidays to get everyone excited for the holiday season. There will be new seasonal treats, new products and more. Also starting November 8, Disney Very Merriest After Hours a new special ticketed event will be available on select nights featuring Minnie's Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks. I can't wait to celebrate 20 years of Haunted Manion Holiday at Disneyland Resort beginning September 3. Those headed to Disneyland Paris can celebrate the holiday season beginning November 13 (make sure you tell Mickey and Minnie I said Bonjour). From early November through December the Disney Cruise Line fleet will be decked out in holiday cheer. Don't forget to celebrate the season with Disney+. They have the best holiday watch list. Click here for the Disney Parks Blog and read more about what is coming this holiday season! So grab some hot chocolate and lets get ready for the holidays!
Check out the merry new products for #halfwaytotheholidays
I can't wait to celebrate 20 years of Haunted Manion Holiday at Disneyland Resort beginning September.
There will be so many seasonal treats at all the parks. I can't wait to try them all!
From early November through December the Disney Cruise Line fleet will be decked out in holiday cheer.
Below is my blog post from December 2019 when we visited the parks for the holidays. There is so much to see and do and it is just the best time to visit.
We just got back from spending a few 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 the beginning of January 2020.
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. 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 the Disneyland Hotel
This tree is at Disney's Grand Californian Hotel and Spa
Don't miss A Christmas Fantasy Parade. It is so cute and runs twice during the day (3:30 & 6:00 pm)
You definitely have to ride It's A Small World. The lights are amazing at night and the children sing Christmas songs inside the ride. There is a little Christmas projection show in front of the Small World ride that happens nightly.
Make sure you see the Believe In Holiday Magic Fireworks Spectacular. The fireworks are amazing. They start at 9:30 pm. Try to get a spot in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle. There is also a magical snowfall on Main Street and in front of the 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.
Don't miss Mickey's Magical Map Show in Disneyland. It is at the Fantasy Theatre right by Small World. It is a great show and everyone will love it. It plays at 12:00, 1:05, 2:15, 4:15, 5:20 pm.
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 currently has the Festival of Holidays. There are cultural traditions and you can enjoy festive food and drink all around the world. There are 8 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.
We also love the Christmas tree on Buena Vista Street. You can watch the tree lighting everyday at 4:55pm
I love Viva Navidad! The 3 Caballeros host a fun street party featuring folkorico and samba dancers, live musicians and Mickey and Minnie in their fiesta best! You can even meet Goofy, Mickey & Minnie, and the 3 Caballeros in their festive Viva Navidad outfits!
I loved these poinsettias all around the park in DCA. They were shaped like Mickey and they were so festive and fun.
There are festival arts and crafts you can do with your kids too.
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!
Mickey's Happy Holidays is NEW this year and it is the cutest little parade! Dance along with Mickey Mouse and pals to the magically merry rhythms of the Holiday Toy Drummers! It performs daily at 12:30 and 4pm.
Kennedy got a handshake and kiss from Mickey Mouse!
The Holiday Toy Drummers were amazing. They play right by Paradise Pier (near The Little Mermaid ride). There is so much entertainment happening at DCA and you don't want to miss any of it.
There is so much festival Christmas merchandise! It is all 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.
I always love the Grizzly Bear at Grizzly River Run
Kennedy met one of the bears from Country Bear Jamboree
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. It plays at 12pm, 3pm, and 5pm. You can also meet Elsa and Anna right now in their new costumes at Disney Animation.
Make sure you see World Of Color Season Of Light. I literally had tears watching it. It has classic holiday music, dancing fountains, and dazzling lights shining in this popular sparkling winter fantasy. It was magical!!!
Make sure you visit with all the Disney characters in their festive Christmas outfits! It is my favorite!
You can now meet Jack in his Santa suit with Sally in New Orleans Square
Toon Town is one of my favorite places to visit, especially during Christmas! The decorations are so festive and fun! Make sure you take the time to visit and you can see Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Goofy, and Donald Duck, and Goofy around Toon Town or in their houses!
We LOVE ending our nights dancing! The Disney Holiday Dance Party in Tomorrowland is the best. You can dance with some of your favorite Disney pals. Kennedy was beyond excited when she got to dance and take photos with Marie and Berlioz from Aristocats. It is one of her favorite movies and Marie is her favorite character.
We always love trying the festive Christmas treats around the parks too! My kids love the cake pops!
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.
Remember the BEST place to purchase tickets is through Get Away Today. Click here for discount tickets and hotel stays. Get Away Today is amazing.
It's no secret that we LOVE staying at Howard Johnson Anaheim Hotel & Water PlayGround. It is simply the best and I am here to share with you why. When you book use code LNLR for 15% off (USE CODE 1000022077) and if you are an annual passholder use code LNAP for 20% off (USE CODE 1000025935)! Click here to make your reservations. Click here to read everything the hotel has to offer.
It is so important to make sure you always grab a guide map and the times of shows and what is going in the parks when you are there.
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