How long is disneyland christmas themed

At the Disneyland park, Santa can be found in Critter Country. Take an evening or nighttime walk through Grizzly Peak in Disney California Adventure Park to see this magical snowfall.

The lights change color, special music plays and snow falls several time each night. After the Believe. The holiday magic extends beyond the parks!

Be sure to visit the Downtown Disney District where the decorations are amazing, and stores offer festive shopping, dining and live entertainment. There is also a towering Christmas tree and hot cocoa and treats for sale. This, combined with a roaring fireplace, comfy seating and easy access via a direct entrance from Disney California Adventure Park, makes this hotel the perfect place to stay when you visit Disneyland.

While the holidays at the Disneyland Resort are spectacular, big crowds are often a major downside, even with the required park reservations.

Here are some tips for managing the crowds and getting the most out of your time during the holiday season. Be sure to choose your dates as early as possible to ensure you get your chosen dates.

The best advice you can get to beat the rush at Disneyland Christmas is to arrive early. The crowds are lightest at opening time.

Arrive minutes before the parks open to take advantage of lighter crowds. Disneyland is known for its delicious and beautiful treats year-round, but during the holidays there are some extra special offerings. You can save time at many restaurants by using mobile food ordering on the Disneyland app. Otherwise, you have to do it old school — checking the Tip Board on Main Street or just showing up only to find long wait times.

Disneyland unveils some amazing merchandise during the holidays! Even though your kids will resist if they are anything like mine leave time to poke through some stores. Whether you are buying souvenirs, Christmas gifts or a special commemorative ornament, the stores in the theme parks and at Downtown Disney are an attraction in themselves. Reservations will fill up early on these holiday dates and really throughout the whole busy season. Looking for discount Disney tickets? Check out these great discounts on Disneyland tickets and vacation packages from authorized Disney seller and our trusted partner, Get Away Today.

Get Away Today sells discount theme park tickets as well as vacation packages for both on-property and off-property hotels. They will even assist with all your Disneyland vacation plans with their free concierge service! Please note, some of the links in this post may be affiliate links. At no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you make a purchase. Thank you for reading.

I visited Anaheim several years ago and would like to go back again sometime soon! I too would love to explore an organic farm, take cooking classes, walk on beautiful sunny hikes, enjoy delicious food and bask in the sun. I cannot wait for summer vacation to start already. Occupation Ornaments. The list is definitely one of the best home cleaning checklists for maintaining your home clean and clutter-free. I quickly realize there are so many little things we missed. Thanks for such a comprehensive list.

Awesome information Casey, really appreciate the details, makes planning so much easier. Any news on Paint the night for Christmas — we arrive 11Dec for a week. Thanks for all the great information Casey. Is Disneyland open on Christmas Eve and Christmas day?

If it is open, do you know how heavy the crowds are on those days? Hi, Candy. Both parks are open and both are super crowded. Disneyland is open days a year. I cry every time I go to Disneyland, too. I just booked a trip from January I saw in this thread that you responded to someone and let her know that holidays would be still be in full swing, which is perfect! My question is: Do they still do the tree lightings each night? Thanks so much for helping us all to plan our magical trips!

Hi, Cate. Good question. This detail — and if Santa sticks around — seems to change from year to year. We loved the snow after the show.

I wanted to take my kids back so bad to see it. Once Halloween ends, Christmas starts to take shape. Hope you can enjoy it!

We will, how can one not enjoy Disneyland?! Do you know when Dapperdays is going to be? Thanks for your blog and fb posts it really has been my goto for information. Best I have found! I am so confused. We do not have a party at all at DLR. We are arrive Dec 1 to 3. We totally thought the 60th anniversary would go through December and hate to miss it! No idea yet. This is all new. Waiting for some word from Disney. Hopefully soon! Do you have an idea of how far out Disney publishes its entertainment for the day?

It would completely change our dining reservations. Great advice, your enthusiasm shines through! Surprising my daughter on Dec 5 with day trip to the parks. Do you know the average opening time of DL in December? Also, what time do the parades begin generally?

Sorry if this has already asked but in terms of crowds — would it be less busy to go in November as soon as Christmas first starts in Disneyland?

Or waiting a week or two? Thank you!! Earlier in the season is better. Try to go as soon as the season opens. Early to mid November is ideal. You will love it! Do you know when the Grand Californian puts up the decorations? We usually stay the sunday of Thanksgiving weekend each year and everything is up, but the earlier dates works better for school..

Love your articles! Since Holidays starts November 10, the hotels should be decorated along with that timing. Disney seems to move everything up a bit each year. Thank you so much for getting back to me! I did ask someone in the hotel the other day and they said thanksgiving probably but that they did not really know for sure. I still have awhile before I need to cancel one of the reservations.

Ill keep checking and see if I can nail down a definitive answer from conceierge or the front desk. Thanks again love your articles and Facebook page! We are moving to SoCal and will be heading to DLR with our families and a 3 year old, 1 year old, and 8 month old for Thanksgiving and Christmas days!

We will be staying at the Grand Californian for both holidays. Do they do anything special for that day at the parks? Last question — do you know if they do anything special for Christmas morning etc? Or Christmas Eve? Thank you again for any advice!!! I already bought the princess dresses you suggested and they are beautiful!! We like fancy food and the girls are pretty used to that and enjoy the spectacle.

Those reservations fill up fast, though, so book it as soon as you see it. More on that and other dining at the hotels here:. I visit once a week and share trip reports on Facebook. Feel free to ask again if you have any other questions! The times went fast!! I got your email, and you answered all of my questions for sure! We are planning a trip to Disneyland Nov 4 to 11 but we are flexible with our dates and could go a few days later Nov 8 to 15 would be the latest.

What do you recommend based on crowds and Christmas decor etc. We are coming from Edmonton Alberta Canada and this is a once in a lifetime trip for us so we want to make it super special for our 4 kids! We will buy a 5 day park hopper pass to enjoy the parks as much as we can.

Thank you for your help. Really just depends on how much holiday you want to see. The latter option will allow you to see more attractions, as two of the holiday ones will be closed for your first date option. I think you should go with the second. Thank you very much for your help. But if you think the crowds will be ok then maybe we should come the later option so that we see more Christmas fun.

Which holiday attractions will be closed for the first option? We also saw that their is some kind of Avengers super hero half marathon at Disney from Nov 10 to We were worried that might bring in big crowds too. Thanks for all the great info! Do you think the decorations will be up before the 10th?

And will other holiday things food, rides, etc. Thanks so much! I am so excited! We will be there from December January 2! I have so many questions, but this is a great help to begin with! Even in that busiest time of year, do you think we can see everything we want to? You will see and do everything! Hey Casey! LOVE what you do and I thank you!

Also how soon is santa available at the parks? Thank you for all you do! Thank you, Camille. Or if you want print outs, the shops will do that for you. They may be able to add a date with a cute border. Check out the PhotoPass post here for more on that:. Santa typically arrives on opening day at each park, which is November 10 this year.

Our flight arrives at 3pm. Would it be possible to get into either park on New Years Day or will they have reached capacity? Or should we just wait until January 2nd to start our park days? Thanks for this amazing site! Great question. There are just a few days each year that reach capacity. However, tiered pricing and people not renewing APs could change that this season. But, we might have a better idea of capacity as we get closer to your timing.

Feel free to contact me again in case I can give you a better estimate. I love everything about your blog — you have so much helpful information!

I planed a trip for January , Do you know if the Christmas music is still playing at that time? Any inside info you have from the experience of being there that first week of January would be really really helpful!

In , Holidays officially ended on January 6. Until then, Holiday is in full swing — music, decor, attraction overlays, etc….. Hopefully you can better plan then.

Usually happens early Fall. We just got back from our first Disneyland vacation as a family of 4. It was our 5 year old and 2 year olds very first time. Your tips helped our 2 days 1 park per day run so smoothly! I just want to thank you, again, for keeping this blog.

Are there any rumors yet about when the Holiday season will start this year ? We are considering a visit from Nov No timing mentioned yet. But the last two years included a start date of November Stay tuned for an update on this post as soon as I learn more! How do I get Santa to say Hi to us during the parade? I know he can mention our names etc Thanks! First time visiting Disneyland park with my 2 yr old and i would like to see all the evening parades.

Your site has been really useful by the way. They both start at 9pm. Would you be able to clear this scheduling up? I would love to see all four of them plus the Fantasy parade. Thanks in advance! Good question, Calvin. Paint the Night and Fantasmic!

Which day are you visiting? If I can only choose between Paint the night and Fantasmic, which would you suggest? Thanks again. How did you dress your daughters up for Christmas time at Disneyland? Then, stay where you are for the fireworks. So, I think you can do both. Regarding dressing princesses, put them in leggings and a long sleeve tshirt and then a simple play dress.

Then, put their princess dress over the play dress. Have them wear boots if possible. Bring a sweater, too. I often bring my daughter a light scarf, too. We know we are crazy and the crowds will be chaos! I wish we had booked an onsite hotel, but we are staying close. We have restaurant reservations for WOC and Fantasmic fastpasses. Mostly about Star Wars, Cars and soaking in the atmosphere and staying safe. Then return for dinner reservations and the evening entertainment. Then Day 2 I was thinking of having a hang at the hotel kind of morning and arrive for our lunch reservations, do the CA attractions and stay for WOC.

Bad idea? Do we need to arrive early and stay all day late and then do it all again the next day? Sounds like fun! I actually recommend arriving early, before park opening, and then taking a mid-day break. So, keep that in mind for sure. I would like to know if anything is added to the Character Dining experience during Christmas. Do the prices stay the same?

Are the all characters in Christmas clothing? We are thinking of doing a character dining Christmas morning so I just wondered if I should expect a little extra magic. We were at Disneyland Dec and had two character breakfasts. They also had an amazing Christmas tree set up inside the Plaza Inn! Thanks so much we are planning for Christmas and Surfs up was our 1 choice for our boys but not if they are not in their Christmas outfits. We will plan on Plaza Inn. We are really looking forward to bringing our 4 year old this time!

Last time we were there, they had reindeer at Big Thunder Ranch. Any word on whether they will be there before the ranch shuts down?

We would so love to see them again! Also, had no idea about the candy canes! I plan on making that a priority as my little man will LOVE that!

Thank you so much for this awesome site! It has been hugely helpful in planning our trip. We are going at the beginning of December with a 2 month old and a 3 year old. I read all about the parades that you posted and we plan to sit near small world for the first paint the night parade. But can you offer advice about when to see the Christmas parade?

We will be there on December 10 and December 12 and looking at the schedule, the Christmas parade is way earlier than paint the night. Any tips there? We are planning to see Fantasmic one night, and Paint the Night the other night. When should we see the Christmas parade? And where should we sit? Christmas parades are happening twice a day now. The earlier one is typically lighter in crowds. Love your blog and all the useful information. If you get a wristband for a candy cane, do they give you a specific time to come back or would you be able to get the candy cane immediately?

Thank you. Love your blog; it is so helpful. I am planning a trip to Disneyland next year at around this time; do you suggest going the week before Thanksgiving?

Will the Christmas decorations and events be up by then? Do you think it might be crowded? Should we expect to see the holiday decor transitioning out of the park or is it cleared out overnight? Sorry, I meant gingerbread beignets, not pumpkin.

I am at California Adventure today. They announced this morning that as of today, there are no more fast passes to meet Anna and Elsa. Your site has been invaluable and has made our trip so much better exclamation thank you! Casey your website is amazing! Thanks so much for all this info. Using your 1 day plan for littles. Where would you fit in the christmas parade do you think? We are taking our girls 3 and 1 at the end of my husbands work trip. Going on 21 Nov from Australia. Thanks again!

The Christmas parade will be in the afternoon not sure of the time yet. This will proceed Paint the Night, the nighttime parade that is shown at dark. Thanks so much Casey! Is Disneyland Santa just totally lame? Not lame at all. But, I prefer the California Adventure version. What a wonderful and informative post! Thanks for the info! Im so excited. Now taking my 9 and 7 year old this December I am so excited.

Love Aussies! Yall are some of my most passionate and dedicated planners. Please let me know if I can help with anything. We always go in the summer so this will be the first time in December. What else should we look out for or do then.

Definitely enjoy the three holiday rides. Take more of the park in and enjoy the shows like Aladdin that are going away.

Missing my 90 degree so cal weather. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. LOG IN. Log into your account. Recover your password. Disneyland Daily. Wine Bar George in Disney Springs. In this article. Take a look at how Get Away Today can help with your vacation. Pumpkin Preparation. Hi, Lucy. Do you have any other good ideas? I am looking forward to your article in the future. I will update the food section of this post with info on offerings as soon as Disney shares it.

Enjoy your stay! Hope you have a great birthday. Hi, Judy. Let me know what other questions you have. Thanks Casey. We are so excited to spend time here over the Christmas season. Hi, Deborah. I loved the package for Pixar Play Parade. All true! It will be up through the end of the day on the 6th.

Definitely ask for birthday buttons. No problem! Dear Casey, Thanks for the tips! At night, the sparkling cavalcade makes a stop to turn on the Christmas Tree lights! A giant Christmas tree twinkles in a thousand colours in Town Square, while the twinkling fairy lights that line Main Street U.

A Christmas card scene brought to life! Santa Claus, Mickey and all his friends are dressed in their most dazzling Christmas outfits, ready to pose with you.

Get your phone ready and show them your biggest smile for a sparkling Christmas photo. Disneylicious dishes, snacks and drinks just perfect for the Christmas season are available throughout the Disney Parks and Hotels! Who's for a hot chocolate or some festive fine dining? Browse our festively decorated boutiques and tick off the items on your Christmas gift list! Keep the festive fun going after the Disney Parks close!

Explore the boutiques and restaurants, or discover the charming wooden chalets offering delicious sweet and savoury treats. Book a table for Christmas Day or New Year's Day and enjoy a fine dining experience as fun festive activities happen all around you.