‘Tis the season…

Disneyland

Believe it or not, the holidays are almost here. While Halloween Time has essentially just begun at Disneyland, we can’t help but think ahead to the Christmas season that follows right behind it! Disney recently released some first looks at all the new holiday experiences and returning festive favorites coming back to the resort this year. Let’s dive in!

Disneyland’s holiday celebrations will kick off on November 15th, which will also mark the long-awaited West Coast opening day for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. 

©Disney

Kids and adults alike will be delighted to know that Santa Claus will be appearing at several locations around the Disneyland Resort. These include Disneyland’s Fantasyland Theatre at Disneyland, where Santa and certain Disney characters will meet with guests. In addition, the theatre will also feature “cookie decorating, craft making, storytelling, and atmospheric music throughout the day.” Santa will also appear at California Adventure’s Redwood Creek Challenge, Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, the Disneyland Hotel, and the Pixar Place Hotel through December 24th.

Santa!

Speaking of Disney characters, Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Goofy, Clarabelle Cow, Donald Duck, and Daisy Duck will be appearing on Main Street in brand-new holiday costumes. According to Disney, these new looks will be “reminiscent of writing warm letters to loved ones during the holidays.”

©Disney

Other new offerings include the Chip and Dale’s Ornament Trail at the Downtown Disney District. Guests will be able to search for ornaments hidden among the holiday trees throughout Downtown Disney. You’ll also be able to purchase an activity map at select shopping locations in Downtown Disney and Disneyland’s hotels, which you can redeem for a collectible holiday souvenir at World of Disney or Disney’s Pin Traders.

Beginning on November 19th, you’ll be able to enjoy Mickey’s Holiday Pajama Party breakfast and brunch at Storytellers Cafe at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa. This event will feature holiday-themed meals, seasonal décor, and special characters donning new pajamas. This is in addition to Goofy’s Kitchen Celebrates the Holidays!, which will be returning to the Disneyland Hotel. Reservations for both will be available soon.

As you would expect, there will also be a litany of new Holiday merchandise available resort-wide, including sweaters, Loungeflys, and ears. 

©Disney

In addition to all of these new offerings, many longtime favorites are returning to Disneyland this holiday season. These include the resort’s traditional decorations, the Christmas Fantasy Parade at Disneyland, each park’s Holiday night time spectacular (Believe…In Holiday Magic at Disneyland and World of Color – Season of Light at California Adventure), and the always popular holiday overlays of “it’s a small world” Holiday, Haunted Mansion Holiday, Mater’s Jingle Jamboree, and Luigi’s Joy to the Whirl. 

Haunted Mansion Holiday is BACK!

The Festival of Holidays will return to California Adventure and feature a “diverse season of celebrations in Southern California with a wide range of flavorful food and beverages, a variety of live entertainment and more.”  The park will also once again be home to Disney ¡Viva Navidad!, which includes “daily crafts, live music, menu items and décor inspired by Latin American traditions – with a dash of Disney flair.” Characters including Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, The Three Caballeros, and Mirabel from Encanto will be featured during ¡Viva Navidad!.

© Disney

On the hotel front, the Grand Californian Hotel will feature a massive gingerbread house on display, and all of the property’s hotels will feature “festive in-room celebrations available for purchase and special activities and entertainment during the holidays. “

Finally, you’ll be able to experience “snowfall” at various spots across the resort, including along the Rivers of America, outside of “it’s a small world” Holiday, and on Main Street, U.S.A. at Disneyland, as well as the at the west end of Downtown Disney.

Disneyland

Disneyland’s holiday celebrations will kick off on November 15th and run through January 6th, 2025. Stay tuned to DFB for further coverage of the resort’s holiday offerings. 

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What’s your favorite element of the holidays at Disneyland? Let us know in the comments below.