10 Reasons to Visit Disneyland During the Holidays

Disneyland is truly magical during the holidays. It is our favorite time to visit! Our family loves the weather, sights, smells and special festive touches during the holiday months. We love traveling as a family, and our favorite gift to give each other is the gift of time and memories. We love spending time together at Disneyland and the fun memories we make!

We love using Get Away Today to book our Disneyland vacations, too. They have the best price with discount Disneyland tickets, reduced hotel rates and more. You save even more when you use promo code: CraftingChicks to get an additional $10 off your 2-night or longer Disneyland vacation. Plus, their travel experts will help you plan and give you all the best tips for visiting Disneyland during the Holidays.

Today I’m sharing our top 10 reasons to visit Disneyland during the holidays!

1. The Decor!

We love how both Disneyland and California Adventure are Decked out for Christmas throughout the parks. There is holiday decor everywhere you turn, even in the tiniest details. Some of our favorite decor is in Car’s Land. The Christmas decor ties in with the theme in each part of the park. How cute are the hub cap ornaments on the trees in Car’s Land?!

Even the horses are decked out for the holidays in Jingle bells! Try taking a “sleigh ride” with these festive horses. Look at the poinsettia flowers in the horse’s mane!

We loved to look at each tree in both Disneyland and California Adventure. Each tree was so different, and full of interesting and beautiful ornaments. We loved the tall, grand trees as you entered the parks.

2. Festival of Holidays

The Festival of Holidays is new this year to California Adventure. There were so many amazing holiday cultural experiences for my family to enjoy. I love watching my children learn about different cultures, try new foods, and hear new music. This was definitely a highlight of our visit.

We loved experiencing the Festive Foods Marketplace Kiosks. We were able to try holiday foods from different countries.

We were so thrilled to encounter holiday crafts from different tables for my children to enjoy making. You know the Crafting Chicks and little Chickies love a good craft. This was the sweetest touch to the “Festival of Holidays.”

3. Santa’s Holiday Visit

How fun to combine a visit with Santa during your magical Disneyland experience. You can find Santa in the cutest North Pole set-up ever, when you visit the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail in California Adventure. Kid’s can meet Santa and play Elf Games! The elves were our favorite. They were so sweet and cute with the kids.

Santa also stops in “Critter Country” in Disneyland, near the Winnie the Pooh ride.

Have your camera ready for some seriously cute photos with Santa. Photographers are everywhere in Disneyland, even with Santa…just have your photopass card ready:)
4. “It’s A Small World” Holiday

Disneyland is celebrating 20 years of “It’s a Small World” Holiday.

We loved watching “It’s a Small World” light up at night! My kids loved riding the ride…and we had to ride it a few times. This year you can “spy” secret 20’s hidden throughout the ride in honor of the 20th Small World Holiday Anniversary.

5. Nighttime Shows

World of Color in California Adventure-Season Of Light

During the holidays, the World of Color show is transformed into a holiday spectacular! This show is a must see and truly magical. Check out all of the World of Color details so you can be ready for the show when you visit California Adventure.

Disneyland Christmas Fantasy Parade

My kids loved the Disneyland Christmas Fantasy Parade…We could not get enough of the prancing reindeer, trotting snowmen, and all of the Disney characters, singing and dancing to the most fantastic, merry music. My kids were in awe of the parade magic with all of the festive holiday lights! The icing on the parade cake was watching Santa’s sleigh ride in at the end of the parade. Check times for the Christmas Fantasy Parade details, and find a good spot (we like lining up around “It’s A Small World”) for great views of the parade.

6. The Treats-Disney Holiday Goodies

This might be my top reason! We love Disneyland treats any time of the year, but Disney Holiday Treats are even a bit sweeter. Our family had to sample the homemade gingerbread, holiday Mickey cookies and hot cocoa! Check out all of the Holiday Goodies Disneyland has to offer during the Christmas Season.7. The Haunted Mansion Holiday

The Haunted Mansion Holiday with Tim Burton’s “The Nightmare Before Christmas” has become a classic holiday experience in Disneyland.

For the past 15 years, the Haunted Mansion has transformed for the holidays and we love it! We love seeing who’s names are on the “naughty lists” inside. I found my name this year!

8. Mailing Christmas Postcards

Mail your Christmas letters from Disneyland this year! You can find mailboxes throughout the parks waiting for a postcard, or letter to send to loved ones. My kids loved mailing postcards to Grandma and Grandpa at home.
9. Holiday Characters

Mickey and his friends are all dressed up for the holidays and ready to greet guests! My kids loved meeting Festive Mickey, all dressed in red and green. Disney Characters can be found at Buena Vista Street (just after the entrance in California Adventure), and near Main Street in Disneyland. We loved seeing Goofy, Donald Duck, Pluto, Mickey, Minnie and more…all dressed up and ready for Christmas!

10. Our favorite insider tip, and treat! This makes any top Disneyland chart! While you are in California Adventure, you MUST enjoy their delicious Mac n’ Cheese in a soft homemade bread bowl! We had to order a few of these babies. Pure comfort food and reason enough to go back! The trick is you cannot find this on the menu. Both are separate. Just ask for their Mac n’ Cheese in a bread bowl. You can find this goodness at the Pacific Wharf Cafe.

You can save the most on your trip to Disneyland during the holidays when you book with Get Away Today. From discount Disneyland tickets to Extra Night Free hotel specials, you’ll know you’re getting the best price and best service. Book online at getawaytoday.com or by calling 855-GET-AWAY. Don’t forget to mention promo code: CraftingChicks for an extra $10 off your 2-night or longer package.

Check out our other fun Disneyland Info and tips!

Summertime in Disneyland