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Disneyland Christmas 2022! Complete Guide + Tips To Have the Merriest of Times!

The Disneyland Holiday Season happens to be my absolute favorite time of year to visit the Disneyland Resort. I mean, what could be more magical than the happiest place on Earth during the holidays? Disneyland will be transforming into a winter wonderland, for the 2022 holiday season.

If you know anything about our family, it’s that we set our bar for the holidays high because it’s our absolute favorite time of year. I mean we brought out the decorations in our house before Disney even got around to decorating their park.

That being said it’s pretty hard to impress us, but the Disneyland Christmas festivities haven’t failed us yet! Grab our Pro Tips below to save time & money + avoid the crowds this holiday season at Disneyland Park & Disney California Adventure.

The Disneyland Holiday Season has begun. Grab our Pro Tips for surviving a trip at the parks during this extremely busy time of year. Also, get a sneak peek of all the entertainment & food offerings new this year. #disneylandholidays #disneyfan #disneylandchristmas  

California Adventure has a ton of festive things to do this Holiday Season, from a holiday twist on the World of Color Show to amazing treats. Let’s Check out all the amazing Holiday Activities.

World of Color Season of Light

World of Color - Season of Light -
World of Color Season of Light

Watch this iconic show as well-known scenes from Disney and Pixar movies shine on a tall wall of mist. Watch as thousands of towering fountains dance to Christmas music while snowflakes sparkle all around. Discover a captivating show that is as enticing and magical as the holidays themselves!

Visit Radiator Springs for Holiday Themed Rides & Characters

Disneyland Holiday 2019

Cars Land will be decked out this holiday season with two of its major attractions transform into holiday-themed themed rides, Luigi’s Joy to the Whirl and Mater’s Jingle Jamboree. 

Mater’s Jungle Jamboree will have you swinging around to Mater’s favorite holiday songs. Luigi’s Joy to the World will be decked out in Holiday Decor and the cars will dance to holiday beats.

Festival of Holidays Returns

California Adventure Park is also in the holiday mood. The Disneyland Holiday Season has begun. Grab our Pro Tips for surviving a trip at the parks during this extremely busy time of year. Also, get a sneak peek of all the entertainment & food offerings new this year. #disneylandholidays #disneyfan #disneylandchristmas

There’s so much to do here. First stop, the Festive Food Marketplace because there’s nothing better than yummy multicultural comfort foods, wine, and the Christmas spirit.

Then find Viva Navidad, part of the festival celebrating the Latino holiday culture. It’s really unique and our kids always enjoy getting to experience something new. The festival also has face painting, cookie decorating, sunset concerts, and a celebration of Three Kings Day.

California Adventure Park is also in the holiday mood. The Disneyland Holiday Season has begun. Grab our Pro Tips for surviving a trip at the parks during this extremely busy time of year. Also, get a sneak peek of all the entertainment & food offerings new this year. #disneylandholidays #disneyfan #disneylandchristmas

We also love being able to educate our kids on all of the wonderful holiday celebrations that occur this time of year such as Christmas/ Navidad, Hannukah, Kwanza, and Three Kings Day.

All of which are featured in the Festival of Holidays. Check out our Ultimate Guide to Disney’s Festival of Holidays post here (includes a FULL menu of food & drink offerings).

*Pro Tip- stop and make some crafts with the kids. You’ll get a break from the crowds and long lines.

Visit Santa Claus at the Redwood Creek Challenge!

While you can see Santa from a distance at the Christmas Parade, you have to head to California Adventure to meet him. Visit with the big man himself, Santa Claus at the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail. The whole trail is full of holiday-themed activities and mischievous elves.

Downtown Disney Christmas Events

  • Downtown doesn’t skip a beat in decorating for the holidays. It’s a great place to walk around and grab dinner even if you aren’t going to the park. Most of the restaurants are decked out and offer holiday menus.

Breakfast with Santa 

One of our favorite annual traditions is Breakfast with Santa at Catal Restaurant located in Downtown Disney.

Here your family is treated to a DELICIOUS (not like a character breakfast buffet, this is quality dining) family-style breakfast, they have had a hot cocoa cart in the past, and the BEST part is Santa himself stops by for a long visit with the kids. It is our FAVORITE Santa experience!

DSC02991 1

Disneyland Holiday Treats to Eat

If you didn’t already know, one of the most magical things about Disney is that calories don’t count. Okay well, maybe they do but they’re well worth it especially when they’re in a Disney Christmas treat. Here’s how to satisfy your sweet tooth and your holiday cravings.

The Famous Handmade Candy Canes!!

If you want this coveted holiday treat you will need to arrive at least one hour prior to park opening to line up for your wristband.

With only 135 of them made per day, they go quick! The Candy Canes are available at Candy Palace in Disneyland and Trolley Treats in California Adventure. Check out this video of how the Candy Cane’s are made.

Candy Cane Beignets and Peppermint Mochas at the Mint Julep Bar in Disneyland

The Disneyland Holiday Season has begun. Grab our Pro Tips for surviving a trip at the parks during this extremely busy time of year. Also, get a sneak peek of all the entertainment & food offerings new this year. #disneylandholidays #disneyfan #disneylandchristmas
  • Peppermint Ice Cream in a dipped cone at the Gibson Girl Ice Cream Parlor on Main Street
  • Turkey Pot Pie Soup at the Pacific Wharf in California Adventure
  • Boudin Bread Cart Candy Cane and Holiday Tree shaped bread
  • Gingerbread Cookies next to the Gingerbread House in the Grand Californian
California Adventure Park is also in the holiday mood. The Disneyland Holiday Season has begun. Grab our Pro Tips for surviving a trip at the parks during this extremely busy time of year. Also, get a sneak peek of all the entertainment & food offerings new this year. #disneylandholidays #disneyfan #disneylandchristmas

Disneyland Holiday Survival Tips

Pick the Right Date to Visit-

Check Is it Packed to see which of the 60 days of the Disneyland Christmas season works best for you and your family. The week of Christmas is known to be the busiest of the year, but hey it’s an experience. Also, make note of what days have extended hours so you can take advantage of those.

We typically try to catch the park right around Thanksgiving and the first weeks of December, and like always if you can go on a weekday you’re a little better off. *Pro Tip- The word is Wednesday is the slowest day of the week because it is the furthest from the weekend!  

Buy Discounted Tickets in Advance

Our favorite discounted Disney Ticket reseller is ARES TRAVEL, but note that they only sell multi-day park hopper tickets.

Navigating the Holiday Lines

Download the Disneyland App

Check wait times,  skip ticket lines, check FASTPASS return times (and book them with the MaxPass), make Dining Reservations, view your PhotoPass photos & much more! Download the app here.

Maximize Single Rider Lines-

If you are traveling with adults or older children I highly suggest maximizing your time by splitting up and riding single. To use single rider at these attractions you’ll need to ask a Cast Member for a single rider pass at the front of the line for the attraction, they will instruct you where to go. Single rider lines are available for the following attractions.

  • California Screamin’
  • Goofy’s Sky School
  • Grizzly River Run
  • Indiana Jones Adventure
  • Radiator Springs Racers
  • Soarin’ Around the World
  • Splash Mountain
  • *Pro Tip- Matterhorn Bobsleds also offers single rider passes (*not advertised but if you ask a cast member they will guide you where to go)

Make Dining Reservations in Advance-

With peak crowds, dining can also become difficult. Save time and hassle by making any full-service dining reservations well in advance. (Check out my tips on Disneyland Dining Reservations Here!)

Head to the BIG Rides During the Parades and Fireworks-

If you’re taking multiple trips to the park this year, hit the big rides like Space Mountain and Indiana Jones during the parade and fireworks.

*Pro Tip- We do both by splitting up. Team one saves our spot, while Team 2 heads to a major attraction (using MaxPass to book a FASTPASS or using Single Rider lines. Then the teams swap. This allows us to save a spot and enjoy an added attraction with less of a wait.

Visit Santa on Your Way Out of the Park

We learned this one by coincidence last year when we stayed until closing time and just happened to walk past the Redwood Creek Trail. We were the ONLY ones; no line and we had Santa Claus all to ourselves. Just make sure you check your park guide for his hours so you don’t miss him!

**Most importantly EMBRACE the chaos!

The Disneyland Holiday Season is magical but it requires you to set your expectations. This is not a trip where you are going to conquer a ton of rides. This is a trip to embrace the holiday magic and create memories that will last a lifetime!

Where to Stay During the Holiday Season in 2022

The Disneyland Holiday Season has begun. Grab our Pro Tips for surviving a trip at the parks during this extremely busy time of year. Also, get a sneak peek of all the entertainment & food offerings new this year. #disneylandholidays #disneyfan #disneylandchristmas

Your Disneyland trip can be enhanced by an overnight stay at one of the Disney Resorts. Each resort is meant to make you feel right at home with their decorated lobbies and unique holiday trees. *Pro Tip- Make sure to stay on property as these hotels allow early bird entry into the parks, an amazing bonus on crowded days!

The Grand Californian

Coming out of a one-year renovation a stay at the Grand Californian is quite the treat this holiday season. The Giant Gingerbread House is amazing and definitely worth a visit.

Newly Rennovated Suite at Disney Grand Californian. Learn how the Disneyland Holiday Season comes to the hotels
  • *Pro Tip- Make sure to take a walk around the hotel lobby, even if you aren’t staying there. There’s a 7-foot tall gingerbread replica of the hotel created with edible materials and made by a 25 person team! They also make a tasty spiked rum & apple cider too! 

The Disneyland Hotel

We love the pool and slide area, not to mention being able to grab a drink at Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar. Maybe he’ll whip up some special drinks for Christmas this year!

Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel

This is the place to be if you’re a fan of Mickey and Friends Character Breakfast. They also offer firework viewing for guests from their pool deck on certain nights, which is great for avoiding crowds.

*Pro Tip- Did you know you can visit Santa Claus at the Disneyland Resort Hotels too? See Saint Nick will make appearances at The Paradise Pier Hotel (find him in the Crystal Cove Foyer), The Grand Californian Hotel (making appearances in The Grand Hall), and at the Disneyland Hotel (find him in The Grand Ballroom). Contact the hotel for times.

If you need help planning and booking your magical Disneyland vacation, contact our friends at Tink’s Magical Vacations. They are truly Disney Experts, and not only are their services FREE, but they will save you both time and money.

Pin for Later- Ultimate Guide to Disneyland Holiday

How Long is the Disneyland Holiday Season

The Holiday Season at the Disneyland Resort is running from November 11, 2022 through January 8, 2023

How Busy is Disneyland during the Holiday Season

It’s very busy most of the time, but there are exceptions. During the first two weeks of December crowds are not quite as busy as they are during the final weeks of the month.

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Comments

  2. Yes!! It’s a steal. I am not sure how long they will offer it with the PhotoPass but for us it totally makes the Max Pass worth the purchase.

    Reply

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