Although Halloween at Disneyland is easily my favorite seasonal experience at the Southern California parks, for many the holidays reign supreme. Disneyland Resort and California Adventure are going all out when it comes to Christmas time in the parks, filling them with unique treats to try, merchandise to buy and, most importantly, activities to experience.
Disneyland invited me to the first day of the holiday season, which runs from now until January 7th. From returning favorites to a few new surprises, guests can enjoy plenty of entertainment over the next few months. I have to admit, as strong as my love for Halloween is, there is something magical about being at Disneyland during the holidays.
Disneyland and California Adventure are transforming in a big way
Entering Disneyland is a magical experience in itself, walking through the arches and seeing the Disneyland train station for the first time sets the tone and things only get better from there. When you get a little further and see Cinderella's Castle in the distance, there is nothing like it. The sights combined with the sounds confirm that the day will be good regardless of the circumstances.
However, Disneyland at Christmas time is a special decoration. You are surrounded by garlands and holiday decorations in every corner. The music is appropriately Christmassy. And if you catch just the right whiff of a food, there's a bit of festive sensory overload. But the big themed details that make Disney Vacations unique are the snow-covered towers of Cinderella's castle and the towering Christmas trees that take center stage at both Disneyland and California Adventure. Like massive pumpkins at Halloween time, these trees are a major focal point, setting the stage for a seasonal experience unlike any other. And the castle at night, all lit up, is something else.
There really is very little corner of Disneyland and California Adventure that hasn't been sprinkled with a little holiday cheer during the season. It's hard to escape the contagious atmosphere and why would you want to?
The design of the parks doesn't go overboard, everyone's favorite characters have some new holiday clothes, from Mickey and Minnie to Chip and Dale. For many Disney theme park fans, getting seasonal character pictures is a must, and I have to say, this year's outfits are fantastic. However, Chip and Dale take top honors for their Gingerbread Man get-up. And if you look at California Adventure, you can see many of the same characters in winter clothing.
Disneyland also has a meet and greet with Santa (and a few other characters like Jiminy Cricket) in the Fantasyland Theater.
All of the little touches that turn Disneyland and California Adventure into a winter wonderland are what make the vacation so sought after by so many guests. It's truly something you can only understand when you experience it for yourself. There's beauty in the design of each element, and listening to Holiday music further kicks off a home that's transitioning from fall to winter (even though it's technically still fall).
The holidays bring parades, fireworks, ride overlays and more
When I visited Disneyland for the holiday events, it was a rainy day, so a lot of the experiences that are offered in season were not available or were canceled. However, many of them are returning from previous years and I can say that they are all fantastic. I have since seen the show “A Christmas Fantasy” which features both Disney and Pixar favorites and has a very catchy theme song. For Encanto fans, California Adventure has a Mirabel's Gifts of the Season show that hits many of the fan-favorite songs from the movie and features appearances by several members of the Madrigal family.
For older audiences, DCA also has a holiday-themed performance of Deadpool back, where he tells a holiday tale (this year it was Twas the Night Before Christmas), takes every opportunity to improvise, and is visited by his good buddy Wolverine. Every Deadpool show I've seen since he started appearing in promotions last year Deadpool and Wolverine was hilarious, and this iteration of the Holiday Special is no different.
And of course, it wouldn't be a new season without a nightly spectacle. Believe…in Holiday Magic is back (with fireworks on select nights and weather permitting) to serve as the perfect end to a day full of holiday cheer. The original song is the star of the show, but the orchestral versions of holiday classics like The Three Kings are simply sublime. And the finale for Believe, which I won't spoil, is just perfect.
Ride overlays during the Disneyland holiday season
Haunted Mansion Holiday is still active during the holiday season, and while I prefer the standard Haunted Mansion, I know tons of fans flock to Disney just to see this iteration. If, like me, you saw it during Halloween time, you might do a double dip, but be prepared for lines because it's popular.
It's a Small World will also get a holiday overlay, starting first with the exterior, which is loaded with Christmas lights. Witnessing the illumination of Small World is an experience in itself and makes for a fantastic night photo spot.
The mix of jingle bells and the iconic Small World song throughout the ride gives the Disneyland classic its own personality. So many characters are wearing holiday clothes that you have to go through them a few times to see everything.
Disneyland Holiday Merch brings a cute and cozy atmosphere
A new season means new merchandise, and while Disneyland hasn't gone overboard with items this year, there are still some great options available. Minnie carrying her freshly cut bucket of popcorn up the Christmas tree is incredible, as is Mickey as Santa. There are new candy cane themed Mickey ears, new badges to collect and some fun outfit designs inspired by the warm and cozy season.
Since it's getting colder, a lot of clothing is designed to keep you warm, but there are still cute shirt designs and accessories. I blew my budget on Halloween merch (as always) so for me it's all about admiring from a distance. However, if you love the season, Disneyland has you covered.
Try all of Disneyland's delicious food and treats
Disneyland has a variety of dining options for this holiday season, including the return of the California Adventure Holiday Festival. As you might expect, the food menu ranges from popular favorites to sweet treats and Mexican-inspired dishes. Peppermints, gingerbread, and pumpkins abound in both parks, but there are some foods inspired by the savory/sweet mix you usually see at Thanksgiving, as well as some completely unexpected items.
The Festival of the Holidays is back in 2025 with 6 different stalls offering a range of savory food, sweet treats and soft and alcoholic drinks. It's not as big as the Food and Wine Festival, but the Holiday Festival has something for everyone.
I'm always drawn to the fresh baked chocolate chip cookies at Harbor Galley every time I visit Disneyland, and for the holiday season the Galley has fresh baked gingerbread cookies that are fantastic. If you're looking to make your winter a little more Peppermint-y, Mint Julep Bar's Seasonal Beignet is Peppermint and is one of my favorite seasonal beignet options. At Alien Pizza Planet, Disneyland always likes to tweak its Alien macarons, and for the holidays, it's full of salted caramel and cookies with cute reindeer antlers on a Toy Story alien face.
But my personal favorite of all the treats at Disneyland during the holidays is the Toffee Pretzel from the pretzel cart in Tommorowland. It's dusted with caramel sugar that I could eat all by itself, but smothered over a cream cheese pretzel is what pushes it over the edge. I know I'm not alone in saying that I wish the Tofee Pretzel was available year-round.
On the savory front, I tried the Claw-sagna pasta because I'm a Ricotta wannabe. It was my only disappointment of the day as I didn't find it particularly special. The taste is good but it is too bright to give again. I also tried the Merry Cranberry Crispy Chicken sandwich, which delivers the sweet-spicy vibes that are a hallmark of Thanksgiving. It was delicious.
The Holiday Food Stall Festival has something for everyone
As with other events centered around the California Adventure booth, there is a Sip & Savor Pass that you can purchase to get a discount on food. The Pass entitles you to 6 selections from various stalls, minus alcoholic beverages and a massive turkey leg. You can use your Sip & Savor Pass all at once during a single visit, or save redemptions for repeat trips to California Adventure. It's a great value if you're interested in at least 6 items and worth the investment, but if you just want to sample an item or two, you can.
During my holiday trip to Disneyland, I tried some new and returning favorites. Holiday Duet pairs Kugel Mac & Cheese with Al Pastor Mac & Cheese for a supremely creamy combination that packs a punch. Holiday M&M's Eclair is decadent and filled with delicious chocolate mousse. Barbacoa Tamal de Res provides a comforting feeling of home. The Beef Brisket Slider is juicy, tender and simply melts in your mouth. Braised Pork Belly Adobo has a bit of a kick to it and is incredibly tender. And for something a little different I tried the Guava Mango Lassi which was thick and creamy with just enough sweetness to cut through the rich savory dishes I tried.
The Holiday Foods Marketplace has a nice array of booths this year. There were enough tempting dishes to make it difficult to decide where to spend your 6 Sip & Savor redemption and everything I tried was delicious. I would imagine most will find at least one or two options that interest them and won't be disappointed.
There's a reason Disneyland Vacation is loved by so many fans. The parks incorporate everything you'd expect from seasonal themes into every aspect of the park, but here they turn it up to 11. From the castle to the food to the characters to the ride overlays, this is the premiere seasonal experience at Disneyland. I can't wait to go back and experience things I didn't experience the first time, and honestly, I'll do everything else over and over again.
