Christmas Time & Festival of Holidays is a season of extra joy at the Disneyland Resort. You’ll find merry change-ups of classic Disney rides, featured Holiday foods from multiple cultures, new Holiday spirited shows, special character meet-ups and LOTS OF LIGHTS. Combining the quality of Disneyland magic with the Spirit of the Holidays creates some of the most unforgettable moments of the year for our family. Disneyland’s Christmas offerings spread cheer for thousands of families before and even after the Holidays. Here are some of our favorite Holiday go-to’s to get into the spirit of the season:
- Disneyland rides decorated for the season – “It’s a Small World” Holiday and Haunted Mansion Holiday
- Disney’s California Adventure rides decorated for the Holidays – Mater’s Jingle Jamboree and Luigi’s Joy to the Whirl
- Redwood Creek Challenge Trail – Meet Santa, his Elves and Santa Goofy, decorate Holiday cookies, and explore the Challenge Trail with a seasonal activity map.
- Santa Meet and Greet locations (and where to find Mrs. Claus)
- Find Mickey and his friends in Holiday attire
Rides for the Holidays
Imagine your favorite rides taken to the next level! Disneyland does an amazing job of taking our classic, favorite rides and turning them into something Clark Griswold would be overly envious of.
It’s a Small World Holiday
While small world is currently closed due to a little problem, we hope it will open before the 2021 season is over.
“It’s a Small World” Holiday is the perfect ride for any age! Disney takes this timeless classic and decorates it in thousands of lights inside and out. Everything about their Holiday overlay is perfect, down to the SMELLS. My children had fun trying to guess what each new “room” in the ride smelled like.
Imagine floating through It’s a Small World, being mesmerized by the lights, enchanted by classic Holiday songs in different languages and smelling pine, cinnamon and vanilla. It is always a true favorite by everyone in our family. (This attraction is available for any height)
Haunted Mansion Holiday
Disneyland’s traditional Haunted Mansion goes through extensive construction and gains a remarkable overlay to create the Haunted Mansion Holiday. The usual haunts and ghouls are replaced by Jack, Sally and Zero from a Nightmare Before Christmas. This Holiday must-see is a favorite of my kids. In fact, they prefer this brighter and more colorful version over the original and they love to see the new gingerbread house featured in the ballroom each year. Beware of long wait times, and come early to grab a Fast Pass, you’ll need it when waiting with children! (Bonus: This attraction is available for any height!)
Mater’s Jingle Jamboree
Get ready for a Haul-iday tractor spin at Disney California Adventure! DCA does not remake this ride with much Holiday décor, but they do change Mater’s hoe-down songs to cheesy Jamboree seasons greetings. Mater has only a few new Holiday songs on rotation, including Jingle Jamboree and a cute song about tractors spinning to the tune of “I Have a Little Dreidel,” Even though the ride does not undergo a huge transformation, it is always a fun go-to ride and one of my son’s favorites. On the plus side, even in huge crowds, the line rarely seems to be very long. (Guests must be 32” and taller in order to ride.)
Luigi’s Joy to the Whirl
Joy to the Whirl is also advertised through the Disneyland website as a ride for Festival of Holidays, but like Mater’s Jingle Jamboree, it does not have much in the way of Holiday transformation. The only Holiday differences I could find were some tinsel and a gold star on top of the tires at the entrance and a seasonal music change. Regardless of the lack of extra seasonal cheer, the ride is always a family favorite and my son had a great time. (Guests must be 32” and taller, in order to ride)
Redwood Creek Challenge Trail
This whole area needs its own section! There is so much for families to do. The extra seasonal activities are perfectly located in one area, which makes it convenient for someone to take the kids around and explore while the rest of the party waits in the long line to meet Santa. I will be featuring the Holiday special things to do in this area, but it is also a fun place to play year-round! Kids can play on swinging bridges, nets made of rope, slides, caves to adventure into themed after Brother Bear, kid’s zip lining and multiple character meet and greets.
Meet Santa and His Elves
You can meet Santa in a few locations (which I will get to later) but this location is by far our family’s favorite! Santa’s open-aired lodge is nestled in Redwood Creek with his Holiday Elves. While you are waiting in line you can sign Santa’s Nice List and collect a festive candy cane after your joyful visit with Jolly Ol’ St. Nick.
Santa’s Elves are also the sweetest. We met Rosemary and Glitter this year and they told my kids about their jobs at the North Pole. Glitter is in charge of everything that glitters, gleams and glows, and I’m over here wondering how I can get paid to be in charge of that because that sounds like the dream.
Check for Santa’s meet times on the Disneyland app. When we checked it was Monday-Friday 10AM-5PM and weekends 9AM-8PM.
After St. Nick heads back to the North Pole, you can get a picture with Goofy in his Santa suit in the same spot at Redwood Creek Trail from December 26, 2019 through January 6, 2020.
Decorate Holiday Cookies
For $7.75 you can purchase a Mickey Snowman Cookie Decorating Kit. Design your own cookie and give it to a friend to score a spot on the nice list, or you know, just enjoy it. Liam made his own and exclaimed, “it’s delicious!”
Search for Santa’s Presents
Grab a free activity map and go on a quest for Santa’s presents! As you find presents along the trail (hints are located on your activity map) you can complete a puzzle to find out what kind of snacks elves like at the North Pole.
Meet and Greet Santa Locations (and where to find Mrs. Claus)
For all of these locations be sure to check Disneyland app times.
- Disneyland – Pooh’s Thoughtful Spot. Find Santa and Mrs. Claus
- Disney’s California Adventure – Redwood Creek Challenge Trail. Find Santa and his Elves. December 26, 2019 through January 6, 2020 Santa Goofy
- Disneyland Hotel – Main Lobby for Santa
- Disney’s Grand California Hotel & Spa – Great Hall for Santa
- Paradise Pier Hotel – Crystal Cove Foyer for Santa
Mickey and Friends in Their Holiday Best
You can find Mickey and his friends in TWO different seasonal costume changes in Disneyland!
- Town Square/Main Street – Meet Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Chip and Dale in adorable outfits decked out in color schemes of red and green, white and blue speckled with large white snowflakes.
- Toontown – Meet Mickey and his friends in traditional Christmas colors as they tour the town.
It’s Disney Vacation Time!
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ust imagine giving the gift of a Disneyland vacation to someone special in your life:
And if the gift of a Disney vacation sounds just perfect for that special someone in your life, we’ve all the deals on your favorite Disney destinations – HERE
Let’s Hear From You
The holidays at Disneyland are always exceptional, but experiencing the magic through my kids’ eyes has brought a whole new level of excitement to the most magical time of the year. Hopefully, you take this list of family “must do’s” and turn them into your own family memories, or traditions, that continue as your kids grow. Let me know what’s on the top of YOUR Disneyland Holiday to-do list in the comments section below.
More Christmas . . .
Looking for more holiday tips and information? We have an entire page of articles just about the Christmas season HERE.