DISNEYLAND UPDATE: Pink Slips & Poinsettias as Seasons Shift

Halloween’s barely in the rearview and the Disneyland Resort is already trading pumpkins for poinsettias. The official holiday rollout hits November 14, 2025, but change is already rippling through the parks—onstage and backstage.

The headliner surprise: Big Thunder Mountain Railroad quietly reopened yesterday (Nov. 1) despite its “TBA” refurb tag. The less-festive news: a round of layoffs and deep hours cuts (hello, thinner PhotoPass coverage) that may translate to longer lines, fewer characters, and a little less polish than usual.

If you’re crowd-averse, there’s a silver lining… attendance has been softer than typical for this season, with lighter hotel demand around Anaheim and some genuinely decent room rates. On the ticket front, those elusive $104 Tier 0 days pop up on select November weekdays, and a California resident 3-day Park Hopper lands December 3 for visits Jan. 1–May 21, 2026 at $249. Park hours stretch on Nov. 14 (Disneyland to midnight Fri/Sat; DCA to 10 p.m. on weekends), and Magic Keys (Inspire/Believe) return to the queue tomorrow, Nov. 4.

Entertainment isn’t taking the season off. Deadpool (and sometimes Wolverine) crash the party with a Holiday Story Time near Avengers Campus—plus a chimichanga cameo at Pym. You’ll find expanded holiday meet-and-greets, parades and street parties, and character dining across the resort, with Santa setting up shop in multiple spots. We’ll also walk Downtown Disney’s stop-and-go construction, peek at Fantasyland’s Storybook Land progress, run the refurb tracker, note Disney’s $1M hurricane relief donation, say goodbye to Blinky as the Christmas tree moves in, check out Magic Key trading cards, and point you to what’s actually in stock online so resellers don’t eat your lunch.

In short, there are early thrills, leaner staffing, shorter lines (for now), more tinsel by the hour, and plenty of ways to plan smarter. Let’s get to it.

Cast Member Layoffs & Cutbacks

Last week, about 100 Disneyland Cast Members were laid off. And while the pre-holiday timing is especially rough, Disney isn’t the only entertainment company tightening its belt. Following pandemic production shutdowns and last year’s actors’ and writers’ strikes, much of the industry is still searching for ways to cut costs.

According to Disney, eliminating roughly 100 (mostly salaried) positions is part of “recalibrating” the organization. The real question is whether guests will feel that recalibration in the parks.

Disney’s full statement reads:

“With our business in a period of steady, sustained operation, we are recalibrating our organization to ensure we continue to deliver exceptional experiences for our guests, while positioning Disneyland Resort for the future. As part of this, we’ve made the difficult decision to eliminate a limited number of salaried positions. We are deeply grateful for the contributions of these cast members and are committed to supporting them with care, respect, and resources during this transition.”

According to the 2024 Themed Entertainment Association attendance report, Disneyland attendance increased just 0.5% between 2023 and 2024. But this year tells a different story: crowd levels are lower, operating hours have been trimmed, and live entertainment has been scaled back. Lighter-than-usual hotel bookings around Anaheim suggest fewer out-of-town visitors are making the trip.

But the layoffs aren’t the full story. Disneyland is also cutting hours for many Cast Members who remain employed. Workers across departments have voiced frustration about steep reductions that make it difficult to make ends meet. PhotoPass, already understaffed, has scaled back coverage—and some part-time photographers are reportedly down to as few as four hours a week.

So yes, guests are likely to notice the effects. Fewer photographers, fewer characters, longer lines at stores, and maybe even slower restroom cleaning—it’s all part of the current round of cost-saving measures.

The one upside: fewer guests. Many recent days have been less crowded than typical for the season, and with soft hotel demand, there are some genuinely good rates around Anaheim. As always, crowd patterns will vary depending on school breaks and dynamic pricing.

And speaking of pricing…

The elusive $104 Tier 0 single-park tickets are available on eight weekday dates in November. Starting December 3, a California resident 3-Day Park Hopper offer goes on sale for $249 (valid Jan. 1–May 21, 2026), working out to about $83 per day.

And also in the good news department: beginning November 14, Disneyland will once again stay open until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays. Disney California Adventure will close at 10 p.m. on weekends (the parks will close at 11 p.m. and 9 p.m. on weekdays).

Magic Key Sales Unlock

Starting tomorrow, November 4, Inspire Keys and Believe Keys will go back on sale, no earlier than 9 a.m. PT, with the online queue opening no earlier than 8:45 a.m. PT.

But as glad as we are to see the top two keys return, they return with more blockout dates. The most expensive key now has 11 blockout days at the end of next year instead of the 10 it had this year.  

Enchant and Imagine Keys are not available for new sales and can only be renewed at this time.

As always, Magic Keys are only available while supplies last. And “while supplies last” is the key when it comes to Magic Keys, as availability is always unpredictable. We’ve seen Keys sell out in a matter of hours, but we’ve also seen sales stay open for months — there’s no clear pattern — so if you’re thinking about buying a Magic Key, don’t think too long.

Some Disneyland Magic Keys Are Unlocking Again – Everything You Need To Know

He’s Back!

Love him or hate him (we love him), Deadpool is returning to California Adventure from Nov. 14, 2025 through Jan. 7, 2026. 

The Marvel anti-hero will spread his special brand of festive cheer with The Story Time with Deadpool Holiday Special near Avengers Campus… and his bosom buddy Wolverine may join him at select performances.

Also back on the holiday menu at Pym Test Kitchen in Avengers Campus is Deadpool’s fave snack, The Chimichanga, made with seasoned beef, charred poblano, refried beans, and shredded cheese on a pool of guajillo sauce with a pico de gallo side salad.

Holiday-time Character Meet-And-Greets

In addition to Deadpool and Wolverine, there are plenty of chances to meet some of your favorite characters during Disneyland’s holiday celebration.

• Meet Chip ‘n’ Dale, Goofy, and Pluto at the Fantasyland Theatre (though we wish holiday shows would return here)

• Meet Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Donald, Daisy, Pluto, and Clarabelle on Buena Vista Street
• Meet Carl, Russell, and Dug at Grizzly Peak

• Meet Mirabel at the Paradise Gardens gazebo (on select days, other members of the Madrigal family may appear with her)

Where to Meet Santa:

• Redwood Challenge Trail (November 14-December 24)

• Grand Californian Hotel (November 27-December 24)
• Disneyland Hotel (November 27-December 24)
• Pixar Place Hotel (November 27-December 24)

Characters You’ll See In The Parks This Holiday Season:

• Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Clarabelle, Buzz Lightyear, Woody, Jessie, Anna, Elsa, Olaf, Max Goof, Belle, Beast, Snow White, Princess Aurora, Cinderella, and more may appear in A Christmas Fantasy Parade

• Mickey, Minnie, Joy, Mr & Mrs. Incredible, Frozone, Woody, Jessie, and Bo Peep may join Mickey’s Happy Holidays procession in California Adventure

• Mirabel, Isabella, Luisa, and Bruno appear in the Mirabel’s Gifts of the Season street performance in California Adventure (performed on select days)

• Miguel appears in A Musical Christmas with Mariachi Alegría de Disneyland & Miguel! (performed on select days)
• The Three Caballeros – Jose Carioca, Panchito, and Donald Duck – are featured in Disney ¡Viva Navidad! Street Party (performed on Saturdays and Sundays only)

Holiday Character Dining (November 17 through January 6):

• Daisy’s Holiday Pajama Party at the Grand Californian (breakfast and brunch)
• Mickey’s Christmas Carol Feast at the Grand Californian (dinner) 
• Goofy’s Kitchen holiday buffet at the Disneyland Hotel (breakfast, brunch, and dinner)

Constructionland

Downtown Disney

After a speedy demolition of Tortilla Jo’s, there’s still no sign of construction on the new steakhouse and barbecue restaurants taking its place.

Work on the former ESPN zone building continues as Lululemon prepares to open. 

Work also continues on the exterior of the LEGO Store, which has remained open during construction. 

It’s been a while since we checked in on the new Earl of Sandwich quick service restaurant and new Gordon Ramsay pub on the district’s west side. 

This week, we noticed the Earl has submitted his liquor license application. 

Disneyland Construction

The scrims are finally down around the Storybook Land Canal Boats, but no official reopening date has been announced despite the Disney Parks Blog posting the attraction will return “this winter.”

Disneyland Refurbishment Calendar 

The Upcoming Refurbishments queue is extra short now that it’s a small world and Redwood Creek have begun their annual holiday makeovers.

Currently Under Refurbishment

• Storybook Land Canal Boats: July 28 -TBA
• Casey Jr. Circus Train: July 28 -TBA
• it’s a small world holiday installation: October 30 – November 13
• Redwood Creek Challenge Trail holiday changeover: November 1 – 13

Upcoming Refurbishments

• Indiana Jones Adventure: December 1 – 3

Disney Donation

Walt Disney Company has committed $1 million following the impact of Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica. Disney Cruise Line has maintained a port presence in Jamaica for over ten years, and this contribution will assist Disney cast and crew in the region, as well as nonprofits  including UNICEF, World Central Kitchen, and Good360 who are providing emergency supplies, food, shelter and other essential services to communities impacted by the storm.

For more information about how Disney gives back to Disney Cruise Line port communities around the world, visit Disney Cruise Line Crew & Community on Facebook.

This & That

We have just a bit more for you from the Happiest Place on Earth…

MiceChat Disneyland Live @ 5

Dusty, Darren, and Michele say a west coast farewell to Mike, who will be taking over MiceChat’s Orlando team next month. But this isn’t a sad journey, it’s a preview of the holiday season, which is already rapidly being installed.  

So, Long Blinky!

The morning after Halloween, the Mickey pumpkin (AKA Blinky) had already departed to make way for the installation of the park’s massive Christmas tree at Town Square point.

The Pumpkin King Gets His Sandy Claws

Haunted Mansion Holiday is sticking around through the New Year, and Jack’s ready for the holiday festivities! This Halloween, Jack also debuted a much-improved facelift, which looks more like the animated character in the movie.

Much better than last year’s look with the weird mask.  

For the holiday season, the new Jack will sport his Santa suit…

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Disney Parks (@disneyparks)

Magic Key Holiday Trading Cards

Starting today, November 3, and continuing through November 27, Disneyland Magic Key holders can pick up a new collectible trading card each week (plus a holder frame), while supplies last. Cards are available Monday through Thursday only; limit one per week per Magic Key holder. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Disneyland Magic Key (@disneylandmagickey)

Sorry (Not Sorry) Resellers!

Select Disney Parks holiday popcorn buckets and sippers are now available online, which will hopefully make it less attractive for resellers to buy up all the in-park inventory and then mark it up to sell online.

Currently available on DisneyStore online are the Sulley Santa Popcorn Bucket ($32.99) and the Donald Duck Holiday Tree Light-Up Sipper ($24.99).

Walt Disney Storybook Mansion Tours

Our own Dusty Sage gives tours of Walt Disney’s historic 1930s mansion in the Hollywood Hills. It’s an extraordinary experience to visit Walt’s home and step back in time in this lavishly restored home where Walt raised his family and launched an empire. 

• A limited number of November tours at the Disney mansion are now available – HERE

HOLIDAY READING:

• Countdown to Christmas: Your 2025 Disneyland Holiday Guide!
• More Merry 2025 Holiday Merchandise Arrives at Disneyland!
• UPDATED! Your 2025 WDW Holiday Guide
• WDW Holiday Foodie Guide 2025: Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Menus Revealed!

MiceShots

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas…

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