’Twas the week before Christmas, and all through the park,
The lights twinkled brightly from dawn until dark.
The trees stood majestic, the cocoa was hot,
And the Magic Key holders were completely locked out.
The turnstiles kept jumping, the crowds packed in tight,
With visitors shopping from morning to night.
At Downtown Disney, something sleek caught the eye,
A new lululemon with athleisure inside.
Beyond the garlands and holiday cheer,
Construction and refurbishments pressed on through the year.
Avengers Campus buzzed with walls, steel, and sound,
While projects elsewhere quietly shifted around.
And for Key holders locked out till the calendar flips,
This week wasn’t about rides or Lightning Lane trips.
It was finding new places when the gates all say “no,”
From the Grinch causing mischief to Knott’s charming ice show.
So settle in close as the story takes shape,
Of a park full of cheer… and changes taking place…
Remembering Eddie Sotto
Last week the world sadly lost a very talented former Disney Imagineer, Eddie Sotto. While Eddie may be best known for his work on Main Street U.S.A. at Disneyland Paris, he also worked on Disneyland projects, a classic Knott’s Berry Farm attraction, and amazing themed entertainment experiences around the world.
We invite you to read our tribute to Eddie and join in the remembrances here:
RELATED READING:
Hidden Tributes – The Story Behind Disneyland’s Main Street Windows: Part One, Part Two, Part Three, Part Four
Blocked Out!
It’s the most horrible time of the year for Disneyland Magic Key holders, who are now blocked out through the end of the year. And while Disney may not want your business right now (or expect you to buy a regular admission ticket if you just can’t stay away), ALL of the local theme parks are offering amazing holiday activities this year. So, if you’re wondering where to go while your Disneyland Magic Key is blocked out for the holidays, we’ve got your options listed below…
Universal Studios Hollywood Holidays (through Jan. 4th)
If you think it’s Grinchy of Disneyland to block Magic Key pass holders during the holidays, why not head to Hollywood and gripe with the mean one himself?
Universal Studios Hollywood is celebrating the holidays with Christmas in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Grinchmas, as well as holiday decorations in Super Nintendo World.
Read all about Universal’s holiday celebration here:
Universal Hollywood Holidays 2025: Potter Spells, Grinchy Laughs & Mario Merriment
Knott’s Berry Merry Farm (through Jan. 4th).
You can celebrate the season just a stone’s throw from the Happiest Place on Earth at Knott’s, aptly rebranded as Knott’s Merry Farm. With an amazing ice show, beautiful snowfall, craft village, and great holiday food, it’s hard to beat the heartwarming Knott’s Christmas celebration.
Check out our guide to Knott’s Merry Farm here:
A Berry Merry Christmas: Your Ultimate Guide to Knott’s Merry Farm 2025
But wait, there’s more!
SeaWorld San Diego (through Jan. 4th)
The Christmas celebration at SeaWorld San Diego features over one million twinkling lights, festive food, meet-and-greets with Santa and his real reindeer, a nightly snowfall, and seasonal entertainment, including the all-new Clyde & Seamore’s Christmas Special at Sea Lion Stadium.
Legoland California (through Jan. 4th)
The seasonal celebration at Legoland California includes Santa’s Christmas Magic Fireworks on Dec. 22-31, 2025.
Holiday happenings include:
- Rock around the giant Lego tree to holiday tunes,
- Sing and dance at seasonal shows
- Take “elfies” with favorite Lego holiday characters and at Lego photo ops, including a Lego wreath, the brand new Lego Santa with his sleigh and reindeer, and of course, the park’s 35-foot Lego Christmas tree (built from 366,481 Lego and Duplo bricks).
Six Flags Magic Mountain (select dates through Jan. 4th)
Holiday in the Park at Magic Mountain includes select rides & attractions, festive live shows, meet-and-greets with Santa & Mrs. Claus, and specialty holiday food & drink (select holiday experiences require separate purchase).
Warner Bros. Studio Tour (to Jan. 4th; closed Christmas Day)
We know it’s not a theme park, but if you’re a fan of “Gilmore Girls,” you won’t want to miss the Holidays Made Here event at Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood, which invites fans to join a one-of-a-kind immersive celebration the show’s 25th anniversary.
Holidays Made Here includes the rare opportunity to step into Stars Hollow, including Lorelai’s house, Luke’s Diner, and the Dragonfly Inn, all of which have been fully recreated with authentic details and dressed for the holidays.
Plus, to celebrate the 25th anniversary of “Gilmore Girls,” cast members will make surprise appearances during the event (there’s no set schedule for these appearances).
The limited-time event is included as part of the Studio Tour daily with extended hours to 8 p.m. During the holidays, the studio tour includes behind-the-scenes stories from “Gremlins,” “Elf,” “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,” and other favorite Christmas movies that filmed on the historic studio backlot.
New Explore Key
Disneyland is introducing a new Magic Key on January 13th. The new $999 Explore Key will replace the $974 Enchant Key, which will no longer be available for purchase or renewal after January 13th. While the two passes are nearly identical in how they work, the new Explore key dramatically expands summer availability.
Previously, Enchant Key holders could only visit the parks on 4 days in June (and none in July), but the new Explore Key includes a lot more June and July days… 43 to be exact (including 7 Sundays). The August availability is the same for both Keys (25 days, including 4 Sundays each).
If you’re considering purchasing a Magic Key Pass but aren’t sure which one is best for you, be sure to read our Magic Key Guide here:
Disneyland Magic Keys Program Changes – Everything You Need To Know
Meet Santa
You have only three more days to meet Santa inside the theme parks and at all three Disneyland Resort hotels before he skedaddles back to the North Pole.
Where to Meet Santa through Dec. 24th:
- Disneyland Park (Fantasyland Theater)
- California Adventure Park (Redwood Creek Challenge Trail)
- Grand Californian Hotel (Great Hall)
- Disneyland Hotel (Main Lobby)
- Pixar Place Hotel (Main Lobby)
Holiday Fun with Santa & Friends
Favorite characters like Chip ‘n’ Dale, Goofy, and Pluto are hanging out with Santa in the Fantasyland Theatre for holiday sing-alongs, arts & crafts, story time, winter-themed photo ops, performances by The Dickens Yuletide Band, and showings of animated holiday shorts (including a brand new one from Disney Jr.).
You can also spot Santa in A Christmas Fantasy Parade in Disneyland, with performances at 3 p.m. and 5:15 p.m. daily through January 7, 2026.
Plus, Santa makes an appearance checking his list (twice, of course) in it’s a Small World Holiday through Jan. 25th…
…and we certainly can’t forget about Jack, who will be lingering in the Haunted Mansion until Jan. 11th.
Following Christmas, you may find Goofy dressed as Santa in some locations.
Single All The Way
As we inch closer and closer to Christmas and New Year’s (and the crowds that are sure to accompany them), we want to remind you about the potential time-saver that is Single Rider.
Single Riders fill remaining seats in ride vehicles, so as long as your group is willing to ride solo (including kids over the age of 7), Single Rider queues can reduce wait times at popular park attractions.
Single Rider Attractions
Currently, there are 11 attractions that offer Single Rider (5 in Disneyland and 6 in California Adventure):
- Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
- Matterhorn Bobsleds
- Space Mountain
- Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
- Indiana Jones Adventure
- Goofy’s Sky School
- Incredicoaster
- Radiator Springs Racers
- Grizzly River Run
- WEB SLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure
- Soarin’ Around the World
Single Rider queues aren’t always open, but it’s always worth checking. And if you forget which attractions offer Single Rider, you can search for it in the Disneyland app.
Know Before You Go:
- Immediate boarding or choice of seat is not guaranteed.
- Single Riders must meet all boarding requirements.
- Special seating requests may not be accommodated.
- Participating attractions and wait times may vary.
- This service is subject to availability.
Lulu Debut
The new lululemon store opened last week in Downtown Disney (in the old ESPN Zone building), but unfortunately, it feels more like a generic mall store than what we expected to see at Disneyland.
The store has zero personality. It’s 100% basic mall fare. And it feels strange they’re not at least featuring a Disney collection front and center… Plus, when we asked about Magic Key holder discounts, we were told they don’t apply, which is also disappointing.
Also worth noting are the store’s hours listed on the lululemon website, which says they’re currently only open on weekends:
Also now open in Downtown Disney is Sunglass Hut, which had been closed for a major refurbishment and redecorating.
The refreshed store carries a selection of AI glasses and Disney Ray-Bans for kids.
Unlike lululemon, this store at least tries to integrate a bit with the Disney vibe. It also has a higher-end feel to it.
Constructionland
The Sleeping Beauty-themed Lego sculpture on the exterior of the Downtown Disney Lego Store is getting a major glow-up.
It looks like the Maleficent dragon will remain, but new “Sleeping Beauty” arches and signage have been added.
Disneyland Refurbishment Calendar
Several attraction refurbishments are set to begin on January 5th, two days before the resort’s holiday celebration ends; however, Haunted Mansion Holiday and it’s a small world holiday will still be available well into January.
Upcoming Refurbishments
- Grizzly River Run: January 5 – TBA
- Incredicoaster: January 5 – TBA
- Inside Out Emotional Whirlwind: January 5 – 22
- Mark Twain Riverboat: January 12 – 15
- Lamplight Lounge: January 12 – 15
- Haunted Mansion (holiday overlay removal): January 12 – 22
- Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance: January 20 – TBA (No end date on the resort’s most popular attraction… that’s going to throw a wrench into a lot of early year travel plans)
- it’s a small world (holiday overlay removal): January 26 – TBA
- Sailing Ship Columbia: January 26 – 29
This & That
Wait… there’s more… There’s always more…
MiceChat Live @ 5 from Disneyland
Dusty takes us on a holiday journey from the upstairs balcony of the Star Wars Launch Bay to Disney California Adventure. He is joined by Julie Tremaine, who shares fun stories and a review of the new Warner Bros. holiday studio tour.
Disneyland After Dark Ticket Tracker
The after-hours Disneyland After Dark: Sweethearts’ Nite will take place in Disneyland Park on January 22, 25 & 27, and February 3, 5, 8, 10, 12 & 17.
When we checked Sunday morning, six dates had already sold out, but tickets are still available for Jan. 22 ($169 per person ages 3+), Jan. 27 ($159 per person ages 3+), and Feb. 10 ($185 per person ages 3+).
And while the Sweethart nights are selling well, we were surprised to see both party dates for the brand new 70th-anniversary-themed Disneyland After Dark: 70 Years of Favorites (March 3 & 5) are still available at $159 per person ages 3+.
Tickets for Disneyland After Dark: Disney Channel Nite (April 12, 14, 16), Disneyland After Dark: Star Wars Nite (April 28 & 30 and May 4 & 6), Disneyland After Dark: Pride Nite (June 16 & 18), and Oogie Boogie Bash (33 select dates in August, September, and October) are not yet available for purchase.
Disney Deals
If you’re a last-minute shopper, your procrastination is being rewarded with a surprising number of pre-holiday deals available across the resort. Some of them are 50% off… AND, you can use your Magic Key discount if you are a passholder. Note that many of these items are available in the World of Disney in Downtown Disney, so you won’t need park admission to take advantage of these deals.
Here are some we found last week:
Read our guide for all the pre-holiday discounts:
Star Sighting
Sarah Michelle Geller and her hubby Freddie Prinze Jr. celebrated the season in the parks last week.
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Did You Know?
Each week, Dusty recaps all the news from the Monday Disneyland Update in a “Disneyland Minute” video. Be sure to subscribe MiceChat’s YouTube channel and TikTok so you don’t miss it!
🎄Step Inside Walt’s Storybook Mansion This Holiday Season🎄
Looking for a meaningful gift for the Disney fan in your life? Special Holiday History Tours are available on two dates at Walt Disney’s 1930s Hollywood Hills home — fully decorated for the season, including a towering 12-foot tree that sets the backdrop for a charming story from the Disney family’s own Christmas traditions.
Join house historian Dusty Sage for an intimate guided walk through the beautifully restored residence, filled with history, quiet details, and a warm dose of holiday atmosphere.
🎅 New: One-Time Santa Tour — December 26 at 3:30 PM
A special surprise tour has been added for one date and time only.
On this tour only, guests will:
• Explore the downstairs of the Disney Mansion
• Hear a heartwarming story about a memorable Christmas morning the Disney girls shared in the home
• Watch a vintage Christmas Silly Symphony in Walt’s private screening room
• Meet Santa inside the mansion (photos welcome)
🗓️ Walt Disney Storybook Mansion Holiday Tours
Charming Holiday History Tours are also available in December — each offering an inside look at Walt’s home, its seasonal decorations, and its remarkable history.
🔴 Reserve a Spot for Walt Disney Storybook Mansion Tours HERE 🔴
MiceShots
It had been a while since we visited Carthay Circle…
So we peeked inside the beautifully decorated restaurant.
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Let’s Hear From You!
With Magic Keys blocked, construction walls rising, and the holidays in full swing, this week at Disneyland looks a little different depending on how you’re visiting… or if you’re visiting at all.
Were you inside the park this week, braving the crowds and soaking in the seasonal atmosphere? Or were you locked out and finding your holiday fun elsewhere… Downtown Disney, the Grinch, Knott’s ice show, or somewhere entirely different? What stood out most to you right now… the festive cheer, the construction progress, the shopping changes, or the growing anticipation for what comes next?
As always, we’d love to hear what you’re seeing, feeling, and noticing. Share your thoughts, photos, and experiences in the comments below.
