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Thank you so much to Disney for inviting us to Disneyland Resort’s Holiday Media Event!
(photo credit Disney)
Can Disneyland get any more magical? It can and does during the holidays!
We always say it doesn’t feel like the holidays until we have visited Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure! Each year we go back to see our favorite things and to experience all the new fun that is added. This year is no different! The parks are jam packed with holiday fun and I’m so excited to share them all with you! From November 13, 2014 through January 6, 2015, the entire Disneyland Resort transforms into a magnificent winter wonderland.
Here are 11 Things You Must Do At Disneyland Resorts During The 2014 Holiday Season
(photo credit Disney)
1. Visit the Haunted Mansion.
Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure are completely transformed {including some rides too} for the holidays including the madcap celebration of Haunted Mansion. It’s the perfect mix of holiday cheer and creepy Nightmare Before Christmas.
Perfect for the whole family… but especially teens.
(photo credit Disney)
2. See “A Christmas Fantasy” parade featuring Anna and Elsa from FROZEN… and Santa too!
Anna and Elsa are a new addition to the magical parade and a must see for all FROZEN fans. It starts by It’s A Small World and that is our favorite place to watch it. The parade is held while it is still daylight so nobody will miss it if they fall asleep early.
Perfect for the whole family… especially younger FROZEN Fans!
(photo credit Disney)
3. Enjoy the festive “Disney ¡Viva Navidad!” at Disney California Adventure park.
Celebrate the festivities with authentic musicians, dancers and storytellers as you indulge in traditional Latino foods and enjoy the Disney ¡Viva Navidad! Street Party You can catch the joyous spirit of the holidays during a high-energy street party. Leading the jubilation are the Three Caballeros: Donald Duck and his amigos Panchito from Mexico and Jose from Brazil. Joining the trio of feathered friends are authentic mariachi and samba musicians, folklorico dancers, more Disney Characters and amazing 12-foot-tall mojiganga puppets of Santa and Mrs. Claus! Paradise Garden in Disney California Adventure Park will be brightly dressed up for the holidays—featuring cheerful, traditional papel picado flags and colorful piñatas. And be sure to stop by Paradise Garden Grill to sample authentic Mexican specialties being served up all during the holiday season.
Perfect for the whole family.
(photo credit Disney)
4. It’s A Small World is one of those rides you have to go on each time you visit the parks…
But especially when it’s all lit up like this! If you go on it during the day you still have to come back and see it once the sun goes down! It’s a sight to see with all those lights on it!
Perfect for the whole family, but especially Preteens and Preschoolers!
5. The festive food!
I wrote a whole article just on all the fun food that you can eat during the holidays at Disneyland Resorts because there is so much of it! Be sure to stop and enjoy a treat or two!
Perfect for the whole family, especially the FROZEN treats for the little ones.
6. Once the sun drops the space above the castle becomes the perfect backdrop for the most festive fireworks ever!
Settle in with some hot chocolate or ice cream and enjoy “Believe … in Holiday Magic”, the fireworks spectacular plus there is a nightly snowfall on Main Street, U.S.A.
Perfect for the whole family and all of the kids LOVE the snowfall at the end of the fireworks!
7. Take a picture in front of the castle.
The decorations are so beautiful and a picture in front of the castle has to be on your list of things to do. It would make the perfect Christmas card photo too!
Perfect for the whole family. Everyone loves seeing how amazing the decorations are.
(photo credit Disney)
8. Take a ride on the Jingle Cruise.
The Jungle ride has been transformed into the Jingle Cruise for the holidays and all of the animals couldn’t be happier! The festivities seem to have made the natives even wilder so hold onto your hats and enjoy the ride!
Perfect for the whole family… this was the Tween’s favorite!
9. Meet Anna and Elsa.
Meeting these two will bring more joy to visit. There is no need to stand in a line to see them anymore because there is now a Virtual Standby Line. Be sure to stop by early to secure your spot in the virtual standby line! Return time tickets are distributed at this location as soon as the park opens—have your valid theme park ticket or Annual Passport on hand to participate in the experience!
Perfect for everyone. I think the younger ones love it the most… but as you can see all of the kids had fun even if they on’t admit it out loud!
(photo credit Disney)
10. “World of Color – Winter Dreams” holiday spectacular is a must see!
I can’t even say enough awesome things about this. There is even a spot when everyone sings along to a FROZEN song. For the best viewing areas you will need to get a fast pass for it first thing in the morning… although we have watched it from the side and still enjoyed it, but the best way to see it is from the official viewing areas.
Perfect for everyone. We all loved it!
(photo credit Disney)
11. All the decorations.
I could write books on all the ways the parks are decorated for the holidays! Every inch of the park has added holiday magic. Cars Land needs to be on the top of your list for decorations. The contrast between the regular feel and the holiday decorated feel is amazing! There are also tons of photo opps for you to take pictures at and seeing the cars all decked out with Santa Hats will bring a smile to everyone!
Perfect for everyone! Seriously, I love watching other visitors see it for the first time because it is so awesome!
I have been to Disney World for Christmas time and yes, it is absolutely magical. Something everyone should experience at least once!
I have never been to Disneyland. My Hubs used to try and get me to go, but at the time… I just didn’t seem to find the time. Now I wish I would have gone.
Visiting the haunted mansion is a must!! The overlay with The Nightmare Before Christmas, must be amazing!
You’re so lucky that you live in the vicinity and get there for all these special things. Christmas at Disney would be a total dream!
How fun. I bet it is priceless during the holidays.
Everytime I see anything about Disney it just makes me want to return and feel the magic once again. x
This is a great roundup for DisneyLand. I’ve never visited, but I seriously want to – especially during the holidays.
This makes me want to go even more! I’ve never been and won’t make it in 2014 hoping for 2015!
It’s such a beautiful place in the winter! We just did the Orlando parks and were amazed at the decorations.
So much to do! I would love to go to Disneyland!
so much to do there! I would love to visit Disneyland
Disney is amazing I been once (I forgot which park) and I would love to go again! You took fab pictures!
Disney really does have awesome food. I’m glad you put Small World on the list, I love to ride that ride. 🙂
I haven’t been to Disney since I was a kid. I hope to get there with my kids at some point though!
We have done Disney World at Christmas and it was one of the best experiences my family has ever had. Such a magical place during the holidays!
We haven’t visited Disney in a long time and the holidays are such a magical time to be there.
I love Disney during the holidays! We’ve gone during 3 Christmases and it’s amazing.
It looks like you had a great time. We love to go to Disney for Christmas, it is fun for the entire family.
Disney is so beautiful at Christmas time. I need to check it out
Wow, so much fun to be had at Disneyland during the holidays! My family and I visited Disneyworld the week after Christmas back when I was 14. I wish I could remember all of the fun stuff that was on just for the holidays, but it’s been so long. Guess we will have to go back!!
I love Disney World, I’ve been several times but sadly never around Christmas or Halloween; but I’d love too!
This is such a great post. I have not been to Disney since i was a little girl. My kids are teenagers and i think they would love to go.
Wow. I’ve never been to Disney during the holidays, but I want to. I love all of the great things they’re doing. Halloween seems exceptionally cool.
Looks like you guys had a great time. I love Disneyland and world. We go to Floriday because it’s closer but I’d love to get back to Cali!
Our kids are adults now and do not have kids of their own so for now, we don’t visit Disney like we use to. We would always go during the holidays when they were young and it was so much fun and so festive. I look forward to going again some day when we have little ones to share it with.
Your family looked like they had a great time.
It looks like their is so much to do. Kiddo went to Disneyland with her grammie (my MIL) , great aunt and her older siblings (not husbands kids) this summer. I think I am rare. I just have no real desire to go to Disney. I love Disney and grew up watching the movies; even have all my old clamshell VHS tapes. I do want to take the Disney cruise though!
I think it is against the law to Not get your pic in front of the castle. A must.
what a magical time. Every kid should get the chance to go to Disney
I’d love to go when the Christmas decor is up, but it’s not yet crazy crowded.
I haven’t been to Disney since I was in 5th grade! Everything looks like so much fun & I just know my kids would be ecstatic if we’d be able to go. Especially around the holidays!
It would be so magical to take the kids to Disneyland for the holidays! So much for everyone!
My sister in law is at Disneyland right now, I’m so jealous. We hope to get out to California to make it Disneyland sometime soon and it would be great to make a trip there during the holidays!
I love Disney so much, I missed not going this year!
Wow! Disney is so magical all year that I can only imagine it all decorated for Christmas. I’m certain its lovely!
WOW! You covered teens, tweens and preschoolers! Very cool for sure! Disney has something for everyone that is for sure. It is a great place for everyone and I loved your must do list!
Disney is just so incredibly magical! Everything they have is for the kid at heart!
I would love to visit the haunted mansion with my boys. They love spooky things and so do I.
We just got done visiting Disney World. We loved it! Sadly, we didn’t get to meet Ana and Elsa!
I have never been to Disney land during the holidays, but would love to go.
Oh wow! I’ve never been to Disney but would love to go during the holiday season! Looks so magical!!!
My daughter is all about all things Frozen. We totally need to drive on down to Disney.
We are a Disney family! I already am planning our next trip. My girls love going to Disneyland. We always find something new and exciting every time we visit and going during the holidays is magical.
It looks like you all have had a wonderful time. I have never been but my son has gone and he loves it there.
Yes to everything you posted. I’d love to get to Disney for Christmas. I might never want to go home.
As often as I’ve been to Disneyland, I don’t think I’ve ever been for Christmas. Maybe I’ll check it out next Christmas, it sounds wonderful!
We live very close to Disney World actually and there are so many things to do for young and old. I love that place 🙂
Years ago my hubby went to Disney for Christmas with his family – he loved it!
I have never been to Disney but have always wanted to go. These tips will be helpful if we ever go.
Great tips but it’s a pity I won’t be there until 2015. Maybe I can use these for the holidays next year.
Oh man! I want to go so bad. I think we are going around Halloween next year!