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Disney Announces Holiday Dates at Disneyland Resort!

Disneyland Holidays
Credit: Disney

Yes, it’s hot outside right now and summer is still in full swing but, before you know it, a chill will be in the air, and it will nearly be time to celebrate the holidays! You’ll be thinking about where you are going to purchase your decorations, what festive foods you’ll be eating, and what gifts you are going to purchase for your friends and family. The holidays are truly a magical time, and there is no better place to celebrate the merriest time of year than at The Happiest Place on Earth! Disney goes next level during the holidays, and this year will be no exception.

Disneyland Christmas

Credit: Disney

Disney has just announced that the Holidays will be returning to Disneyland Resort on November 11 and run through January 8. You’ll have eight weeks to enjoy the holidays at Disneyland Resort has to offer! Disney Parks Blog shared what will return this season at Disneyland Park, Disney California Adventure, and Downtown Disney. Let’s take a look!

Disneyland Park

In Town Square, you may encounter favorite Disney characters in their finest holiday attire, and some will be debuting all-new outfits!

Anna, Elsa and Olaf from Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Frozen,” along with Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Santa and many other friends will celebrate the season in “A Christmas Fantasy” Parade, a daily musical procession of floats, marching toy soldiers, dancing gingerbread cookies and more.

In the evenings, the festivities will continue with the “Believe… in Holiday Magic” fireworks spectacular, which features magical “snowfall” and colorful projections on Main Street, U.S.A., and the façade of “it’s a small world.” Families will also be able to dance along with characters such as Goofy, Pluto, Chip ‘n’ Dale and others during nightly holiday dance parties at the Tomorrowland Terrace. 

Christmas Fantasy parade

Credit: Disney

Two beloved Disneyland attractions will return with fan-favorite seasonal transformations. “it’s a small world” Holiday takes guests around the world as dolls and toys representing children enjoying the distinctive holiday traditions of their respective countries. And In New Orleans Square, Jack Skellington and his friends cause a collision between Christmas and Halloween to transform the Haunted Mansion into Haunted Mansion Holiday.** 

It is important to note that Haunted Mansion Holiday will be open during both Halloween and the holidays. Guests can ride Haunted Mansion Holiday beginning September 2. There is no closing date at this time, but the transformation back to the traditional Haunted Mansion ride typically begins the day after the holiday season at the Parks end. The ride will be closed for several weeks as Disney Cast Members change the ride back.

Credit: Disney

Disney California Adventure

The nighttime spectacular “World of Color – Season of Light” will bring holiday magic by fusing cherished holiday music with memorable moments from treasured Disney animated films.  

Through energetic live entertainment, culinary delights and special traditions, Disney Festival of Holidays will highlight a diverse season of celebrations, including Christmas/Navidad, Diwali, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and Three Kings Day. Festival marketplaces across the park will serve a hand-crafted menu of delectable foods and beverages.

The jolly lineup of holiday entertainment continues with “Mickey’s Happy Holidays,” a procession of Disney and Pixar characters dancing and marching along to the upbeat rhythms of the Holiday Toy Drummers. The “Disney ¡Viva Navidad!” street party also returns, featuring Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse donning festive fiesta attire and accompanied by Mexican folklórico dancers and Mariachis, Brazilian samba dancers and percussionists and giant mojiganga puppets.

Disneyland California Adventure holidays

Credit: Disney

There will also be two attractions that will receive holiday overlays, and they can both be found in Cars Land. Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree will become Mater’s Jingle Jamboree, and Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters will become Luigi’s Joy to the Whirl. These rides will remain that way throughout the entire holiday season.

Guests who want to meet Santa Claus while in Disney California Adventure Park can head over to the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail. That Santa meet and greet is very popular, so be expected to wait in line. Guests will also be able to meet Mirabel from the hit film Encanto at Paradise Gardens Park.

Downtown Disney District

In the Downtown Disney District, you’ll get to discover dazzling décor and photo opportunities, festive musical entertainment and special offerings from shops and restaurants. With a breadth of boutiques to explore, Downtown Disney District will be an ideal destination for guests to find holiday gifts for the whole family!

And all three Hotels of the Disneyland Resort will display beautifully themed Christmas trees, feature performances from convivial carolers and visits from Santa Claus. The Disneyland Resort culinary team will also continue its annual gingerbread house display at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa!

Grand Californian Holiday

Credit: Disney

In addition to the ride overlays and the decorations found throughout Disneyland Park, Disney California Adventure Park, and the Downtown Disney District, there will be a ton of great food and merchandise, all with a holiday twist! Disney Dining will keep you updated when Disney releases its holiday foodie guide and gives us a more in-depth look at holiday merchandise.

About Krysten Swensen

A born and bred New England girl living the Disney life in Southern California. I love to read, to watch The Golden Girls, and love everything to do with Disney and Universal. I also love to share daily doses of Disney on my Disney Instagram @BrazzleDazzleDisney!