Hi Melissa! Welcome to planDisney. The
holiday season is one of my favorite times to visit the Disneyland Resort. From the festive garland on Main Street, U.S.A. to the towering Christmas tree in Town Square, the magic of the season truly shines. Having experienced the
Holiday Time at the Disneyland Resort Guided Tour myself, I’m happy to share what you’ll need to know before stepping into this festive adventure.
At this time, the full details for the upcoming tour haven’t yet been released. However, I connected with a helpful Cast Member, Myrna, who confirmed that you will not need a Park Hopper ticket to participate in the experience. Even if the tour takes you through both parks, your standard
Disneyland Resort theme park ticket and reservation will be sufficient. That way, you can focus on enjoying the seasonal touches without juggling different ticket types.
While you’re visiting, you’ll discover that the entire resort transforms into a winter wonderland. Sleeping Beauty Castle becomes the dazzling Winter Castle, adorned with icy-blue lights and sparkling snow. Over at “it’s a small world” Holiday, the exterior glows with thousands of colorful lights, while inside, each scene celebrates traditions from around the world to the tune of a festive twist on the classic melody. This year, Mickey and Minnie will also debut new holiday outfits inspired by Disneyland’s 70th Anniversary. It will be a fun addition for family photo opportunities.
Across the Esplanade, Disney California Adventure is equally merry. Festival of the Holidays fills the air with music, dancing, and flavors from around the globe at the Festive Foods Marketplace. Buena Vista Street shines with vintage-style décor, and Cars Land revs up its “Haul-idays” with snow-covered cars and clever tire wreaths. One of my favorite touches is the nightly neon lighting ceremony in Radiator Springs. As the familiar tune of “Sh-Boom” begins, the glowing lights take on a holiday flair. It’s an unforgettable moment that feels straight out of a Christmas movie.
And of course, no holiday visit would be complete without A Christmas Fantasy Parade and the “Believe… in Holiday Magic” fireworks. Here’s a Q-Tip: spend at least one evening along Main Street. This spot offers my favorite view of the parade, the nightly snowfall, and the fireworks finale all in one place.
Melissa, if more questions come up while planning your visit, we at planDisney are always here to help add a little extra holiday sparkle. Wishing you cozy cocoa moments, twinkling lights, and an unforgettable season at the Disneyland Resort!
Here’s wishing you cozy cocoa moments, twinkling lights, and an unforgettable holiday at Disneyland Resort!
David