Disneyland and Disney California Adventure During the Holidays

A celebration worth planning for

Christmas at Disneyland Resort is often described as a bucket-list experience, and for good reason. It is also one of the busiest times of year, even with Magic Key blockouts during the final weeks of December. Both things can be true at once.

For our family, the holidays here are less about checking every box and more about choosing moments intentionally. Knowing what is worth waiting for, where flexibility exists, and how to plan ahead makes all the difference. This season felt like a reminder of why we keep beckoning adventure, even in familiar places, and why preparation helps us escape the ordinary when crowds are at their peak.

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TLDR

• A family-focused look at Disneyland Resort during the holiday season, balancing magic with realistic planning
• Highlights from Disney California Adventure Festival of the Holidays, seasonal entertainment, and character experiences
• Sensory-friendly spaces, DAS-friendly tips, and slower-paced experiences that worked well for our family
• Practical planning advice for crowds, packing, and choosing what is truly worth the wait

Festival of the Holidays at Disney California Adventure

The Festival of the Holidays at DCA is a celebration of diverse traditions, from Hanukkah to Diwali, Kwanzaa, and Christmas. For families who love holiday food, this festival is an easy must-do.

One of the biggest planning wins here is ordering strategy. Each booth has one line for ordering and one for pickup, so ordering all your food at one booth at the same time means you only wait once. Just don’t lose your receipt. Cast Members mark off each item as you pick it up, and without it, it is easy to lose track of what you have already paid for. Planning ahead with the festival booklet lets you decide what to try before stepping into line, which cuts down significantly on time spent waiting.

Entertainment throughout the festival is lively and immersive, with live music, street performances, and seasonal character appearances. Viva Navidad is a standout, bringing holiday cheer through music, dance, and festive characters. If you want a prime viewing spot, expect to wait, but even catching it mid-route still feels joyful and high energy.

Redwood Creek Challenge Trail

Redwood Creek Challenge Trail in DCA is one of those spaces that becomes even more valuable during the holidays. The area transforms into a festive, woodsy playground featuring elf-themed scavenger hunts, hidden puzzles, holiday games, interactive activities, rubber duck races, a reindeer-themed zipline, the Jingle Bell Bridge, and seasonal meet-and-greets.

What makes this area so special is the space itself. Kids can climb, run, explore, and reset while still feeling immersed in the seasonal magic. It is an ideal spot for families who need a sensory break without stepping away from the holiday atmosphere entirely.

Santa appears here during the season, and for guests who qualify for the Disability Access Service (DAS), it is possible to schedule a return time to meet him instead of standing in the full line. That accommodation alone makes this a huge win for children who struggle with waiting.

We also repeatedly ran into Chip and Dale during our visits, which added spontaneous joy and unpredictability in the best way. Redwood Creek is perfect for families looking for movement, festive activities, and a calmer pace away from the densest crowds.

Meeting Santa Across the Resort

Santa’s locations change from year to year, but during this season he appeared in several places across the resort, including Redwood Creek Trail in DCA, Fantasyland Theatre in Disneyland, and select Disneyland Resort hotels such as the Disneyland Hotel, Grand Californian, and Pixar Pier Hotel.

Fantasyland Theatre, in particular, deserves more than a passing mention.

During the holidays, the theatre becomes Holiday Fun with Santa & Friends, and it feels like a deliberate pause in the middle of a very busy park. The space transforms into a cozy, daytime winter setting that works beautifully as both a festive experience and a sensory reset.

Inside, families can enjoy holiday crafts, letter writing to Santa, story time sessions, carol sing-alongs, Disney holiday short clips, and rotating character appearances. Chip and Dale appear in their holiday outfits, and roaming characters like Jiminy Cricket and Geppetto often make appearances as well.

There are plenty of places to sit, linger, and slow down, which makes this space especially appealing for families who need a reset without leaving the park entirely. A small logistical tip that makes this experience even easier: you can take the Disneyland Railroad and exit at the Toontown Station, which places you directly across from the theatre.

This offering typically runs from mid-November through early January, though specific activities and characters vary by day. Checking the Disneyland app is always the best way to confirm current times and details.

Holiday Time Tour

The Holiday Time Tour was one of the highlights of our visit this year and felt like a thoughtfully curated way to experience Disneyland’s holiday traditions. From check-in on Main Street, the tour guided us through seasonal stories, entertainment, and park history in a way that felt immersive without ever being overwhelming.

Highlights included holiday treats along the way, a collectible souvenir exclusive to the tour, reserved seating for the Christmas Fantasy Parade, and Lightning Lane access for Haunted Mansion Holiday. Each of these elements removed friction from experiences that are typically stressful during peak season.

There was even a surprise Life Day moment for Star Wars fans, which added a subtle and delightful twist. This tour is especially worthwhile for families who want more than a standard park visit and appreciate slowing down to absorb the magic instead of rushing between attractions. Availability, pricing, and inclusions vary year to year, so checking the official Disneyland website before booking is essential.

Mickey’s Christmas Carol Feast at Storytellers Café

This seasonal character dinner buffet at the Grand Californian is a splurge, but a memorable one. The buffet includes carving stations, seafood, holiday classics, and an impressive dessert selection.

What truly sets this experience apart are the rare character appearances. Guests meet Scrooge McDuck, Mickey and Minnie dressed as the Cratchits, Goofy as Jacob Marley, and Clarabelle Cow, all in costume and fully themed.

One of my favorite keepsake hacks for this experience is bringing a Mickey’s Christmas Carol storybook, which can be found online for around ten dollars, and having the characters sign it during the meal. The combination of the storybook, character interactions, and festive atmosphere creates a meaningful souvenir without adding much cost.

Reservations are essential, and pricing varies by day and time, generally around $79 per adult and $42 per child.

Holiday Entertainment and Seasonal Details Worth Slowing Down For

Both Disneyland and DCA offer an incredible lineup of holiday entertainment, including the Christmas Fantasy Parade, Viva Navidad Street Party, World of Color – Season of Light, nighttime fireworks, the Main Street U.S.A. Christmas tree lighting, and holiday overlays for It’s a Small World and Haunted Mansion Holiday.

One detail we make a point to slow down for every year is inside Haunted Mansion Holiday. In the ballroom scene, there is a real, hand-crafted gingerbread house designed annually by Disney’s culinary team. Each year’s creation is completely unique, and spotting it has become a quiet tradition even on repeat visits.

If you want prime viewing for parades, fireworks, or World of Color, waiting is unavoidable. Castle views are ideal for fireworks, but the back of Main Street near the tree offers the best view of snoap during the finale. Dining packages and the Holiday Time Tour offer reserved viewing at an additional cost. For families on a budget, warm clothing, blankets, and snacks go a long way, or you can enjoy these moments through my YouTube videos if mobility or time is limited.

What to Pack and Planning Tips

Dress warmly with layers, gloves, hats, and scarves, especially for nighttime shows. Bring a blanket and small entertainment for parade or fireworks waits. Lockers are helpful for storing extra clothing or supplies, and bring refillable water bottles, refill stations are available throughout both parks.

Comfortable walking shoes are essential. Optional extras like Dollar Tree glow wands, Santa hats, or light-up necklaces can enhance the experience for kids without adding significant cost.

Preparation allows you to focus on creating memories instead of managing logistics, which is what truly allows families to escape the ordinary during a holiday visit.

Watch the Holiday Magic

For a closer look at our experiences, you can find the following videos linked below:

• Christmas Fantasy Parade
• Viva Navidad Street Party
• Disneyland Christmas Fireworks

If you need inspiration for a New Year’s Eve celebration, take a look at how we celebrated at Knott’s Berry Farm!

Prices, entertainment offerings, and locations are subject to change year to year.