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It’s almost the most wonderful time of the year — CHRISTMAS TIME! Disney began announcing its holiday plans at the Disneyland Resort during its Halfway to the Holidays campaign, and I'm absolutely here for it! My husband, Angel, and I first visited Disneyland during the holidays in 2021. It was one of my most memorable trips to Disneyland because we literally went there for the weekend only. Since we were only there for a day, we purchased Genie+ to get on all the rides we didn’t get to ride when we visited Disneyland during Halloween, plus we followed our trusty list of holiday foods we wanted to try so we weren’t tempted to eat at the same quick service or sitdown restaurants we normally frequent when we’re at Disneyland.

I know summer just started two weeks ago, but the way I see it, there are less than 177 more days until Christmas today! Disney didn't release dates for when the holidays will return, but I'll update this post as soon as I know more information. Until then, follow me on Instagram @disneywithdaorozcos and bookmark my travel guide When to Visit Disneyland in 2022 for the most up-to-date Disneyland information (seriously, I update that travel guide multiple times a week!), and keep reading for a breakdown of what you need to eat, see, and do at the Disneyland Resort: Holiday edition!

DISCOUNT DISNEYLAND HOLIday TICKETS

Photo by Taylor Gregory via Unsplash

Save on your Disneyland Holiday vacation by booking discount Disneyland tickets or a Disneyland vacation package (tickets + hotel) with my favorite Disney-approved re-seller, Get Away Today. Take advantage of their special offers, like their Extra Day Free ticket and Extra Night Free on select Anaheim hotel deals and more! Sign up with your email for a special deal on already discounted Disneyland tickets, plus alerts on the latest Disneyland news and how it might affect your vacation plans.

Here are some tips from me and Get Away Today to help you have the best experience for your Disneyland holiday vacation:

• Book your Disneyland holiday tickets early. The holidays at Disneyland are one of the busiest times of the year, so book your tickets and make theme park reservations early because one or the other is guaranteed to sell out. Pro tip: I recommend checking the Theme Park Reservation Calendar before booking your tickets to see if the dates you want to visit are available. (As of June 30, Theme Park Reservations aren't available past October 28.)

• Purchase a Park Hopper ticket for the most flexibility. A Park Hopper is basically a 2-in-1 ticket that gives you access to two parks in one day. Park-goers with Park Hopper tickets can begin hopping from one park to the other at 1 p.m. When booking a Theme Park Reservation for a Park Hopper ticket, you'll only need to book a reservation for your starting park. For example, if you're starting your Park Hopper ticket day at Disneyland, you'll only need a Theme Park Reservation for Disneyland.

• Add Genie+ to your tickets. Genie+ is the paid replacement version for Disney's free FastPass (discontinued) and MaxPass (discontinued). With Genie+, you'll get expedited access to some of your favorite attractions, like Big Thunder Mountain (one of my favorite rides!). Pro tip: Easily add Genie+ to your tickets when you book discount Disneyland tickets or a vacation package with Get Away Today.

  When people ask me if they need to buy Genie+, I usually tell them Genie+ is best for people who are visiting the parks for one to two days, only. Genie+ will help you maximize your time in the parks and get you on all the rides to your heart’s desire. If you’re visiting the parks for three-plus days, I recommend purchasing a 3-day-1-park-per-day ticket bundle and skipping Genie+. Three-plus days is more than enough time to explore the parks at your own pace without feeling like you have to cram everything into one day. Book now.

Disneyland Holiday Travel Guide: What to Eat, See, and Do

WHAT TO EAT

The holiday food menu at Disneyland hasn't been released yet. But for a limited time, park-goers could enjoy two special holiday treats — a Christmas Dinner Corn Dog with a side of cranberry sauce from Blue Ribbon Corn Dogs or a Peppermint Churro from California Churro in Downtown Disney — during Disneyland's Halfway to the Holidays Celebration from June 23 – 30. I'll update this section as more information becomes available.

WHAT TO SEE

Christmas at Disneyland is all about the nighttime spectaculars. Confirmed to return this year is "Believe... In Holiday Magic" fireworks at Disneyland and "World of Color — Season of Light" at Disney California Adventure!

"Believe... In Holiday Magic," fireworks is a magical nighttime show featuring holiday music and a snoapfall (snow made of soap), which you can enjoy in several areas around Disneyland, including Main Street, U.S.A., near the Rivers of America, and in front of It's A Small World.

Returning to Paradise Bay at Disney California Adventure is the nighttime spectacular "World of Color — Season of Light." This show blends winter fantasy with classic holiday songs from Disney and Pixar films across a wall of mist as fountains dance across Paradise Bay.

Also returning this year is the 7-foot gingerbread house in Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa lobby. This annual tradition is a new take on a replica of the hotel each year.

Last but not least, see Disney characters at the parks donning their holiday finest. Seriously, they are the cutest in their holiday gear!

WHAT TO DO

One of our favorite things to purchase at the Disney parks is a Christmas tree ornament to commemorate our vacation. Discover holiday treasures year-round at the Plaza Point Holiday Shoppe on Main Street, U.S.A. You can find holiday-themed merchandise, like ornaments, housewares, linens, and more. You can also get a personalized hand-painted ornament by talented cast members. I'll update this section as more information becomes available.

Editor's note: The blog post “What to Eat, See, and Do at Disneyland: Holiday Edition!” was first published on July 1, 2022, and it was updated on July 2 to include new information and photos about visiting the holidays at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California. This blog post is intended to help you plan your Disneyland holiday vacation. Please be mindful that the dates listed below are subject to change.